Introduction
Gideon attacks another enemy of the Israelites, the Midianites.
Questions
1. Why did the LORD say that the army was too big?
v 2 ... "The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel brag against me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’
2. What was the Midianite’s interpretation of the cake of barley bread tumbling into the camp?
v 14 ... "This is nothing other than the sword of Gideon ... God has delivered Midian into his hand, with all the army."
3. What three objects were the Israelites given for the battle?
v 16 He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all them trumpets and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers.
Summary Points
- v 1 to 3 The armies of Israel and the Midianites are facing one another.The LORD tells Gideon that his army is too large so 22,000 are sent away
- v 4 to 8 300 men are selected and the rest are let go
- v 9 to 15 The LORD tells Gideon to go down to the camp of Midian. He overhears what the men say and is strengthened for the task ahead
- v 16 to 25 Gideon divides his men into three groups, then at his signal they blow their trumpets, reveal their torches and shout “the sword of the Lord and of Gideon”. The Midianites are confused, attack each other and then flee pursued by Gideon's men