Judges 7

Scripture

Judges 7:2

“The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

The Israelites were doing evil in God's eyes. So God handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites treated the Israelites very cruel and harsh. The Israelites were on the verge of starvation, when God heard his people's cries, and anointed Gideon to rescue them from the hands of the Midianites. 

One problem though...God thought Gideon had too many warriors with him and instructed Gideon to "thin the heard" a bit. You see, God knew if he let Gideon and the Israelites go into battle against the Midianites with that many people, the Israelites would boast and take credit for the victory because they would have thought it was from their own might and not God's might that brought them the victory.

Understanding-What does it mean?

“Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”-Luke‬ ‭18:27‬ ‭NIV

Gideon was already doubting himself when God called on him to deliver the Israelites from the bondage of the Midianites. Gideon already felt that his clan was the weakest in the whole tribe, and that he was the least in his entire family. Now God calls on him to rescue the people of Israel, and to do it not with the 32,000 men he originally had in his army, but with only 300 men! I believe God wanted to ensure that his people were to remain humble and totally rely on His strength and might, rather than their own. If His people had already forgotten what He did for their ancestors, God was surely going to remind them of His awesome power through Gideon and the 300 men.

"If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”-Romans‬ ‭8:31‬ ‭NLT

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christʼs power may rest on me.”-2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Life Application

Against all odds, there is no one that I would rather have in my corner than Jesus.

Thank you Jesus for always having my back. Although I may turn away from you sometimes, you never turn away from me. Jesus, you are almighty, all powerful, all knowing, loving, merciful, and gracious to name a few. But above all, you are the Lord and Savior of my life. Open up my heart to your ways and your will. Help me Jesus to be obedient and faithful to you. In your name I pray these things, Amen.

 

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-Moses Gaddi