So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred men, who took charge of the provisions and rams' horns of the others. And the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tentsThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Gideon. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) often implies a deliberate action, suggesting Gideon's obedience to God's command to reduce his army. Historically, this reduction from 32,000 to 300 men underscores a divine strategy that defies human logic, emphasizing reliance on God's power rather than military might. The "tents" symbolize a place of rest and waiting, indicating that those sent away were not abandoned but set aside for a purpose beyond immediate battle. but kept the three hundred men The selection of the "three hundred men" is significant. The number 300, though small, is chosen by God to demonstrate His strength in weakness. The Hebrew word for "kept" (חָזַק, chazaq) implies a firm hold or strengthening, suggesting that these men were not only retained but empowered by God for the task ahead. This remnant reflects a recurring biblical theme where God uses a faithful few to achieve His purposes, highlighting the importance of quality over quantity in spiritual warfare. who took the provisions and trumpets of the others The "provisions and trumpets" are symbolic of preparation and proclamation. The Hebrew term for "provisions" (צֵידָה, tzedah) refers to sustenance, indicating that the 300 were equipped with what was necessary for the mission. The "trumpets" (שׁוֹפָרוֹת, shofarot) are particularly significant in biblical history, often used to signal God's presence and to rally His people. This imagery foreshadows the unconventional battle strategy that relies on divine intervention rather than conventional warfare. And the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley The "camp of Midian" represents the formidable enemy that Israel faces. The Midianites, historically known as a nomadic people, were oppressors of Israel, and their presence in the "valley" signifies a strategic disadvantage for them. The valley, in biblical symbolism, often represents a place of testing and confrontation. Gideon's position above the Midianites suggests a divinely orchestrated advantage, reinforcing the theme that God elevates His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God, Gideon becomes a mighty warrior through faith and obedience. 2. The Three Hundred MenA select group of warriors chosen by God through Gideon to defeat the Midianites. Their selection was based on their method of drinking water, demonstrating God's power in using the few to overcome the many. 3. The IsraelitesThe people of God, who were oppressed by the Midianites due to their disobedience. They are sent back to their tents, highlighting God's plan to deliver them through a small, faithful remnant. 4. The MidianitesA nomadic people who oppressed Israel for seven years. They are encamped in the valley, representing the formidable enemy that God would deliver into Gideon's hands. 5. The ValleyThe geographical location where the Midianite camp was situated, symbolizing the low point of Israel's oppression and the stage for God's miraculous deliverance. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in SelectionGod chooses whom He will use, often selecting the unlikely or the few to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His sovereignty and power. Faith Over NumbersVictory in God's kingdom is not dependent on numbers or human strength but on faith and obedience to His commands. Preparation and ProvisionThe 300 men took provisions and trumpets, symbolizing readiness and reliance on God's provision rather than human resources. Trust in God's PlanEven when God's methods seem unconventional or insufficient by human standards, trust in His plan leads to victory. Spiritual WarfareThe battle against the Midianites is a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face, where reliance on God and His strategies is crucial. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the selection of the 300 men reflect God's character and His ways of working in our lives today? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "faith over numbers" in our personal and communal spiritual battles? 3. How does the account of Gideon encourage us to trust in God's provision and preparation, even when it seems inadequate by worldly standards? 4. What are some modern-day "Midianites" (challenges or oppressors) that believers face, and how can Gideon's account inspire us to confront them? 5. How can we relate the concept of spiritual warfare in Judges 7:8 to the New Testament teachings on the armor of God and spiritual battles? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 14Jonathan and his armor-bearer defeat the Philistines, illustrating how God can save by many or by few, similar to Gideon's victory with 300 men. 2 Corinthians 12:9Paul's teaching on God's power being made perfect in weakness parallels the account of Gideon, where God's strength is demonstrated through a small, seemingly weak group. Zechariah 4:6The principle that victory comes "not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," aligns with the way God orchestrates Gideon's victory. A Sifting Among the Defenders of the Faith | R. A. Watson, M. A. | Judges 7:1-8 | Backing Out of God's Service | Marcus Dods, D. D. | Judges 7:1-8 | Divinely-Ordained Tests | A.F. Muir | Judges 7:1-8 | Fit Men for the Fight | A. Maclaren, D. D. | Judges 7:1-8 | Gideon and the Three Hundred | J. B. Brown, B. A. | Judges 7:1-8 | Gideon's Army | Sermons by the Monday Club | Judges 7:1-8 | Gideon's Army | Edward B. Mason. | Judges 7:1-8 | Gideon's Band | R. J. Campbell, B. A. | Judges 7:1-8 | Gideon's Three Hundred | T. Kelly. | Judges 7:1-8 | Gideon's Three Hundred | J. McNeill. | Judges 7:1-8 | Pride Excluded | G. A. Rogers, M. A. | Judges 7:1-8 | Testing-Points in Life | R. A. Watson, M. A. | Judges 7:1-8 | The Best Work of the World Done by the Few | J. Parker, D. D. | Judges 7:1-8 | The Reduced Army | A. Roberts, M. A. | Judges 7:1-8 | The Revelation of Character | Christian Age | Judges 7:1-8 | The Sifting | W. W. Duncan, M. A | Judges 7:1-8 | The Three Hundred Men that Lapped | Canon Newbolt. | Judges 7:1-8 | The Trial of Gideon's Army by the Proclamation | F. Elwin. | Judges 7:1-8 | The Trial of Gideon's Army by the Water | F. Elwin. | Judges 7:1-8 | Why Were the Fearful Dismissed | A. Maclaren, D. D. | Judges 7:1-8 |
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 Below, Beneath, Camp, Gideon, Hands, Hold, Horns, Host, Hundred, Israelites, Jars, Keeping, Kept, Lay, Lower, Midian, Mid'ian, People's, Provision, Provisions, Rest, Retained, Tent, Tents, Trumpets, Valley, Vessels, VictualsDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 7:8 5595 trumpet Judges 7:1-8 5266 conscription Judges 7:8-11 5244 camp 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. … 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 7:8 NIVJudges 7:8 NLTJudges 7:8 ESVJudges 7:8 NASBJudges 7:8 KJV
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