The Defeat of Gideon’s Foes
September 26, 2020
Commentary
The Israelites strategy unfolded as the 300 soldiers were divided into three companies (v. 16). Each warrior had a trumpet and a pitcher containing a lamp. When Gideon gave the signal, all acted at the same time (vv. 17-18). They blew the trumpets, shattered the pitchers, raised the lamps, and shouted, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon” (v.20). This would have been at 10 p.m., since this was the beginning of the middle watch (v. 19), and the night was divided into three periods of 4 hours each starting at 6 p.m.
The attack happened exactly as planned which created total panic and confusion among the Midianites. They pictured every trumpeter leading a full battalion of soldiers and that they were coming in from all sides. In a hurry to escape many of the enemy soldiers killed each other. The enemy soldiers started yelling and tried to run away. Gideon’s troops stayed in their positions surrounding the camp (v. 21). When Gideon’s men blew the 300 trumpets the LORD made the enemy soldiers pull out their swords and start fighting each other (v. 22). The enemy army tried to escape and ran toward Zererah. Gideon then called upon the northern tribes to send troops and intercept the retreating Midianites at the river Jordan (vv. 23-25). These troops captured Raven and Wolf, the two Midianite leaders and killed them. The men of Ephraim brought the heads of the two Midianite leaders to Gideon.
Application
When facing a difficult situation, I need to learn the lesson of waiting for the Lord’s answer rather than trying to force some solution in my own strength.
Judges 7:16– 25 (NET)
16 He divided the 300 men into three units. He gave them all trumpets and empty jars with torches inside them. 17 He said to them, “Watch me and do as I do. Watch closely! I am going to the edge of the camp. Do as I do! 18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, you also blow your trumpets all around the camp. Then say, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’”
19 Gideon took 100 men to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guards. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars they were carrying. 20 All three units blew their trumpets and broke their jars. They held the torches in their left hand and the trumpets in their right. Then they yelled, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 They stood in order all around the camp. The whole Midianite army ran away; they shouted as they scrambled away. 22 When the 300 men blew their trumpets, the Lord caused the Midianites to attack one another with their swords throughout the camp. The army fled to Beth Shittah on the way to Zererah. They went to the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh answered the call and chased the Midianites.
24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the Ephraimite hill country who announced, “Go down and head off the Midianites. Take control of the fords of the streams all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River.” When all the Ephraimites had assembled, they took control of the fords all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River. 25 They captured the two Midianite generals, Oreb and Zeeb. They executed Oreb on the rock of Oreb and Zeeb in the winepress of Zeeb. They chased the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was now on the other side of the Jordan River.
Illustration: The psychiatrist instruction to a henpecked husband
A young husband was henpecked and was going to a psychiatrist about the problem. The doctor told him, “You don’t have to let your wife bully you! Go home and show her you’re the boss! The young man got home, slammed the door, shook his fist in his wife’s face, and growled, “From now on, you’re taking orders from ME! When I get home from work, I want my supper ON the table. I want my clothes LAID OUT. I will be going out with the boys. You will be staying home. And another thing. Do you know who’s going to tie my tie?” “Yes”, she said: “The undertaker”. Plan your strategy: don’t rely on the advice of the world to Bring peace into your home. (Source Unknown).