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Judges, Deliverers of Israel
349
How Could Gideon Be Sure?
Gideon prayed, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have
said—look, I shall put a fleece of wool in the threshing floor; if there
is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall
know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” In
the morning the fleece was wet, while the ground was dry. But now
a doubt came, since wool naturally absorbs moisture when there is
any in the air, the test might not be decisive. So he asked that the
sign be reversed, and his request was granted.
Encouraged, Gideon led his forces out to battle the invaders. “All
the Midianites and Amalekites, the people of the East, gathered to-
gether; and they crossed over and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel.”
The entire force under Gideon’s command was only thirty-two thou-
sand men. But with the vast army of the enemy spread out before
him, the word of the Lord came: “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.’ Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying,
‘Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from
Mount Gilead.’” Those unwilling to face danger and hardship would
not add any strength to the armies of Israel.
Gideon was astonished at the statement that his army was too
large, but the Lord saw the pride and unbelief in the hearts of His
people. Motivated by the appeals of Gideon, they had promptly
enlisted, but many were filled with fear when they saw the huge
army of Midian. Yet, if Israel had won, those very ones would have
taken glory to themselves instead of crediting the victory to God.
Only Three Hundred Left
Gideon obeyed the Lord’s direction, and with a heavy heart he
saw more than two thirds of his soldiers leave for their homes. Again
the word of the Lord came to him: “The people are still too many;
bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.
Then it will be, that of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with
you,’ the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you,
‘This shall not go with you,’ the same shall not go.”