Judges 7:7
*“The LORD said to Gideon, ‘I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.’”* (v.7) This striking statement from Judges 7:7 (NASB-95) takes place near a spring in northern Israel, traditionally understood to be the spring of Harod in the Jezreel Valley. Gideon lived during the period of the judges in the late 12th century BC, a time marked by repeated cycles of Israel's disobedience and subsequent deliverance citeturn0file4. Earlier, Gideon had gathered a larger force to fight the mighty Midianite army, but God intentionally reduced his troops from thousands down to three hundred warriors to reveal that Israel’s victory would come through the LORD’s power, rather than human might citeturn0file3.
In the verse, God clearly declares, *“I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped.”* The phrase underscores how the LORD’s strength transforms seemingly insurmountable odds into an opportunity for faith citeturn0file4. Historically, the Midianites were a nomadic people living east of Canaan, and they oppressed Israel by destroying their crops and livestock (Judges 6:3-6). Gideon himself initially grappled with fear and uncertainty—he threshed wheat in secret to hide from their raids—but God called him a “mighty man of valor,” commissioning him to deliver Israel citeturn0file3. By sending the majority of the Israelite troops home, the LORD demonstrated that even a small number of faithful people can achieve a decisive victory when they rely on Him.
As Gideon obeyed God's instruction to dismiss the excess soldiers, he stood with only three hundred men to face a vast Midianite camp. This scene is a powerful reminder that humility and trust in God surpass human calculation. By allowing God to reshape his courage and actions, Gideon led Israel into triumph—an event still remembered for how divine guidance can conquer all obstacles.
God reduced Gideon's army to show that He alone would gain glory in the victory.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 3:7-8 meaning. The Israelites once again fall into idolatry, worshiping the Baals and Asheroth. As a result, God allows them to be oppressed by Cushan-rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia, for eight years.
- Judges 1:1-7 meaning. After many years as leader of the twelve tribes of Israel, Joshua dies. Though they now live in the Promised Land, the Israelites are still in the process of establishing their control of the region.
- Ruth 2:1-7 meaning. Since there was no one to provide for Ruth and Naomi, Ruth asked if she could go and glean grain to provide food.