"And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled."
This verse is part of the account of Gideon and his battle against the Midianites. Let’s provide some context by exploring the preceding verses.
In Judges 7, Gideon is preparing to lead an army of Israelites against the Midianites, who had been oppressing the Israelites for several years. Initially, Gideon gathers a large army of 32,000 men. However, God instructs Gideon to reduce the number of soldiers in order to demonstrate His power and ensure that Israel would not boast in their own strength.
First, God tells Gideon to allow any fearful individuals to return home. As a result, 22,000 men leave, leaving only 10,000 soldiers remaining (Judges 7:3).
But God is not yet finished reducing the number. He then commands Gideon to bring the remaining men to the water and observe how they drink. Those who kneel down to drink from the stream are set apart, while those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog are chosen to stay (Judges 7:4-7). This narrows down the group to only 300 men.
Now, let’s focus on Judges 7:21: "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled."
After Gideon has selected his 300 men, they are each given trumpets and empty pitchers with torches hidden inside. They surround the Midianite camp during the night. At Gideon’s signal, the men blow their trumpets, break the pitchers, and shout, "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon!" (Judges 7:18-20).
The sudden noise and the appearance of light from the broken pitchers create confusion and panic among the Midianites. They become disoriented and turn against each other in the darkness. This leads to their defeat as they flee in fear.
The phrase "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp" refers to the positioning of the 300 men around the Midianite camp. They were strategically placed, ready to execute their surprise attack.
The phrase "and all the host ran, and cried, and fled" describes the response of the Midianite army. Overwhelmed by the unexpected chaos, they panicked, shouted, and fled from the Israelites. This victory was achieved not through sheer numbers or military might but through God’s intervention and the obedience of Gideon and his chosen warriors.
This account of Gideon and the 300 men demonstrates the power of God to deliver His people and achieve victory even in seemingly impossible situations. It teaches us that we should rely on God’s guidance and trust in His strength rather than our own abilities. It also serves as a reminder that God often chooses the weak and insignificant to accomplish His purposes, so that His glory may be displayed more prominently.
Overall, Judges 7:21 highlights the faith and obedience of Gideon and the miraculous intervention of God, leading to the defeat of the Midianites.
