“And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude, and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.”
This verse is part of the account of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel. Gideon:was called by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites, who had been ravaging their land for seven years. In preparation for battle, Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men. However, God had a different plan in mind.
In the preceding verses, God:tells Gideon that his army is too large for Him to deliver the Midianites into their hands. He instructs Gideon to allow anyone who is fearful or afraid to return home. Out of the 32,000 men, 22,000 were afraid and left, leaving only 10,000 men remaining.
But God:still saw the number as too great, and He gave Gideon another test. Gideon was instructed to bring the remaining soldiers down to the water, where God would further sift them out. Those who lapped water like a dog were selected, while those who knelt down to drink were disqualified. Only 300 men were left after this test.
Now, we come to Judges 7:12:where Gideon and his servant sneak into the enemy camp during the night and overhear a conversation between two men. The verse describes how the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the children of the east, which were allies in this battle, were camped in the valley. The verse emphasizes the vast number of their forces by comparing them to grasshoppers and their camels to the sand by the sea side for multitude.
This verse sets the stage for the remarkable victory that God:brings about through Gideon and his small army of 300 men. Despite being vastly outnumbered, God empowers Gideon and his soldiers to defeat the Midianites and their allies using unconventional tactics. Gideon divided his small force into three companies and armed them with trumpets, empty pitchers, and torches. At Gideon’s signal, they blew their trumpets, smashed the pitchers, and shouted, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” This unexpected noise and the appearance of torchlight all around the camp caused confusion and panic among the enemy forces. In their confusion, the Midianites turned on each other, resulting in a great victory for Israel.
The story of Gideon:and the battle against the Midianites highlights the power of God and His ability to accomplish great things even with a small and seemingly insignificant group of people. It teaches us that victory does not depend on human strength or numbers but on God’s:presence and intervention. It also encourages us to trust in God’s:guidance and not to rely solely on our own understanding.
In summary is removed as per the instruction, here is the revised paragraph: Judges 7:12:emphasizes the immense number of the enemy forces facing Gideon and the Israelites. This verse serves as a backdrop to the miraculous victory that God brings about through Gideon and his small army, showcasing the power and faithfulness of God in delivering His people.
