So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.
That same night the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. 10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Judges 7:8-11
Imagine you are one of the 300 men chosen to fight the Mediates. When Gideon first called you volunteered to fight. You learned you were out- numbered 4:1 which weren’t great odds but maybe a victory was possible. Suddenly, in less than a day, your numbers are
reduced to 300 and you are now outnumbered 450:1. You realize that humanly speaking there is no chance of victory.
Unless God does something spectacular, you have no hope. So
you begin to pray as if your life depended on it, because it does.
So the people took provisions in their hands, and their
trumpets Now the 300 learn what their weapons will be. To fight the
Midianites each person is issued a trumpet and provisions (this includes a jar of clay and a torch). I would imagine the intensity of prayer to God increased exponentially around the spring of Harod at that point. (Bythe way, isn’t that exactly why God cut the numbers to 300?)
And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men Gideon obeys God and sends 9,700 volunteers home. If the Midianites were watching the Israeli encampment, it now seems deserted.
And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley God paints the contrast. The mighty Midianite army is in the valley trusting in themselves and very self-assured in the victory they anticipate. They are opposed by a small group of men trusting God and each holding a ram’s horn. The Midianites expect an easy victory. (This is exactly the way the world views its battles with Christians today.)
That same night the Lord said to him God does not delay. It is the evening of the day Gideon’s army was reduced. God speaks to Gideon to strengthen his heart before the battle. (Note this happens after he obeys God and after he spends time talking to God and seeking His face.)
Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand God gives Gideon another step to take. This step is to give him confidence and build his faith in God. God also reassures Gideon of His promise – He will give Gideon victory over the Midianites – numbers not withstanding.
But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant God addresses The sin, fear, that so easily besets Gideon. Purah means encourager and that is exactly what Gideon needs.
And you shall hear what they say God tells Gideon what he will gain. He wants him to know the fear in the Midianites’ hearts as they must battle against a man clothed with the Spirit of God. This is critical because they were never afraid of fighting against Israel before God got involved. When God fights for Israel he places
anxiety in their hearts and now it is a very different story for the massive Midianite army. They are the ones who tremble and shake.
Afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp. Here we see why God sends Gideon to the Midianite camp. God will allow his faith to be strengthened to fight against the very formidable odds that face him. God seldom tells His servants to “go down”. Done is not the right direction (toward God) in scripture. When God gives that command it to s to see the hopelessness and despair of th word that we live in. Despite the bravado they know they dave an appointment with God and it terrifies them.
What can we learn? God knows our frames. He meets our needs. He comes to a servant that is willing to obey God but now finds himself tested beyond anything he ever thought possible. God knows that and so He meets with the leader of His army. God has already told him what he tells us – “I will never leave you or forsake you.” “I will be with you.” Yet the Lord goes even further here, He lets Gideon see and us know that despite the bluster, arrogance and the human might of our enemy, they know in their heart who they are fighting against. That brings terror to their souls. Terror is surely is in Satan’s heart for he knows he fights a battle he will never win.