The Midianites made the lives of the Israelites miserable for years. God called Gideon to be a judge and deliver his people from oppression. After a time of preparation, the time came for the battle against the Lord’s enemies.
The strategy was after dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.
“Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do.
When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, “For the LORD and for Gideon'” (Judges 7:16-18).
Scholars think that the Midianites believed the three hundred men were accompanied by a much larger army. In fear and confusion, they turned on each other (verse 22) and fled in fear. Gideon called in reinforcements.
Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah (Judges 7:24).
Reflections
I don’t know what battle you are facing today. If you aren’t engaged in a battle, wait a while and you will be.
Jesus made it clear that his faithful followers would suffer conflict and more. Below are three verses from a long discussion that Jesus had with his followers about persecution and conflict.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues,
And you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:16-18).
There is only one way to win the battle. We win in the strength of the Lord. Jesus’ words are appropriate for anyone facing a battle.
“When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour;
For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20).
Just as the Holy Spirit was the power behind Gideon’s strategy and victory, the Spirit will guide us through difficult days.
Gideon’s Downfall
Gideon’s story takes a negative turn in chapter 8. He is exhausted and chasing the kings of Midian. He asks the officials of Succoth for provisions for his army, but is refused. The same thing happens when he requests refreshment from the people of Penuel.
The eighth chapter details the death of the kings of Midian and Gideon’s revenge on the two cities who refused his request.
Unfortunately, the moral downfall of Gideon is not over. The remainder of Judges 8 will detail how he returned to idolatry after he had seen the mighty work of God.
Apostasy
The theological term, “apostasy,” is best defined like this: We look truth right in the face and turn away to follow our own desires.
Here is a list of the truths about God that were revealed to Gideon.
- He had a personal encounter with the angel of the Lord, who was the pre-incarnate presence of Jesus.
- He was given the command and courage to destroy the Canaanite idols that permeated his culture.
- God gave Gideon three clear signs and a dream plus the interpretation, confirming his guidance.
- Gideon was empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a God-sized victory.
In spite of all of this, Gideon was overcome by self-centered desires. Once victorious, he turned away from devotion to God and served himself. His actions harmed himself, his family, and the nation.
It is one thing to study Gideon’s life as history. However, we do well to examine our lives in light of this flawed servant of the Lord.
- In what ways do we need the Holy Spirit’s aid to fight our battles?
- How have we looked the truth of God in the face and turned away to fulfill our self-centered desires?
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 