So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. When they blew the 300 trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his comrade and against all the army. Judges 7:19-22
A plan to obey God is no good unless is is acted upon.
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch Gideon’s army of 300 moves
out. The night is divided into 3 watches: from sunset to 10 P.M.; from 10 P.M. to 2 A.M.; and from 2 A.M. to sunrise. Around 10 P.M. Gideon’s men move out and they are in their positions by the
end of the watch. When the watch changes Gideon leads the charge. Why did God have them do this then? The change of watch is when there is the greatest confusion. If an emergency occurs,
who is now in charge? Is it the one going off his watch or the one coming on? All the men leaving watch and heading for their tents might be viewed as enemy soldiers .God clearly led Gideon to
begin his attack at the exact right time.
And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. God’s plan struck maximum
panic in the hearts of the Midianites. The trumpets blowing would startle the men out of their sleep. The trumpets made great noise which would indicate the Midianites were under a massive
attack. At that time only the leaders gave signals on trumpets; 300 trumpets normally would indicate a huge army. The sound of breaking glass would indicate violence that was nearby and
torches that completely surround the Midianites would tell them there was no escape. This was clearly every man for himself time.
And they cried out, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Finally the words shouted by the 300 would strike terror in the Midianite hearts. The dream the soldier shared had likely spread
throughout the camp. When the men heard Gideon’s name and linked it to the dream they would know this attack was from God. Their terror would increase even more. (I can tell you from experience that when we were attacked at night in Vietnam, it was a terrifying experience. You woke up to the sound of automatic weapon fire, you could see the tracer rounds flying through the air and your heart would be pumping adrenaline so that you could taste it on your mouth.) God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave Gideon this plan of attack!
Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. What was the result? The invincible army of the enemy was confused, filled with panic and fled in fear.
When they blew the 300 trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his comrade and against all the army. When the trumpets blew (apparently for the second time) The Midianite army began fighting anyone or anything that was near them. Most would not have been in their uniforms (they were sleeping so they were not easily recognizable). As a result the Midianite soldiers attacked and annihilated each other. Note God gives us the extent to the victory. The entire army is involved. Scripture tells us their reactions in three verbs: they ran, they cried out and they fled. They soon learn what every unbeliever will learn– you cannot flee from God. And that is how God defeats a fearful army of 135,000 with 300 faithful believers!