Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people: 'Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. Now, thereforeThis phrase serves as a transition, indicating a conclusion or action based on previous statements. In the context of Judges 7, God has been instructing Gideon on how to reduce the number of his troops. The Hebrew word for "now" (וְעַתָּה, ve'atah) often signals a pivotal moment, urging immediate attention and action. It underscores the urgency and divine timing in God's plan for Gideon. proclaim in the hearing of the people
The act of proclaiming is significant in biblical narratives, often associated with delivering a divine message. The Hebrew root for "proclaim" (קָרָא, qara) implies a public announcement meant to be heard and heeded. This command to speak "in the hearing of the people" emphasizes transparency and communal involvement in God's directive, ensuring that all are aware of the criteria for remaining in the battle. ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling
This phrase identifies a specific group within Gideon's army. The Hebrew words for "fearful" (יָרֵא, yare) and "trembling" (חָרֵד, chared) convey a deep, visceral fear. In Deuteronomy 20:8, the law allowed those who were fearful to return home from battle, recognizing that fear could be contagious and detrimental to morale. This directive aligns with God's desire for a committed and courageous force. may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’
The instruction to "turn back" (יָשׁוּב, yashuv) and "leave" (יָצָא, yatza) is both a release and a command. Mount Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River, serves as a geographical marker, but it also symbolizes a place of decision and separation. Those who choose to leave are not condemned but are given the freedom to return home, highlighting God's understanding and compassion for human frailty. So twenty-two thousand of them turned back
The number "twenty-two thousand" is significant, illustrating the vast majority who were not ready for the battle. This large number reflects the reality of fear and the challenge of faith. It also sets the stage for God's power to be demonstrated through a smaller, more faithful remnant. but ten thousand remained
The "ten thousand" who remained represent a faithful remnant, willing to trust in God's plan despite overwhelming odds. This smaller group is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God often works through a faithful few to accomplish His purposes. Their willingness to stay signifies a deeper level of faith and commitment, essential for the victory God intends to bring about through Gideon. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonThe judge chosen by God to lead Israel against the Midianites. He is tasked with reducing the number of his army to ensure that the victory is attributed to God, not human strength. 2. Mount GileadThe location where Gideon’s army was gathered. It serves as the setting for the initial reduction of troops. 3. The IsraelitesThe people of God who are oppressed by the Midianites. They are called to battle under Gideon’s leadership. 4. The MidianitesThe oppressors of Israel during this period. They are numerous and powerful, posing a significant threat to the Israelites. 5. The Reduction of TroopsAn event where God instructs Gideon to reduce his army, starting with those who are fearful, to demonstrate that victory comes from God. Teaching Points Trust in God’s SovereigntyGod’s instructions to reduce the army highlight His control over the situation. Believers are reminded to trust in God’s plans, even when they defy human logic. Courage and FaithThe call for the fearful to leave underscores the importance of courage and faith in God’s promises. Believers are encouraged to confront their fears with faith. God’s Glory in WeaknessThe reduction of troops ensures that the victory is attributed to God. This teaches that God often uses our weaknesses to display His strength and glory. Obedience to God’s CommandsGideon’s obedience in following God’s seemingly illogical command is a model for believers to follow God’s guidance, even when it is difficult to understand. Community and SupportThe remaining ten thousand soldiers represent a committed community. Believers are encouraged to surround themselves with those who are steadfast in faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the reduction of Gideon’s army challenge our understanding of strength and success in today’s world? 2. In what ways can we identify and confront our own fears that may hinder us from fully trusting in God’s plans? 3. How can the principle of God’s power being perfected in weakness be applied to personal challenges you are currently facing? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that we are obedient to God’s commands, even when they seem counterintuitive? 5. How can we build a supportive community of faith that encourages courage and reliance on God, similar to the ten thousand who remained with Gideon? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 20:8This passage provides a precedent for allowing fearful soldiers to return home, emphasizing reliance on God rather than numbers. 1 Samuel 14:6Jonathan’s faith in God’s ability to save "by many or by few" echoes the principle demonstrated in Gideon’s account. 2 Corinthians 12:9Paul’s teaching on God’s power being perfected in weakness aligns with the lesson of God’s strength being shown through a reduced army. | 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 Afraid, 22000, Anyone, Depart, Early, Ears, Fear, Fearful, Galud, Gideon, Gilead, Hearing, Home, Leave, Mount, Proclaim, Proclamation, Return, Returned, Saying, Shaking, Ten, Tested, Thousand, Trembles, Trembling, Turn, Twenty, Twenty-twoDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 7:3 8754 fear Judges 7:1-8 5266 conscription Judges 7:2-3 5819 cowardice 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 7:3 NIVJudges 7:3 NLTJudges 7:3 ESVJudges 7:3 NASBJudges 7:3 KJV
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