Session 10
Judges 7:1-8,19-23
Memory Verse: Judges 7:2
In a culture (including our churches) obsessed with big numbers, where quantity often supersedes quality, it’s hard to imagine God downsizing in a plan for victory. And yet that’s exactly what takes place in this session. As Gideon learned how to trust God more, the Lord continued to provide new opportunities for him to grow in his faith.
Whereas God wants to include human beings in His work, He also wants it clearly understood that He is the only One who does the saving. As a result, all the glory belongs to Him. At every turn in his story, Gideon found that God had a plan, and he needed to trust that plan-even when it didn’t make sense.
As you prepare for this session, reflect on the times that God has led you safely through your battles and struggles, perhaps using strategies you weren’t expecting. Thank Him for these moments, and ask Him to help you trust Him more in the future because of what He has done for you in the past. Ask Him to guide you in leading the adults in your Bible study so they can see Him as He really is.
The expression, “Cinderella story,” is an analogy that originates from the children’s story of “Cinderella.” It refers to someone who has come from obscurity to surprisingly gain significant recognition or success. Most people enjoy a good Cinderella story. Someone like Abraham Lincoln, who came from a humble background to become president, is an example of a Cinderella story. There are many occasions in the Bible when God used unlikely people to do extraordinary things so that He would receive the glory. (PSG, p. 91)
A key kingdom principle confirmed throughout Scripture is that God delights in accomplishing His will through His selected servants. It’s not as though He needs our help. After all, creation and redemption were carried out through the collective work of the Trinity.
Yet, when it comes to advancing His kingdom, God has included the crown jewel of His creation, those crafted in His image. In general, He takes pleasure in calling those who are relatively unknown, least likely, or unheralded.
That certainly rang true in the era of the judges. From approximately 1350-1050 BC, God raised up a slate of twelve leaders-mostly from obscurity-to gain victory over Israel’s enemies.
Gideon proved to be one of the more significant judges in the group. Yet, he didn’t start out that way. The youngest member of one of the weakest families in his tribe (Manasseh), Gideon had done nothing to distinguish himself before God called him. In fact, when the Lord did come calling, Gideon was hiding from the Midianites, trying to gather enough food to stay alive.
It’s not always the most famous or most talented people who make the biggest impact in the kingdom. Plenty of talented servants have fallen by the wayside, victims of their own foibles.
Trust matters most. We enter into a relationship with Christ based on trust. We thrive in that relationship through trust as well. Someone once said, “there’s no limit to what a person can accomplish, as long as they don’t care who gets the credit.” Filtering that through a kingdom perspective, we can say that “there’s no limit to what God can do through a person who cares most about giving Him all the credit.” As Gideon learned, giving God the glory is what matters most.
God did lead Gideon and Israel to a miraculous victory over the Midianites (Judg. 7:1-8:21). But soon after that triumph, readers see the cycle of sin return. Gideon refused to be made a king, noting that God alone was Israel’s true Ruler. Yet, he requested gold from the people to make an ephod (8:22-27; see
Ex. 28:6-14). Gideon placed the ephod in his hometown of Ophrah, indicating that he wanted people to remember his role in their deliverance. It did not take long for this ephod to become an idol. Sadly, Gideon’s later life focused more on himself than on God. The people followed his example by returning to idolatry.
Abimelech, Gideon’s son, continued this downward spiral of his father, taking on the role of a king. Eventually, his ambition led to his downfall. Another judge, Jephthah, followed a similar and devastating path. Meanwhile, Israel continued to struggle with enemies, including the Ammonites and the Philistines.
As you read Judges 7:1-8,19-23, identify how Israel continued its downward spirals of unfaithfulness to the Lord. (PSG, p. 92)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the troops who were with him, got up early and camped beside the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them, below the hill of Moreh, in the valley. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many troops for me to hand the Midianites over to them, or else Israel might elevate themselves over me and say, ‘I saved myself.’ 3 Now announce to the troops, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of the troops turned back, but ten thousand remained.
Three significant events took place to confirm Gideon’s call in Judges 6. First, Gideon built an altar to the Lord. Once he had offered a young goat and unleavened bread on the altar, fire came down from heaven to consume the offering. The angel also extended a word of peace, assuring Gideon that he would not die (Judg. 6:23). In response, he built an altar there.
Next, Gideon tore down Baal’s altar. Per God’s instructions, Gideon offered a second offering, bravely tearing down a pagan altar and building one for the Lord in its place (vv. 26-27). Not surprisingly, this put Gideon’s life in danger. However, his father intervened and convinced the Baal worshipers that any real deity could “plead his own case” (v. 31). This earned Gideon the name Jerubaal, which means “let
Baal contend.”
Finally, Gideon asked God for a sign. He wanted one last piece of assurance that God was truly behind this call and would fulfill His promises. He began by placing a fleece outside. This is the only mention of a fleece in the Old Testament and likely described a patch of sheep’s wool left over from a
recent shearing.
In this test, Gideon asked God to make the fleece wet with dew, while the ground around it remained dry. After God responded to that request, Gideon reversed the request, asking the Lord to keep the fleece dry, while the ground got wet (vv. 36-40). Again, God miraculously complied with the request.
With both signs confirmed, Gideon got up early and camped with the troops he had assembled from the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali (6:35). The Israelites took a spot beside the spring of Harod, also known as the “fountain of trembling.” This spring was situated near the hill of Moreh, slightly northeast of Ophrah. Meanwhile, the Midianites were camped to the north of them. They were settled in the valley, just below Moreh.
Gideon’s faith would face an even greater test. Though massively outnumbered already, God said that Gideon had too many troops for the battle. The phrase for me to hand the Midianites over to them again highlighted God’s role in bringing the victory to His people.
The Lord wanted to make sure His people wouldn’t mistakenly think they defeated the Midianites in their own strength. He stated clearly that the Israelites would have no reason to elevate themselves. Later in Israel’s history, David echoed this theme, noting that while some trusted chariots and horses, God’s people should take pride only in His name (Ps. 20:7).
To downsize the army, God ordered Gideon to allow anyone who was fearful and trembling to go home. As a result, twenty-two thousand soldiers left, while ten thousand remained. Gideon must have been shocked, especially since Midian’s army wasn’t shrinking.
Spend time praying Scripture using Judges 7:2. Read the verse, then respond to these questions:
Thank God for walking with you and providing victories in your life. Ask Him to help you avoid the temptation to trust your own strength and commit to giving Him the glory in every circumstance.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
4 Then the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many troops. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one can go with you,’ he can go. But if I say about anyone, ‘This one cannot go with you,’ he cannot go.” 5 So he brought the troops down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon, “Separate everyone who laps water with his tongue like a dog. Do the same with everyone who kneels to drink.” 6 The number of those who lapped with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men, and all the rest of the troops knelt to drink water. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the three hundred men who lapped and hand the Midianites over to you. But everyone else is to go home.”
8 So Gideon sent all the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred troops, who took the provisions and their rams’ horns. The camp of Midian was below him in the valley.
It’s hard to think about large numbers hindering the work of God. After all, Billy Graham preached to more than 200 million people in his lifetime. Plus, we love seeing churches grow, because those numbers represent real people.
Yet, numbers also can become an idol. God saw that danger in regard to Gideon’s army. Even after two thirds of the soldiers went home because they were afraid, God still told Gideon that he had too many troops. So, the Lord devised an unusual plan to reduce the number even more.
God told Gideon to lead his soldiers down to the water so He could test them. This probably refers to the spring of Harod mentioned in verse 1. While Gideon would give the instructions, the Lord made it clear that He would make the ultimate decision on whether this one can go and this one cannot go.
The test involved how a soldier drank from the pool. God said a man who laps water . . . like a dog should be separated from one who kneels to drink. Some scholars suggest that this was a test of vigilance. Those who put their faces in the water to drink could not watch for the enemy as well as those who cupped the water in their hands. Since the writer did not explain God’s reasons, though, this is speculative. The emphasis was placed on God’s glory.
Whatever the case, God pared Gideon’s army once again. Of the ten thousand solders who did not go home out of fear, 9,700 knelt and lapped water like a dog. Only three hundred, less than one percent of the original thirty-two thousand, lapped with their hands to their mouths.
Finally, God had Gideon and the Israelite army where He wanted it. The ultimate victory would guarantee that He got the glory. Even with the troop count downsized again, God promised I will deliver you. Regardless of the massive army gathered in the valley, the Lord would hand the Midianites over to you. God would do what needed to be done with three hundred men who lapped. The rest could go home.
Throughout Scripture, God’s promise to fight for His people is not uncommon. God told Moses that He would bring Israel out of Egyptian slavery by the power of His hand (Ex. 6:6-9). Later, He assured the Israelites that He would fight their wars and give them the victory (Deut. 20:4). This promise was renewed for Joshua before Israel’s second battle against Ai (Josh. 10:8). Battles continue to this day, yet God has never stopped fighting for His people (2 Cor. 1:10).
The Bible does not say how Gideon felt about the reduction of troops. It just highlights His obedience, sending the majority of his army to their tents. The rest got ready for the upcoming battle. The three hundred remaining soldiers took their provisions and their rams’ horns and moved out from the spring. Meanwhile, the enemy awaited them in the valley.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
19 Gideon and the hundred men who were with him went to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch after the sentries had been stationed. They blew their rams’ horns and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. 20 The three companies blew their rams’ horns and shattered their pitchers. They held their torches in their left hands and their rams’ horns to blow in their right hands, and they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army began to run, and they cried out as they fled. 22 When Gideon’s men blew their three hundred rams’ horns, the Lord caused the men in the whole army to turn on each other with their swords. They fled to Acacia House in the direction of Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.
23 Then the men of Israel were called from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, and they pursued the Midianites.
Later that night, the Lord again guaranteed a win, giving Gideon some extra encouragement. Sneaking down to the enemy’s camp, Gideon overhead two Midianites talking about a dream. In a nutshell, these soldiers recognized that God was going to use Gideon to crush their army (Judg. 7:9-15).
Gideon divided his soldiers into three groups to surround the Midianite camp, but God again sent Him in an unexpected direction. Instead of swords and spears, each man got a rams’ horn trumpet, an empty pitcher, and a torch. Then, Gideon told them to follow his lead in blowing their horns and smashing their pitchers (7:16-18).
The middle watch likely refers to a time around midnight, when all but the Midianite sentries would be asleep. But Gideon’s army disrupted the stillness. Coordinating their actions, all three companies blew their rams’ horns and broke the pitchers. Holding their torches, they also cried out, A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!
In considering the impact this upheaval would have on Midian, let’s start with the noise. The sound of three hundred horns and the screams of three hundred men must have been daunting, especially if most of the army was asleep. Next, think about the flames from three hundred torches. This would have lit up the night and disoriented the enemy.
Unorthodox battle plans are not unprecedented with God. In Joshua 6, God led Joshua’s army to attack Jericho by marching around the city, blowing rams’ horns, and yelling.
Often in Scripture, God’s people emerge victorious when the enemy turned on themselves. That’s exactly what happened to the Midianites. Once God’s army attacked, the enemy imploded. The Lord caused Gideon’s enemies to turn on each other and destroy themselves with swords. God had done exactly what He said He would do.
While each member of Israel’s army took his position around Midian’s camp, they didn’t need to do a thing because God had everything under control. Any Midianites who escaped the slaughter began to run, crying out in fear as they fled. The writer of Judges noted that they headed toward Acacia House in the direction of Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. Although the exact location of these places is unknown, the understanding is they fled east, across the Jordan River.
Earlier, Gideon had recruited soldiers from several tribes (Judg. 6:35), but God had sent most of them home. Now, men from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh joined in the battle and pursued the Midianites. It is not clear if God had given Gideon His blessing to call these new men, possibly from those rejected earlier, into the battle.
It is possible that Gideon, caught up in the overwhelming triumph, called these men back into service despite God’s directions. The final verses of chapter 7 note that he also called for volunteers from Ephraim, a tribe that did not come as part of Gideon’s original call for help in chapter 6.
The Lord fulfilled His word and gave Israel an incredible victory. He still stands ready to go into any battle for His people. The size of the enemy means nothing when we remember the size of our God.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 99 of the Personal Study Guide:
Lead the group to discuss their main takeaways from each point. Encourage them to read and reflect on the first question set on page 99 of the PSG. Urge them to list two or three ways they can glorify God in the margin of their PSG.
Guide the group to discuss the second question set on page 99 of the PSG. Allow volunteers to share what makes trusting God so hard sometimes. Remind them that God often works in ways we don’t expect, so we need to trust Him.
Enlist a volunteer to read Joshua 7:2 aloud. Point out that this is the memory verse for this session. Challenge them to continue using Pack Item 9 (Handout: Praying Scripture in Joshua, Judges, Ruth) to pray through this verse during the week. Close the session in prayer, thanking God that His ways of working are always the best ways. Pray that the group would be aware of God’s work for His glory
around them.
Reinforce the session by sending a text or email to the group. Include the text for Judges 7:2 and ask: Where have you seen God at work this week? Encourage the group to “reply all” with their responses as a way to encourage one another. Explain that the next session will focus on the final leader mentioned in the book of Judges: Samson. Suggest they read Judges 13-16 to prepare for the session.
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. (See Psalm 47:8; Job 42:2.)
Respond emotionally to a passage from Scripture.
Gideon had his doubts when God said He would deliver Israel through him. He also may have wondered why God so drastically reduced his army. Prayerfully consider times when you had questions about what God was doing. How do you tend to respond when God doesn’t make sense in your life? What can you do to trust Him more fully?