Gideon’s God-Sized Army | Exodus 4:10-11, Judges 7:1-25

I just love the story of Gideon so much. Today we see how God gives Gideon strength and encouragement to rescue the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. God gave him the proof he desired in order to be confidant in the mission. This is a reminder, friend, to keep our eyes on God, and when He asks us to do something that is out of our comfort zone, He will provide all that you need.

Show Links:

• Who Is Jesus? Let us introduce you!
• Have a prayer request? Leave it here.

Transcription:

Have you ever had this thought, God, you chose the wrong person. I can’t do this. I certainly have. It’s crazy to think that you and I could have so much in common with someone who lived in Bible times. Gideon! It’s fascinating studying his life with you this week on the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, and I’m so glad you’re here. You’re not alone. We’re not alone. Think about Moses, okay? When God told him, listen, you’re up. I’m tapping you. We’re going to rescue Israel together. You’re on my team. Listen to what Moses said in Exodus chapter four, beginning in verse 10,

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?

Okay, so Moses needed encouragement. Gideon needed tons of encouragement to believe that the angel of the Lord had really tapped him to rescue the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He even asked the Lord for proof. Several times! That takes guts and God has shown so much grace. So here we are. Let’s jump back into the story. We’re going to begin today in Judges chapter seven. Gideon has received proof from the Lord that yes, it’s him. God has tapped him to partner with in this big, huge rescue. I’m excited to find out what happens next. Here we go, judges seven verse one.

So Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon) and his army got up early and went as far as the spring of Harod. The armies of Midian were camped north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 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. 3 Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’”

Wow, I love what the Lord is doing here. It’s so awesome and I hope that you see this reflected in your own life. I believe sometimes God allows things to happen so that he can show up, and we can tell the stories of his goodness woven through our lives. Picking the story back up now, verse three.

So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.4 But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.” 5 When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the Lord told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.” 6 Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream.7 The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.” 8 So Gideon collected the provisions and rams’ horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the 300 men with him.The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon. 9 That night the Lord said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! 10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. 11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”

Don’t you love that our God is an encourager?

So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. 12 The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count!

How terrifying, right?

Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, “I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!”14 His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!”15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, “Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!” 16 He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it.17 Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. 18 As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’”19 It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. 20 Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”21 Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. 22 When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.23 Then Gideon sent for the warriors of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, who joined in chasing the army of Midian. 24 Gideon also sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down to attack the Midianites. Cut them off at the shallow crossings of the Jordan River at Beth-barah.”So all the men of Ephraim did as they were told. 25 They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders, killing Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. And they continued to chase the Midianites. Afterward the Israelites brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan River.

God did what he said he would do. And I’m thinking about something Gideon said to his rather shaved down army, keep your eyes on me. We can take those words and apply them to the Lord. When he asks us to do something, especially something that is beyond us, out of our comfort zone, let’s keep our eyes on him. Let’s be strong and courageous. He’s going to give us strength, courage, and encouragement just like he gave Gideon. Alright, until next time, you are loved.

Thank you for making time for the Bible for Busy People today. If being part of this community is a blessing to you, it’s super easy to share this podcast with someone you love. We’re all about spreading the hope of Jesus like butter. So, if you’ve got a moment to write a review, boy, we’d really appreciate that. Maybe you need a little prayer today, or you are ready to take that next step with God… I invite you to check out our show notes. You’re going to find lots of encouragement there. This podcast is one branch on a tree called Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find, and thrive, in God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.

Find more podcasts that will recharge you at onpurposely.com.