“And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.”
This verse is part of the account of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel. Gideon:was called by God to lead the Israelites against the Midianites, who had oppressed them for seven years. The events leading up to Judges 7:20 involve God instructing Gideon on how to assemble an army.
In Judges 7, Gideon:initially gathered a large army of thirty-two thousand men to confront the Midianites. However, God told Gideon that his army was too numerous and that he needed to reduce its size. The reason for this reduction was to ensure that the Israelites would not take credit for the victory and to demonstrate that God was their true deliverer.
God instructed Gideon:to ask the soldiers who were fearful to leave, and twenty-two thousand men departed, leaving only ten thousand. Still, God deemed this number to be too large and commanded Gideon to test the remaining soldiers further. The soldiers were taken to a stream, and those who knelt down to drink directly from the water were separated from those who cupped the water in their hands and lapped it like a dog.
Only three hundred men lapped the water while keeping watch, and God told Gideon:that with these three hundred men, He would deliver Israel from the Midianites. This brings us to Judges 7:20, where Gideon and his men are executing God’s plan.
The verse describes how the three hundred men divided into three groups or companies. Each man held a trumpet in one hand and a torch or lamp in the other. They concealed the torches inside empty clay pitchers, which they would break, revealing the light when Gideon:gave the signal. The blowing of the trumpets and the breaking of the pitchers created a sudden noise and commotion, while the flaming torches were revealed.
Additionally, the men cried out, “The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon!” as they surrounded the Midianite camp. The purpose of their cry was to invoke fear and confusion among the enemy, making them believe that a great army was attacking them from every side.
The significance of this passage lies in the remarkable victory that God achieved through a small, seemingly weak force. Gideon’s:army of three hundred men, equipped only with trumpets, lamps, and pitchers, overcame the Midianite camp. It demonstrates that with God’s guidance and power, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome.
The story of Gideon:teaches us several important lessons. It reminds us that our strength lies in God and not in our own abilities. It also encourages us to trust in God’s instructions and promises, even when they seem unconventional or defy human logic. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder that God often works in unexpected ways to accomplish His purposes.
Application:Judges 7:20 highlights the victorious strategy employed by Gideon:and his three hundred men in their battle against the Midianites. It showcases the power of God and serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience in our own lives.
