Earlier Judges
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and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his
heart.”
Deuteronomy 20:5-8
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Because his numbers were so few compared with those of the
enemy, Gideon had refrained from making the usual proclamation. He
was filled with astonishment at the declaration that his army was too
large. But the Lord saw the pride and unbelief existing in the hearts
of His people. Aroused by the stirring appeals of Gideon, they had
readily enlisted; but many were filled with fear when they saw the
multitudes of the Midianites. Yet, had Israel triumphed, those very
ones would have taken the glory to themselves instead of ascribing the
victory to God.
Gideon obeyed the Lord’s direction, and with a heavy heart he
saw twenty-two thousand, or more than two thirds of his entire 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 of the water in their hands were but three hundred out
of ten thousand; yet these were selected; all the rest were permitted to
return to their homes.
By the simplest means character is often tested. Those who in time
of peril were intent upon supplying their own wants were not the men
to be trusted in an emergency. The Lord has no place in His work for
the indolent and self-indulgent. The men of His choice were the few
who would not permit their own wants to delay them in the discharge
of duty. The three hundred chosen men not only possessed courage
and self-control, but they were men of faith. They had not defiled
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themselves with idolatry. God could direct them, and through them
He could work deliverance for Israel. Success does not depend upon
numbers. God can deliver by few as well as by many. He is honored
not so much by the great numbers as by the character of those who
serve Him.