The account of Gideon focuses on his weakness. He is a frightened, timid person who is not heroic but yet, His God is great enough.
(A) An army not small enough (7:1-8)
As Gideon’s army is poised for battle with the Midianites, God names a problem — the army Gideon had is too big for the task God had planned (Jdg 7:2). God also diagnoses a spiritual problem — “lest Israel boast over me” (Jdg 7:2). Hence, Gideon was told to whittle down the army and call those who are fearful to return home. 22,000 people returned and only 10,000 remained. After all, as we will see later in the narrative, they faced a formidable enemy (c.f. Jdg 7:12, 8:10).
Yet, this was still too big a group (Jdg 7:4). God told Gideon that He will test them for him (Jdg 7:4) and Gideon brought the people to the water (Jdg 7:5). There, God told him to separate those who lapped the water and those who knelt to drink (Jdg 7:5). 300 people lapped, putting their hands to their mouth and God said that he will use these 300 to save Israel (Jdg 7:6-7). We don’t know with certainty why God chose these 300, but we can see that God had a plan and reason.
God also makes it clear that these 300 were not chosen because they were great fighters (Jdg 7:7-8). God was making sure that there is no human basis for the army to boast or think that they are elite.
From Deuteronomy 8:17-18 and 9:4,6, we see how God did not want His people to receive blessing in such a way that they forget who gave it to them. They desire for them to receive gifts without losing sight of the Giver. His people are to remember their limits, size and proportion as a function — or lack thereof — of their deservingness. He is seeking a people who is small enough in their own eyes, who are poor in spirit and hunger and thirst for righteousness.
God wants His people to know grace, and not to confuse gracious blessing with merit. Blessing, like suffering, is also a test of faith. When God answers our prayers, what do we do and say? Blessings are a test to help us see if we are big in our own eyes, or if we keep God in mind and sight.
Is your heart cold? Are you bored with Jesus? Are we too big in our own eyes that we think we genuinely deserve these blessings?
(B) A leader not brave enough (Jdg 7:9-25)
That same night, God tells Gideon to arise and go down against the camp, for God has given it into his hand (Jdg 7:9). God knows his fear and anciety, and tells him to go down to the camp with his servant Purah if he is afraid (Jdg 7:10). There, he shall hear what they say and his hands be strengthened (Jdg 7:11).
The Lord notices Gideon’s fear and provides a means to be strengthened ahead of time. What kind of a God is this? God knows how much His plans do not look like ours. He also knows that we will struggle when we look at His plans. But He will also provide the equipping so that He can send the man that He has called to do what He has planned.
Are you struggling with something that God is calling you to? Do not assume that the likelihood of failure means that God is not there. Trust God to equip you to do what He has called you to! Be encouraged by Psalm 31:23-24: “Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!”
Now, the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, their camels were without number and like the abundant sand on the seashore (Jdg 7:12). Gideon overhears a conversation between a Midianite man and his comrade, who was recounting his dream (Jdg 7:13).
The dream is significant and God is using this man to encourage Gideon. In this dream, Gideon is a cake of barley bread that tumbled into the camp of Midian, came to the tent, struck it and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat (Jdg 7:13). This is supposed to be a comical depiction and so is the man’s interpretation. The Midianite took this to mean that Gideon, a brave individual, is about to destroy Midian (Jdg 7:14).
We already know that Gideon is no brave hero. God knows and also uses his fears to encourage him. Encouragement can come in ways that we do not expect too. Ultimately, through the mouth of the Midianite, God was reminding Gideon that He has given into his hand Midian and all the camp (Jdg 7:14).
Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, and he worshipped and even called the camp of Israel to proceed in battle (Jdg 7:15). Isn’t this relatable? We can be worried one minute, and be encouraged the next. Our faith and fears seem to wax and wane. Let us not look to our emotions to determine how we will act.
Gideon divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into their hands and empty jars with torches inside the jars (Jdg 7:16). He did not bring any swords. He told them to blow the trumpets when he blows his trumpet and shout, “For the LORD and for Gideon” (Jdg 7:18). Even here, we see a bit of his heart — one that seems to also act for himself.
We are encouraged when we view our circumstances differently — in light of who God is, what He has said and done.
What is your “300 men”, that you absolutely do not want? Remember that God can encourage you with His word. His word is enough.
The people did just as Gideon said (Jdg 7:19-20). When they blew the 300 trumpets, the LORD set every mans sword against his comrade and against all the army (Jdg 7:22). The other tribes also joined the battle (Jdg 7:23). They captured the princes and killed them at their homes and their heads were brought back to Gideon (Jdg 7:25).
The battle belongs to the Lord, and through weak men, the Lord is able to do mighty things.
Who are your heroes in the faith? Have they done great things for the Lord? If you have never read any Christian history, it is a good time to consider reading and even aspiring to be like them. What is your ambition in life? Read the stories of those that have gone before us, and be encouraged to join the fight.
Now, the greatest heroes in the Bible and church history are also known for their weakness. Yet, it is also amazing to see how God takes and uses them.
As we read Isaiah 40:28-31, we see that this is the kind of God that Judges 7 describes. God could take one like Gideon — faint, weary and hiding — to achieve victory in battle. And notice how Gideon did not really do anything. Victory belongs to the Lord who does amazing things with ordinary, weak people. What can the Lord do with you? Let us pray that the God will use us like how He used Gideon.
(C) The man who is strong enough (Jdg 8:1-21)
Then, the men from Ephraim, who joined the battle later in Judges 7:24, came to Gideon and accused him fiercely (Jdg 8:1). Gideon seems to placate and pacify them by pointing to their great achievements using flattery. We don’t know much about his motives, but perhaps, like what Proverbs 15:1 wisely tells us, a soft answer turns away wrath.
Here, we see more of his personality as a leader. Previously, he was afraid and hiding, but as a leader he is rather shrewd and savvy.
Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed it with the 300 men (Jdg 8:4). They were exhausted yet pursuing, and told the men of Succoth to give him bread. They refuse and he threatens them with vengeance and violence (Jdg 8:7-9). This is a man who swung quite quickly from being timid and afraid, to being bold, and also vindictive and harsh in his boldness. Yes, the Lord had given him victory but here, he is presuming that every act of goodwill is an entitlement.
The book of Judges is difficult to teach children because it is not clear who are the good and bad guys. Here, Gideon is acting in this way because he assumes God will act for him. Gideon serves as a warning for us. We can feel blessed by the Lord and also conduct ourselves in terrible ways. Friends, we are not the saviour but when we receive HIs favour, we can be so quick and harsh against those who we think do not deserve grace.
Eventually, Zebah and Zalmunna were brought to him (Jdg 8:18). Gideon orders Jether, his firstborn to kill them but he was afraid — just like Gideon was at the beginning (Jdg 8:20). Zebah and Zalmunna call Gideon to kill them instead, “for as the man is, so is his strength” (Jdg 8:21). Gideon does so and takes the crescent ornaments that were on the necks of their camels (Jdg 8:21b). These symbolised the idols of the people.
If we are defined by our strength, we are not defined by God. Notice how there is virtually no mention of the Lord in this chapter. God is not mentioned in the deliberations and battles. Instead, what takes centrestage is Gideon’s own strength, and this takes him to idolatry.
Today, do we practice meritocracy, where we believe that our decisions make us who we are. But friends, this is not what the gospel is. Romans 5:6 tells us that “for while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly”. And in Romans 8:26, we also read, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
God did not define us by our strength but looked at us with mercy, sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
What is it that you want from the Lord? What will you ask Him for after reading this passage? Ask Him above all, for Jesus, who is strength in weakness and is all the grace that we need.