Judges 7:17

Gideon, a judge of Israel who lived around 1100 BC, had been tasked by God to deliver His people from the oppression of the Midianites, a nomadic people who wreaked havoc on Israel’s crops and livelihood. After the LORD reduced Gideon’s army from thirty-two thousand men down to three hundred, Gideon gave careful instructions to the small band prepared to attack the Midianite camp. Thus we read how, in the midst of this dramatic moment, he addressed his men by saying, *“Look at me and do likewise. And behold, when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do.” (v.17)* Here, Gideon’s call for obedience and unity among his soldiers resonates with the reality that victory was not based on Israel’s strength alone, but on their faith in God’s plan. citeturn0file17

To visualize this setting, the Midianites camped in the Jezreel Valley north of the hill of Moreh, an area known for its rolling fields and strategic vantage points (Judges 7:1). Gideon led his three hundred men, armed with trumpets and torches hidden in pitchers, to the outskirts of the enemy encampment under cover of night. By instructing his warriors to *“look at me and do likewise” (v.17)*, Gideon modeled courageous leadership, demonstrating that even in the face of overwhelming odds, faithful obedience to God anchors true success. His example reminds us that God often calls on our willingness to trust Him more than our reliance on human might. citeturn0file17

The essence of Gideon’s instruction to his soldiers underscores how individual faithfulness blends into corporate unity. Through this simple command—*“when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do” (v.17)*—Gideon reaffirmed the people’s confidence in God’s deliverance. While Gideon initially saw himself as unlikely to lead, the LORD addressed him as a “mighty man of valor,” revealing God’s pattern of selecting ordinary people for extraordinary tasks when they trust in His power. citeturn0file17

Gideon united his band of three hundred to act in one accord, striking fear into the hearts of the Midianites and showing that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.

Short summary: Gideon directs his three hundred men to mirror his actions at the edge of the Midianite camp, demonstrating that faithful obedience in unity overcomes overwhelming opposition.