Judges 7:1-25

     The Central Idea of the Text is that God defeated the Midianite army of 135,000 using Gideon and 300 Israelite men. 

     God greatly reduced Gideon’s army so that Gideon would trust in Him and Israel would not become boastful.  Gideon and his 300 men were a brave group, warriors who looked to God for victory.  God controlled the minds of the Midianites and made them fearful by means of a troubling dream, which dream strengthened Gideon’s faith and increased his courage.  God’s promise of victory included Gideon’s wise tactics on the battlefield.  It was common for Israelite commanders to lead their troops into battle with a torch and horn, so when the Midianites saw the hundreds of torch bearers blowing their horns and shouting, they imagined a great Israelite army was upon them, and in a state of panic attacked each other and fled. 

     God often uses unlikely persons to accomplish His will (1 Cor. 1:26-29), and sometimes brings us to a place of helplessness so that His salvation is more pronounced (2 Cor. 12:7-10), with the result that His people will boast in God and not themselves (Jer. 9:23-24).  For the Christian, the lesson of trust is more valuable than the victory itself.