Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, “Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. Judges 7:3
Gideon’s small army overlooks the massive Midianite enemy waiting to attack them. Did Gideon and his men think of David and Goliath or did the fear of what lay ahead of them strike terror in their hearts?
Remember these are volunteer soldiers led by a fearful man who was found hiding from the Midianites in a winepress.
God told Gideon his army is too big – God does not want Israel taking credit for this victory. He wants them to look at and trust in Him. So the process of winnowing the army down begins.
Now therefore When God says something, He means it. He told
Gideon to reduced the army’s size and God gives Gideon instructions on how it is to be done. It is interesting God defines how this is to be done. He could have told Gideon to do it but he would likely look by sight for the “best soldiers” rather than looking at the heart. God has a lesson He wants us to learn so He takes the lead.
Proclaim in the ears of the people, saying God tells Gideon to
speak to the volunteers. He is to proclaim to them the word of God.
Whoever is fearful and trembling The army is at the Harod Springs. They have had a chance to look across the Jezreel valley and see the enemy they will face. They see the campfires, the camel’s and masses of troops moving about. The reality of the battle that they face likely strikes them.
Now Gideon makes an announcement. (Did Gideon realize the irony of the words he would be announcing to the troops?) Anyone (no exceptions) who is fearful (afraid) and trembles should listen. It is interesting that God uses these two words for they are often used of man’s reaction to fear God and tremble before Him. The words are also used of trembling before men. God knows one who fears and trembles before men, will not be worth much as a soldier. On the
other hand if a man fears and trembles before God, he will not fear the size of the Midianite army. God starts by examining the heart.
Let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead Gideon announces what the fearful and trembling should do. Leave, get as far away from the battle as possible. God does not not want the fearful becoming contagious to those who are willing to do the impossible for Him.
Then 22,000 of the people returned 10,000 remained When Gideon made the announcement he likely had no idea what to expect. Perhaps a few hundred would leave. Instead 2/3 of Gideon’s army leaves. What a test of Gideon’s faith this is. Will he look at the numbers or will he remember God said He would give Gideon the victory as one man? What was very scary now becomes terrifying.
What can we learn? What God did here He did before. In Deuteronomy 20 God says, “Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Then numerous people, the faint hearted, are allowed to leave the fight. They are released because God says, “Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” Why is this case? Because the fearful have not learned to trust Gog despite the circumstances.
We also note that the fearful are to hurry away and leave quickly those who stay. Mount Gilead is a reminder that no matter how flourishing, rich, safe, or healthy our earthly lives are, we remain in deep spiritual need and only God can provide the power we lack. When a person does not embrace that truth of the greatness and goodness of God they are to get as far away from the battle as possible for they will not trust God when only the impossible can save them.
This is a hard lesson for leaders to learn as well. It ivan be discouraging to lose most on one’s army at a time when one is already badly outnumbered. This will cause the leader to either become discouraged or it will cause them to increase their faith in God. How will Gideon respond? How will we?