GIDEON:  A JUDGE AND A MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR

 

The Plans for the Attack

Judges 7:16-18

Lesson #11

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Gideon has been reassured by God over and over that He will be with him in his battle against the Midianites.

 

B.      The last assurance he had received involved a dream one of the enemy soldiers had dreamed. 

1.       The dream involved a cake of barley tumbling into the host of Midian, coming into a tent, and smiting the tent (Jgs. 7:13).

2.       The interpretation of this dream was given by one of the dreamer’s fellow soldiers (Jgs. 7:14).

 

And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.

 

C.     The only thing left for Gideon to do was to communicate the final instructions for battle to his army. 

 

D.     In Judges 7:16-18, we read about “The Plans for the Attack.”

 

I.                    THE REGIMENTS WERE FORMED (Judges 7:16a)

 

And he divided the three hundred men into three companies…

 

A.     When we read these words, we immediately assume that the three hundred men were divided into three companies of 100 men.  However, the text does not tell us this.

 

B.      When fighting an army, it is better to have several companies.

1.       They can be put at different locations.

2.       If one company suffers defeat, there are other companies still available. 

3.       Smaller companies of men are easier to maneuver than one large group.

 

C.     NOTE:  Even though God is going to bring the victory, it is still imperative for Gideon to use his wisdom and skill in the fight as well.

 

II.                 THE RESOURCES DISTRIBUTED (Judges 7:16b).

 

…and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.

 

A.     Three things were given to every man:  a trumpet, an empty pitcher, and lamps within the pitchers.

1.       These are not weapons of war.  These items are harmless tools on the field of battle (1 Cor. 1:27).

 

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

 

2.       To carry these items took both hands.  How would a sword or spear be used in addition to these things?

3.       One might wonder what the three hundred soldiers thought about the supplies Gideon was placing in their hands. 

 

B.      LESSONS:

1.       When we allow God to lead us into battle, we must put our complete trust in Him to give us the victory.

2.       God can take things that seem harmless and insignificant and turn them into powerful tools to defeat the enemy (Ex., a sling and 5 smooth stones in the pouch of David, 1 Sam. 17:40).

 

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand:  and he drew near to the Philistine.

 

3.       Even if what we are commanded to do seems trivial and pointless, faith does what is asked of it.

 

III.              THE REPLICATION COMMANDED (Judges 7:17a)

 

And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise…

 

A.     First, it is interesting to note that as the leader Gideon let’s his people know that he will be in the heat of the battle with them.

1.       Some leaders do not take the lead.

2.       They give commands, but they are not out in front of their troops manifesting courage and showing the way.

3.       Leaders need to be present from start to finish.  They are the first on the scene, and they are the last to leave.  They should be in places of prominence so their followers can see them.  Their followers need to know that they are working and sacrificing just as much as they are. 

 

B.      Second, Gideon holds himself up as the example to be followed.

1.       “Look on me, and do likewise...it shall be that as I do, so shall ye do.”

2.       LESSON:  Leaders should be the example their followers can follow.

a.       Jesus is an example for us to follow.

1)      In obedience (Heb. 5:8-9)

2)      In love (John 13:34)

3)      In service (John 13:14-15)

4)      In humility (Phil. 2:5-8)

5)      In suffering (1 Pet. 2:21)

b.      Paul said that others could follow him (1 Cor. 11:1).

c.       Elders of the church are to be examples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3).

d.      Paul commanded Timothy, an evangelist, to be an example (1 Tim. 4:12).

 

IV.              THE REPRODUCTION EXPLAINED (Judges 7:17b-18)

 

A.     The Site (Jgs. 7:17b)

 

… and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that as I do, so shall ye do.

 

1.       The actions were to take place “outside of the camp.”

2.       Two things are important to note.

a.       They were to watch their leader’s actions.  When he moved, they were to move.

b.      They were not to do any of these things within the camp.  Position and timing were very important to the success of their operation.

 

B.      The Sounds (Jgs. 7:18)

1.       The instrument is sounded (Jgs, 7:18a)

 

When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp…

 

a.       One of the three groups would be under the leadership of Gideon.

b.      The three groups would be “on every side of all the camp.” 

1)      If 100 men were spaced out with 20 feet between them, they would stretch for a distance of 2,000 feet.  This is a distance of 6.6 football fields.

2)      If there were 30 feet between them, they would stretch out for 3,000 feet.  This would cover the distance of 10 football fields.

c.       Gideon’s group would take the lead.  When their trumpets were sounded, the other two groups were to sound their trumpets. 

d.      The trumpet

1)      Definition

a)      Hebrew:  shofar

b)      Strong (7782):  a cornet, a curved horn

c)       BDB:  horn, ram’s horn

2)      Picture:

 

 

2.       The interjection by the soldiers (Jgs. 7:18b)

 

…and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.

 

a.       After the sounding of the trumpet, all 300 men were to shout:  “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.”

b.      The trumpets sound from all directions.  The shouts also come from all directions. 

c.       All of this combined would create confusion in the camp of the Midianites. 

1)      If it is done at night, it makes things more difficult.

2)      If the enemy troops are caught sleeping, there is even more chaos.

a)      They have to dress.

b)      They have to find lights.

c)       They have to secure their armor and weapons.

d)     Anything that is done in a hurry, is usually not done properly.  Even if it is, it takes time.

d.      NOTE:  Surprise and a lightning strike will assist Israel in smiting the Midianites.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Gideon is operating on his trust in God to win this battle.

 

B.      Israel must have faith in God.  Too, they must trust their leader to follow him in this non-traditional battle tactic.

 

C.     Remember:  It is still just 300 against an army of thousands.