And as Gideon arrived, a man was telling his friend about a dream. "Behold, I had a dream," he said, "and I saw a loaf of barley bread come tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent so hard that the tent overturned and collapsed." Gideon arrivedThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative. Gideon, whose name means "hewer" or "one who cuts down," arrives at the precise moment to overhear a conversation that would bolster his faith. The timing of his arrival is divinely orchestrated, emphasizing God's sovereignty and perfect timing in the unfolding of His plans. Historically, Gideon is a judge of Israel, chosen by God to deliver His people from the oppression of the Midianites, a nomadic people who had been raiding Israel. just as a man was telling his friend about a dream
Dreams in the ancient Near East were often considered messages from the divine. This context highlights the significance of the dream as a means of divine communication. The fact that Gideon overhears this conversation underscores the providential nature of God's guidance. The Hebrew word for "dream" (חֲלוֹם, chalom) suggests a vision or revelation, indicating that God is revealing His will and assurance to Gideon through this seemingly ordinary exchange. Behold, I had a dream
The word "Behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is an attention-grabbing term, used frequently in Scripture to draw the reader's focus to something significant. The speaker's declaration of having a dream sets the stage for a revelation that is both unexpected and profound. In the biblical narrative, dreams often serve as a medium for God to communicate His plans, as seen in the accounts of Joseph and Daniel. a loaf of barley bread
Barley was considered a humble grain, often associated with the poor or those of low status. The imagery of a barley loaf symbolizes the seemingly insignificant and weak nature of Gideon's army, which God uses to achieve a great victory. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God uses the weak and humble to confound the mighty, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27. came tumbling into the Midianite camp
The action of the loaf "tumbling" (הָפַךְ, haphak) suggests an unexpected and unstoppable force. This imagery conveys the idea that God's intervention, though it may appear small or insignificant at first, is powerful and effective. The Midianite camp represents the oppressive forces against Israel, and the dream foreshadows their impending defeat. It struck a tent, overturned it, and flattened it
The tent, a symbol of the Midianite presence and power, is struck, overturned, and flattened by the barley loaf. This sequence of actions illustrates the totality of the victory that God will grant to Gideon and his men. The Hebrew word for "overturned" (הָפַךְ, haphak) is the same used for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, indicating a complete and decisive overthrow. The flattening of the tent signifies the utter defeat and humiliation of the Midianites, reinforcing the message that God is the ultimate source of victory for His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He is known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God. 2. Midianite CampThe encampment of the Midianites, who were oppressing Israel at the time. They were numerous and powerful, causing fear among the Israelites. 3. The DreamerAn unnamed Midianite soldier who recounts his dream to a fellow soldier, which becomes a pivotal moment in the account. 4. Barley LoafSymbolic in the dream, representing something seemingly insignificant (like Gideon's small army) that causes a great impact. 5. The TentRepresents the Midianite power and presence, which is overturned by the barley loaf in the dream, symbolizing their impending defeat. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Unlikely CircumstancesGod often uses the unexpected and the humble to accomplish His purposes, as seen in the dream of the barley loaf. The Power of Divine RevelationDreams and visions can be a means through which God communicates His plans, as demonstrated in the Midianite soldier's dream. Faith Over FearGideon's account encourages believers to trust in God's power rather than be overwhelmed by the apparent strength of their adversaries. The Importance of ObedienceGideon's eventual obedience to God's command, despite his initial fear, leads to victory, highlighting the importance of following God's guidance. God's Assurance in Times of DoubtJust as God reassured Gideon through signs and the dream, He provides assurance to believers in their moments of doubt. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the dream of the barley loaf reflect God's ability to use the weak to overcome the strong, and how can this encourage us in our personal challenges? 2. In what ways does Gideon's account demonstrate the importance of seeking and trusting God's guidance, even when it seems counterintuitive? 3. How can we discern and respond to God's revelations in our lives today, similar to how Gideon responded to the dream? 4. What are some modern-day "Midianite camps" (challenges or oppressions) that we face, and how can we apply the lessons from Gideon's victory to overcome them? 5. How does the account of Gideon and the Midianite dream connect with other biblical examples of God using dreams to reveal His plans, and what does this teach us about God's communication methods? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 6:36-40Gideon's request for signs from God, showing his need for reassurance and God's patience in providing it. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29The concept of God using the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong and wise, paralleling the use of Gideon's small army to defeat the Midianites. Daniel 2:31-45The interpretation of dreams as a means of divine revelation, similar to how the Midianite soldier's dream reveals God's plan. 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 Account, Along, Arrived, Barley, Barley-bread, Behold, Bread, Cake, Camp, Collapsed, Companion, Comrade, Dream, Dreamed, Fallen, Falleth, Falling, Fell, Fellow, Flat, Follow, Force, Friend, Gideon, Giving, Host, Itself, Lay, Loaf, Midian, Mid'ian, Midianite, Overturned, Overturning, Recounting, Relating, Rolled, Round, Saying, Smiteth, Smote, Stretched, Struck, Telling, Tent, Tents, Tumbled, Tumbling, Turneth, Turning, Upside, UpwardsDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 7:13 4456 grain
5578 tents Judges 7:13-14 1443 revelation, OT Judges 7:13-15 1409 dream
5244 camp 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 7:13 NIVJudges 7:13 NLTJudges 7:13 ESVJudges 7:13 NASBJudges 7:13 KJV
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