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Judges, Deliverers of Israel
351
The men were stationed so that they would approach the Midianite
camp from different directions. In the dead of night, at a signal from
Gideon’s war horn, the three companies blew their trumpets. Then,
breaking their pitchers and waving the blazing torches, they rushed
toward the enemy with the terrible war cry, “The sword of the Lord
and of Gideon!”
The sleeping army was suddenly awakened. The soldiers saw
the light of flaming torches on every side. They heard the sound of
trumpets with the cry of the attackers in every direction. Believing
that they were at the mercy of an overwhelming force, the Midianites
were panic-stricken. With wild cries of alarm they fled in panic,
and mistaking their own companions for enemies, they killed one
another.
As news of the victory spread, thousands of the Israelites who
had been dismissed to their homes returned and joined in chas-
ing their fleeing enemies. Gideon sent messengers to the tribe of
[278]
Ephraim, rousing them to intercept the escaping soldiers at the south-
ern fords. Meanwhile, with his three hundred soldiers, “exhausted
but still in pursuit,” Gideon crossed the stream close behind those
who had already reached the farther side and overtook Zebah and
Zalmunna, the two princes who escaped with fifteen thousand men.
He scattered their force completely and captured and killed the lead-
ers.
One hundred twenty thousand of the invaders died and the power
of the Midianites was broken. They were never again able to make
war on Israel. No words can describe the terror of the surrounding
nations when they learned what simple means had succeeded against
the power of a bold, warlike people.
The leader God chose to overthrow the Midianites was not a ruler,
a priest, or a Levite. He thought of himself as the least important in
his father’s house. But he was distrustful of himself and was willing
to follow the guidance of the Lord. God selects those whom He
can best use. “Before honor is humility.” (
Proverbs 15:33
). He will
make them strong by joining their weakness to His might, and wise
by connecting their ignorance with His wisdom.
Few can be trusted with any large amount of responsibility or
success without becoming forgetful of their dependence on God.
This is why, in choosing instruments for His work, the Lord passes