Judges 7: Gideon’s Victory Over Midian

 

Judges 7: Gideon’s Victory Over Midian

Background and Context

The Book of Judges recounts the leadership of various individuals whom God raised to deliver Israel from oppression. Judges 7 focuses on Gideon, one of the most significant judges, who led Israel to victory over the Midianites.

At this time, the Israelites had turned away from God and suffered oppression under the Midianites, a nomadic people who plundered their land. In Judges 6, God called Gideon to be a deliverer, and after seeking signs from God (the fleece test), Gideon gathered an army. Chapter 7 describes how God miraculously delivered Israel by reducing Gideon’s army and ensuring that the victory was clearly attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength.

---

Verse-by-Verse Explanation

1. Gideon’s Army is Reduced (Judges 7:1-8)

• Verse 1: Gideon (also called Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend") and his army camped near the spring of Harod, while the Midianites were in the valley of Jezreel.

• Verse 2: God told Gideon that his 32,000 soldiers were too many because if they won, they might credit themselves instead of God.

• Verses 3-6:

  • God instructed Gideon to send home anyone who was afraid. 22,000 left, leaving 10,000.

  • Next, God tested them by how they drank water. Those who lapped like a dog were chosen (300 men), while those who knelt to drink were sent home.

• Verses 7-8: The 300 men were kept, and God assured Gideon that He would give them victory over Midian.

🔹 Significance: God intentionally weakened Gideon’s army to demonstrate that victory would come by His power, not human effort.

---

2. Gideon Receives Confirmation (Judges 7:9-15)

• Verse 9: God told Gideon to attack but offered reassurance if he was afraid.

• Verses 10-11: Gideon and his servant Purah went to the enemy camp to overhear a sign.

• Verses 12-14:

  • The Midianites and their allies (Amalekites and eastern peoples) were numerous as locusts, with camels like the sand of the sea.

  • Gideon overheard a Midianite dream about a barley loaf tumbling into camp and destroying a tent.

  • Another Midianite interpreted it as Gideon’s victory, which encouraged Gideon.

• Verse 15: Gideon worshiped God and returned to prepare his army.

🔹 Significance: God gave Gideon another sign to strengthen his faith, showing that He was in control.

---

3. The Battle: Victory Through Confusion (Judges 7:16-23)

• Verses 16-18:

  • Gideon divided his 300 men into three groups and gave them trumpets, empty jars, and torches.

  • They were to shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon!”

• Verses 19-21:

  • At midnight, they blew the trumpets, smashed the jars, and held the torches high, surrounding the Midianite camp.

  • The Midianites panicked, thinking they were being attacked by a large army.

• Verse 22: The Midianites turned on each other in confusion and fled.

• Verse 23: Other Israelites from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh pursued them.

🔹 Significance: The victory was achieved without swords—only by obedience to God’s strategy, causing the enemy to self-destruct.

---

4. The Pursuit and Execution of the Midianite Kings (Judges 7:24-25)

• Verses 24-25: Gideon sent messengers to Ephraim, asking them to cut off the fleeing Midianites at the Jordan River.

  • The Ephraimites captured and killed two Midianite princes, Oreb ("raven") and Zeeb ("wolf").

  • Their heads were brought to Gideon as proof of victory.

🔹 Significance: God used even other Israelite tribes to ensure total victory.

---

Key Themes in Judges 7

1. God Uses the Weak to Accomplish His Will

Gideon was initially fearful and had a small army, but God chose him to lead. This teaches that God does not rely on human strength but rather on obedience and faith.

2. Victory Belongs to God, Not Man

By reducing the army to 300 men, God made it clear that the victory was supernatural.

3. God Strengthens Our Faith When We Trust Him

Gideon received multiple signs (fleece test, Midianite dream) to build his confidence. Similarly, God provides assurance when we seek Him.

4. The Power of Obedience

Gideon followed God’s exact instructions, even though the strategy (jars, trumpets, torches) seemed unconventional. Obedience leads to victory.

---

Conclusion

Judges 7 is a powerful example of faith, divine intervention, and humility. Gideon’s story reminds us that God works through those who trust Him, and He fights battles on behalf of His people. The chapter emphasizes that our victories are not won by our strength but by God’s power.