And the Lord said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'"
--Judges 7:2 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on April 29, 2013 of Psalm 80; Mark 5:21-43; Judges 7-8.
The Midianites, their current oppressors, encamped against the children of Israel were "as numerous as locusts, and their camels were without number" (please see verse 12). We learn later that the combined armies of Midian and her allies the Amalekites numbered over 120,000 men, for that many fell during the battle, many to their own swords in the confusion (see verse 10 in chapter 8). To combat this huge force, Gideon had amassed only 32,000 men of arms (verse 3), a small band by comparison, from among his tribe, the Abiezrites (chapter 6 verse 34), and from the houses of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali (chapter 6 verse 35). Gideon had 32,000 fighters to face off against around 135,000. Most sane commanders would not even consider going into open battle against such overwhelming odds. But God said, "Gideon, you have too many men. Send some home." After whittling down his force to a mere 300 men, God said, "That will do, Gideon." And indeed it did. 300 men, split into three companies, each armed with only a trumpet and a torch, put 135,000 veteran soldiers to rout. That, and the hand of God. The odds were actually 301 to 135,000, and that extra "1" made all the difference in the world.
This tale seems highly implausible, if not downright impossible. There is simply no way for 300 men to defeat over 100,000 in open warfare. And that is certainly true if man were left to his own devices, if it was simply a battle of man against man. If that had been the case, Gideon's laughable band of 300 would have been cut to shreds within seconds of making their presence known. His original force of 32,000 would have fared little better in mortal combat. Put succinctly, Israel could not have prevailed against the vastly superior Midian army. And this is exactly what God wanted, these are the odds He sought. He wanted no way, after the battle, for man to look at the outcome and think his own strength won the fight. This scene is reflected in what the Lord told an afflicted Paul, saying, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." (Please see 2 Corinthians 12:9.) If God had allowed Gideon to take 32,000 men into the battle and they had won (only possible with His help), they could have easily boasted and said this great victory had been accomplished by their own hand, giving God no credit and thus hurting themselves spiritually. So God made sure they would understand whose hand won the fight. Their weakness in numbers showed God's strength perfectly.
God asks only faith of us, and He will move mountains for us. But we need to recognize exactly whose hand is clearing the way. Alone, left to our own resources, we can accomplish very little, and what we do manage to make happen is too easily undone over time. But God can accomplish great and miraculous feats for us, making that which can last for eternity. Simply believe and trust in the Lord and be thankful, and He will overcome impossible odds for us. Amen.
Almighty God, we stand in awe of Your great strength and power! May our faith never waver, our trust remain true, with the sure knowledge that by Your hand we can overcome any obstacle and defeat any enemy. Thank You, Lord, for being so very strong when we are so very weak. In the beautiful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
This tale seems highly implausible, if not downright impossible. There is simply no way for 300 men to defeat over 100,000 in open warfare. And that is certainly true if man were left to his own devices, if it was simply a battle of man against man. If that had been the case, Gideon's laughable band of 300 would have been cut to shreds within seconds of making their presence known. His original force of 32,000 would have fared little better in mortal combat. Put succinctly, Israel could not have prevailed against the vastly superior Midian army. And this is exactly what God wanted, these are the odds He sought. He wanted no way, after the battle, for man to look at the outcome and think his own strength won the fight. This scene is reflected in what the Lord told an afflicted Paul, saying, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." (Please see 2 Corinthians 12:9.) If God had allowed Gideon to take 32,000 men into the battle and they had won (only possible with His help), they could have easily boasted and said this great victory had been accomplished by their own hand, giving God no credit and thus hurting themselves spiritually. So God made sure they would understand whose hand won the fight. Their weakness in numbers showed God's strength perfectly.
God asks only faith of us, and He will move mountains for us. But we need to recognize exactly whose hand is clearing the way. Alone, left to our own resources, we can accomplish very little, and what we do manage to make happen is too easily undone over time. But God can accomplish great and miraculous feats for us, making that which can last for eternity. Simply believe and trust in the Lord and be thankful, and He will overcome impossible odds for us. Amen.
Almighty God, we stand in awe of Your great strength and power! May our faith never waver, our trust remain true, with the sure knowledge that by Your hand we can overcome any obstacle and defeat any enemy. Thank You, Lord, for being so very strong when we are so very weak. In the beautiful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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