“And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. And the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh, and they pursued after Midian. Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and capture the waters against them, as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan.” Judges 7:22-24
God throws the 135,000 man Midianite army into total disarray. Confused, panicked, fearful they first fight each other and then those who are left begin to flee the area. They can’t see the enemy and they have no idea what is happening. This must be fighting something supernatural. They are!
And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah,
as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath We can
see the route the Midianite soldiers took on the map as they flee from Gideon. Their direction is toward their home in the southern Sinai peninsula.
And the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali and from
Asher Gideon sends a message to the tribes he originally called on to help him. These are all north of the route the Midianites took to escape.
And from all Manasseh Gideon also reaches out to Manasseh.
Remember that this tribe is divided on both sides of the Jordan River. Gideon calls to both sides to aide in the destruction of the Midianites. We note Zebulun is not mentioned. This is surprising because they are a brave tribe of warriors known to risk their lives in battle. Gideon likely does not call them because he does not need to. They are already in the battle as the Midianites flee through their territory.
Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of
Ephraim Gideon also called the men of Ephraim to assist. He
had not included them initially but now he needs them as the few surviving Midianite soldiers flee.
“Come down against the Midianites and capture the waters
against them, as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan” Gideon asks the help of the Ephraimites to seal off the entrance back into Israel from the Midianites. This tribe moves westward and guards the region below Manasseh and between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead See.
What can we learn? We read this passage and think that is a lot of
geography. Why did God include this in scripture? It seems the real lesson is not in the direction the Midianites travelled to escape Gideon but in Gideon’s relationship to the other tribes.
God has just given Gideon a great victory. This is a time when Satan
tempts us to be proud (look what I have done or more subtly, “look
what God has done through me!”) or to become possessive (I don’t want anyone else involved – I want to show this is my victory”). It is easy to become irritated at people ae idle when the job is tough but want to help when the victory is enjoyed.
The Apostle Paul became upset with John Mark when he left the mission and did not want to include any future endeavors.
Gideon shows us that God uses different people at different time. The great Judge knows who does what when and he will reward accordingly. His servant, the leader, does not have the prerogative to exclude people out of pride or resentment. All believers. Even those who are tardy, are called and serve God.