Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore. Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the EastThis phrase introduces the formidable coalition of enemies that Israel faced. The Midianites and Amalekites were traditional foes of Israel, often representing spiritual and physical opposition. Historically, the Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah ( Genesis 25:1-2), and the Amalekites were descendants of Esau ( Genesis 36:12). The "people of the East" likely refers to nomadic tribes from the Arabian desert. This coalition symbolizes the overwhelming odds against God's people, emphasizing the need for divine intervention. had settled in the valley
The valley mentioned here is the Valley of Jezreel, a strategic and fertile location in northern Israel. This area was often a battleground due to its agricultural richness and strategic importance. The settling of the enemy in this valley signifies a direct threat to Israel's sustenance and security. Spiritually, valleys often represent low points or challenges in life, where faith is tested. as numerous as locusts
The comparison to locusts highlights the vast number of the enemy forces. Locusts, in biblical times, were known for their destructive swarms that could devastate crops and livelihoods. This imagery conveys not only the sheer number of the enemy but also their potential to bring destruction and despair. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the overwhelming challenges believers may face, requiring reliance on God's power. and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore
Camels were a symbol of wealth and military strength in ancient times, used for transportation and carrying goods. The mention of camels being as countless as the sand on the seashore underscores the enemy's logistical advantage and preparedness for war. This hyperbolic expression is reminiscent of God's promise to Abraham about his descendants (Genesis 22:17), contrasting the enemy's temporary might with God's eternal promises. It serves as a reminder that no matter how insurmountable the opposition appears, God's covenant with His people remains steadfast. Persons / Places / Events 1. MidianitesA nomadic tribe descended from Midian, a son of Abraham by Keturah. They were oppressors of Israel during the time of the Judges. 2. AmalekitesA perennial enemy of Israel, descended from Esau. Known for their hostility towards the Israelites, they often allied with other tribes against Israel. 3. People of the EastThis term generally refers to various nomadic tribes from the Arabian desert region, often joining forces with the Midianites and Amalekites. 4. The ValleyRefers to the Valley of Jezreel, a strategic and fertile area in northern Israel, often a battleground due to its significance. 5. GideonThough not mentioned in this specific verse, Gideon is the central figure in this account, chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Overwhelming OddsDespite the enemy's vast numbers, God demonstrates His power and sovereignty by delivering Israel through Gideon. Trust in God's ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Faith Over FearGideon's account encourages believers to act in faith rather than fear, even when faced with overwhelming opposition. God often uses the weak to confound the strong. The Importance of ObedienceGideon's success was contingent on his obedience to God's unconventional battle plan. Obedience to God's instructions is crucial, even when they defy human logic. Spiritual WarfareThe physical battle against the Midianites symbolizes the spiritual battles believers face. Equip yourself with God's armor to stand firm against spiritual adversaries. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of the enemy in Judges 7:12 reflect the challenges we face in our spiritual lives today? 2. In what ways can we see God's hand at work in situations where we feel outnumbered or overwhelmed? 3. How does Gideon's account encourage us to trust in God's plans, even when they seem unconventional or risky? 4. What parallels can we draw between the physical battles in the Old Testament and the spiritual battles described in the New Testament? 5. How can we apply the lessons of faith and obedience from Gideon's account to our daily walk with Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17The Amalekites' first attack on Israel after the Exodus, highlighting their long-standing enmity. Genesis 22The promise to Abraham about his descendants being as numerous as the sand on the seashore, contrasting the overwhelming numbers of the enemy in Judges 7:12. Psalm 83A prayer for God to deal with Israel's enemies, including the Midianites and Amalekites, showing the ongoing struggle against these foes. People Abel, Amalek, Amalekites, Asher, Gideon, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Joash, Manasseh, Midianites, Naphtali, Oreb, Phurah, ZeebPlaces Abel-meholah, Beth-barah, Beth-shittah, Harod, Jordan River, Midian, Mount Gilead, Ophrah, Tabbath, ZererahTopics Along, Amalek, Amalekites, Amal'ekites, Camels, Counted, Covering, East, Eastern, Grasshoppers, Lay, Locust, Locusts, Lying, Midian, Midianites, Mid'ianites, Multitude, Numerous, Peoples, Sand, Seashore, Sea-shore, Seaside, Settled, Sons, Thick, ValleyDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 7:12 4360 sand
4669 locust Judges 7:8-12 4290 valleys Library A Great victory
TEXT: "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp, and all the host ran, and cried, and fled."--Judges 7:21. Few things in this world are so inspiring to the traveler and at the same time so depressing as a city or temple in ruins. I remember a delightful experience in passing through the ruins of Karnak and Luxor, on the Nile in Egypt, and later passing through Phylae at Assuan on the Nile; and these two thoughts, each the opposite of the other, kept constantly coming to my mind. …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotAugust 18. "The Three Hundred Blew the Trumpets" (Judges vii. 22).
"The three hundred blew the trumpets" (Judges vii. 22). We little dream, sometimes, what a hasty word, a thoughtless speech, an imprudent act, or a confession of unbelief and fear may do to hinder our highest usefulness, or turn it aside from some great opportunity which God has been preparing for us. Although the Holy Ghost uses weak men, He does not want them to be weak after He chooses and calls them. Although He uses the foolish things to confound the wise, He does not want us to be foolish after …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth 'Fit, Though Few'
'Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. 2. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. 3. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture A Battle Without a Sword
'And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley-bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. 14. And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. 15, And it was so, when Gideon heard the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation
1801-1832 The Bible Carey's missionary weapon--Other vernacular translators--Carey's modest but just description of his labours--His philological key--Type-cutting and type-casting by a Hindoo blacksmith--The first manufacture of paper and steam-engines in the East--Carey takes stock of the translation work at the opening of 1808--In his workshop--A seminary of Bible translators--William Yates, shoemaker, the Coverdale of the Bengali Bible--Wenger--A Bengali Luther wanted--Carey's Bengali Bible--How …
George Smith—The Life of William Carey The New Convert.
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John Newton—Olney Hymns Whether Divination by Auguries, Omens, and by Like Observations of External Things is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by auguries, omens, and by like observations of external things is not unlawful. If it were unlawful holy men would not make use thereof. Now we read of Joseph that he paid attention to auguries, for it is related (Gn. 44:5) that Joseph's steward said: "The cup which you have stolen is that in which my lord drinketh and in which he is wont to divine [augurari]": and he himself afterwards said to his brethren (Gn. 44:15): "Know you not that there is no one …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Fear is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that fear is not a mortal sin. For, as stated above ([3323]FS, Q[23], A[1]), fear is in the irascible faculty which is a part of the sensuality. Now there is none but venial sin in the sensuality, as stated above ([3324]FS, Q[74], A[4]). Therefore fear is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, every mortal sin turns the heart wholly from God. But fear does not this, for a gloss on Judges 7:3, "Whosoever is fearful," etc., says that "a man is fearful when he trembles at the …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Immanuel
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name IMMANUEL , God with us. T here is a signature of wisdom and power impressed upon the works of God, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men. Not only the splendour of the sun, but the glimmering light of the glow-worm proclaims His glory. The structure and growth of a blade of grass, are the effects of the same power which produced the fabric of the heavens and the earth. In His Word likewise He is …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 7:12 NIVJudges 7:12 NLTJudges 7:12 ESVJudges 7:12 NASBJudges 7:12 KJV
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