“This is the word of the LORD: ‘Not by might nor by power, but BY MY SPIRIT,’ Says the LORD of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6)
When you are faced with an army of 135,000 Midianite soldiers, what do you do? Gideon raised up an army of 32,000 men. “The LORD said to Gideon, “You have TOO MANY WARRIORS with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by THEIR OWN STRENGTH.” (Judges. 7:2) The Midianites had 4.2 times as many soldiers as Israel so the Lord said, “…tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.” (Judges 7:3)
Now, the Midianites had 13.5 times as many soldiers as Israel, but NO, God wanted even less numbers, “…the LORD told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.” Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others drank with their mouths in the stream. The LORD told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. SEND ALL THE OTHERS HOME.” (Judges 7:5-7) Now, we’re at 45 times as many Midianite soldiers as Israel??? Not only that but God told Gideon’s soldiers to take a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. “When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the LORD caused the warriors in the camp to FIGHT AGAINST EACH OTHER with their swords. (Judges 7:22) “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of THE LORD OUR GOD.” (Psa. 20:7)
The Lord wanted these 300 men to observe the GLORY and POWER of God so they could be witnesses of His great power.
-Bill Stockham