Then the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and they pursued the Midianites. Then the men of IsraelThis phrase signifies a collective action by the Israelites, emphasizing unity and obedience to God's call. The term "men of Israel" refers to the warriors from the tribes of Israel, highlighting their identity as God's chosen people. Historically, the Israelites were often called to battle under divine guidance, and this moment reflects their readiness to act in faith. The Hebrew root for "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el) means "God prevails," reminding us of the divine power that undergirds their efforts. were called
The calling of the men signifies a divine summons to action. In the Hebrew context, a call often implies a response to God's will. This calling is not merely a human initiative but a response to God's deliverance plan. The Hebrew verb "קָרָא" (qara) can mean to call out or proclaim, suggesting a public and authoritative summons that demands attention and action. from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh
These tribes represent a significant portion of the northern tribes of Israel. Naphtali and Asher were located in the northern part of the Promised Land, while Manasseh was a large tribe with territories on both sides of the Jordan River. The inclusion of these tribes indicates a broad coalition against the Midianites, showing that the threat was significant enough to unite these diverse groups. Historically, these tribes had varying degrees of military strength and resources, but their unity here underscores the importance of collective action in the face of oppression. and they pursued the Midianites
The pursuit of the Midianites marks a turning point in the battle, demonstrating the Israelites' shift from defense to offense. The verb "pursued" (רָדַף, radaph) in Hebrew conveys a sense of relentless pursuit, often used in military contexts to describe chasing down an enemy. This action reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the Midianites into the hands of Israel, as seen earlier in the chapter. The Midianites, historically known as nomadic traders and raiders, had oppressed Israel, and their defeat signifies God's deliverance and justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonThe judge chosen by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. He led a small army to victory through God's guidance. 2. MidianitesA nomadic people who oppressed Israel for seven years. They were defeated by Gideon's army through divine intervention. 3. Naphtali, Asher, and ManassehTribes of Israel. Men from these tribes were called to join the pursuit of the fleeing Midianites after Gideon's initial victory. 4. The PursuitFollowing the miraculous victory, the Israelites pursued the remaining Midianite forces to ensure a complete defeat. 5. The BattleThis event is part of a larger account where God reduces Gideon's army to 300 men to demonstrate His power and ensure that the victory is attributed to Him alone. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in DeliveranceGod orchestrates events to demonstrate His power and ensure that glory is given to Him alone. Gideon's victory with a small army is a testament to God's sovereignty. The Call to ActionAfter the initial victory, the men of Israel are called to pursue the enemy. This teaches us that while God grants victory, we are also called to actively participate in His plans. Unity Among God's PeopleThe tribes of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh come together for a common cause. Unity among believers is crucial in fulfilling God's purposes. Faith and ObedienceGideon's account emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience to God's instructions, even when they seem illogical by human standards. God's Strength in Our WeaknessThe reduction of Gideon's army highlights that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, encouraging us to rely on Him rather than our own abilities. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Gideon and the pursuit of the Midianites illustrate the principle of God's strength being made perfect in weakness? (Consider 2 Corinthians 12:9) 2. In what ways can we, like the men of Israel, be ready to respond to God's call to action in our lives today? 3. How does the unity of the tribes in pursuing the Midianites serve as a model for the church's mission today? (Reflect on Ephesians 4:3) 4. What are some modern-day "Midianites" (challenges or oppressors) that we face, and how can we apply the lessons from Gideon's account to overcome them? 5. How can we ensure that we give God the glory for victories in our lives, as demonstrated in the account of Gideon? (Consider Psalm 115:1) Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 6-8Provides the full context of Gideon's account, including his calling, the reduction of his army, and the eventual victory over the Midianites. Exodus 15The song of Moses and Miriam after the crossing of the Red Sea, highlighting God's deliverance and power, similar to the deliverance through Gideon. 1 Samuel 17The account of David and Goliath, another instance where God uses unlikely means to achieve victory, emphasizing reliance on divine strength rather than human might. Hebrews 11:32-34Mentions Gideon among the heroes of faith, recognizing his role in achieving victory through faith in God. 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 Asher, Assembled, Gathered, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Midian, Mid'ian, Midianites, Naphtali, Naph'tali, Pursue, Pursued, Summoned, ThemselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 7:22 1305 God, activity of
4045 chaos Judges 7:15-22 5597 victory, act of God Judges 7:16-22 5595 trumpet Judges 7:19-22 5290 defeat Judges 7:20-22 5572 sword Judges 7:22-8:3 7266 tribes of Israel 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 7:23 NIVJudges 7:23 NLTJudges 7:23 ESVJudges 7:23 NASBJudges 7:23 KJV
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