Read Judges 7-8.
Cycle number four continues as Gideon had now become a
leader of an army that would deliver Israel from the Midianites. In what seems to be a strange assessment, God
told Gideon he had too many soldiers for the battle. The reason the LORD gave was that with so
many the army could take the credit and glory for the victory.
In the winnowing process, Gideon's army was reduced from
32,000 to just 300 men. It was a humanly
impossible assignment. So, when these
few men conquered Midian, everyone would know it was God's power and give glory
only Him.
When Gideon's army blew the trumpets and flashed their
lamps, the army of Midian that could not be numbered (7:12) thought they were
surrounded! 120,000 of the enemy died
(8:10). Though exhausted, Gideon and his
men chased the Midianites clear across the Jordan . Those who refused to support them along the
way paid so with their lives. Thus, God
relieved the nation of its oppression and established Gideon's national
leadership.
The nation asked him to "rule over us"
(8:22). Notice his humility and
submission to the LORD. Truly, God was
the ultimate ruler over the nation.
Gideon provided a leadership of peace for the next forty years.
Two insights for today:
1. God wants to work in situations thought impossible so He
alone will get the credit.
Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible
with God." (Luke 18:27)
2. God wants to use people who know they do not have what it
takes to get the job done but are willing to trust God to accomplish His work
through them.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "We have this treasure in jars
of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
(2Corinthians 4:7)
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