“Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.”
Context:The book of Judges records the period of Israel’s history after Joshua’s death, when the Israelites were governed by a series of judges whom God raised up to deliver them from their enemies. Gideon was one of those judges, and this verse describes the situation before a significant battle against the Midianites.
The Character:Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, was a hesitant and humble man whom God chose to lead the Israelites. Despite his initial doubts and fears, God called him to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. Gideon was obedient to God’s call, and he gathered an army to fight against the Midianites.
Preparation:In this verse, Gideon and his men rose up early and pitched their camp near the well of Harod. The positioning of their camp was strategically chosen, as it allowed them to have the advantage of the terrain against the Midianites. The Midianite camp was on the north side, near the hill of Moreh in the valley.
The Well of Harod:The well of Harod was located in the Jezreel Valley, which was a strategic location for military movements. The presence of water was crucial for the survival of an army in the arid region, and the well of Harod provided a water source for Gideon’s camp.
The Midianite Oppression:The Midianites were a nomadic people who had been oppressing the Israelites for seven years. They would invade the land, destroy crops, and plunder their possessions, causing great hardship and suffering to the Israelites. Gideon’s mission was to deliver Israel from this oppression.
God’s Plan:The situation described in this verse shows God’s guidance and strategy for the upcoming battle. Gideon had gathered a large army, but God saw that it was too numerous, and there was a risk that the Israelites would attribute their victory to their own strength rather than acknowledging God’s power. Therefore, God instructed Gideon to reduce the size of his army significantly.
God’s Intervention:In the following verses (Judges 7:2-8), God instructed Gideon to proclaim that anyone who was fearful or afraid should depart from the army. As a result, 22,000 men left, leaving Gideon with only 10,000 soldiers. Still, this number was too large for God’s purposes, and through a process of elimination, God eventually reduced Gideon’s army to a mere 300 men.
Lessons to Learn:This passage teaches us several important lessons. First, God often chooses unlikely and humble individuals to accomplish His purposes. Second, God’s strategies may appear unconventional to us, but His wisdom surpasses our understanding. Third, God desires that we rely on Him rather than our own strength or resources. Lastly, God can accomplish great things with a few who are dedicated and obedient to Him.
By studying Judges 7:1 in its context, we gain insight into the preparation for the battle against the Midianites, Gideon’s obedience to God’s instructions, and the underlying lessons about relying on God’s strength rather than our own.
