10: God reduces your rank before He works (Judges 7:1 – 25)

When the Lord’s spirit strengthened Gideon, he collected 32,000 soldiers. They must be motivated by the Lord. However, the Lord sent them home except 300.

Read Judges 7:1 - 25


Q1. Why did God ask Gideon to reduce the army to 300? 

God desired to reduce the army's size to ensure Israel would not boast about winning the battle by their strength. The way of drinking water was simply a means to reduce the army's numbers, not to imply a deeper meaning. The focus is on God's decision to use a small group of soldiers (300) to prevent Israel from boasting about their own power. The victory was intended to demonstrate that it was God's doing, not theirs.

When the soldiers were divided by how they drank water, the Lord chose those who knelt because they were fewer in number, not because of how they drank. 

Mt. Gilead in verse 3 does not mean the Gilead in the East of Jordan. The battlefield was on Jezreel Valley, which is on the West side. 



Q2. Why did the Lord ask Gideon to go to the Midianite camp and hear what they said? 

It was to confirm Gideon that the Lord would give them victory. 

Gideon was a man full of doubt, so he repeatedly asked for signs. A doubtful heart also brings fear. The Bible records that he was extremely afraid even during his first task of tearing down the altar of Baal.



Q3. In the dream what did knock down a tent in the Midianite camp?

A stale cake of barley bread

The dream emphasizes how something as lowly as a barley cake could cause the collapse of the Midianite camp, symbolizing how God would use Gideon and his small, humble group of soldiers to achieve a miraculous victory. This further reinforces the idea that the victory would be God’s doing, not Israel’s strength or strategy.



Q4. What did they shout when Gideon signaled? 

“For the Lord and for Gideon”

Note that Gideon added his name here.




Q5. How was it possible for them, as such a small group, to defeat the Midianites? What did the Lord do?

The Lord caused the Midianites to attack one another.


Q6. Who killed the Midianite commanders, Oreb and Zeeb?

The Ephraimites

*The locations of Beth Barah and Karkor are disputed.



The Lord used the doubtful and fearful Gideon to save His people. Notice how the Lord reduced his army and strengthened his faith. He removes anything we might rely on, bringing us to a point of frustration where we have no choice but to seek the Lord's help. Moreover, when we are afraid, the Lord often encourages us through promises spoken by others, helping us to stand in faith once again.

The Lord said, “You have too many men for me to hand Midian over to you.” Is there something the Lord wants to remove from your life so He can show His power? Until you let go, He may not act. Otherwise, you may end up boasting to yourself about what God's works truly are.


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