Judges, Deliverers of Israel
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Thus encouraged, Gideon led out his forces to give battle to the
invaders. “All the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children
of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the
valley of Jezreel.” The entire force under Gideon’s command numbered
only thirty-two thousand men. But with the vast host of the enemy
spread out before him, the word of the Lord came: “The people that
are with thee are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their
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hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying, Mine own hand
hath saved me. Now therefore ... proclaim in the ears of the people,
saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early
from mount Gilead.” Those unwilling to face danger and hardship
would add no strength to the armies of Israel.
Gideon was filled with astonishment at the declaration that his
army was too large. But the Lord saw the pride and unbelief in the
hearts of His people. Aroused by the appeals of Gideon, they had
readily enlisted; but many were filled with fear when they saw the
multitudes of Midian. Yet, had Israel triumphed, those very ones
would have taken glory to themselves instead of ascribing victory to
God.
Only Three Hundred Left
Gideon obeyed the Lord’s direction, and with a heavy heart saw
more than two thirds of his force depart for their homes. Again the
word of the Lord came to him: “The people are yet too many; bring
them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it
shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the
same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall
not go with thee, the same shall not go.”
The people were led down to the waterside, expecting to make an
immediate advance upon the enemy. A few hastily took a little water
in the hand and sucked it up as they went on; but nearly all bowed
upon their knees and leisurely drank from the surface of the stream.
Those who took the water in their hands were but three hundred out
of ten thousand. These were selected; all the rest were permitted to
return to their homes.
Those who in time of peril were intent upon supplying their own
wants were not to be trusted in an emergency. The three hundred