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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