Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets
‘Gedeon’ – named Gideon – faith’s miraculous victory (Judges 6:1-8:35). He was the son of Joash the Abiezrite. God came from heaven to earth and sat under an oak tree (Jdg. 6:11). He appeared to Gideon and spoke to him (Jdg. 6:12). He looked upon him and prophesied to him that he was to deliver Israel (Jdg. 6:14).
The Midianites were the leaders of the combined forces of Midian, Amalek, and other tribes of the East who defeated Israel, robbed them of new crops, took their stock, and caused them to hide in dens and caves (Jdg. 6:3-6), some of which were capable of holding as many as 4,000 people. This oppression was quite general, for it reached even to Philistia. If it had continued the Israelites would have been destroyed by starvation and war, but as usual, they cried to God in their distress and He was compassionate and merciful again, saving them by raising Gideon up (Judges 6:4-7:25).
Though the Lord was no longer physically visible as the angel of the Lord of Judges 6:11-21, He was still talking to Gideon and directing all preparations for battle (Judges 6:22-7:11). The Lord saw the pride of the men of Israel, despite being so oppressed and humbled in their circumstances. If He let 32,000 men fight the Midianites, He knew they would take the credit for the victory and not acknowledge Him as their Helper. So, He told Gideon to thin out his army by telling all who were fearful to go home (Jdg. 7:3). This cut the number down to 10,000. The army was still too large, however, so these were told to come down to drink. All who did not lap water like a dog had to go home (Jdg. 7:4-5).
God promised He would defeat the enemy’s vast army with only 300 men – 31,700 of the original 32,000 who had gathered at the call. To the natural man, this would seem foolish and impossible, but with God all things are possible. The Christian is also told that all things are possible and nothing shall be impossible for him who has faith (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26).
To be continued…
Living the Word 