Too Much You

Judges 7:1 (ESV) Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

Gideon and his army are READY for battle. 32,000 men get up early to go fight for the Lord. And you would think this is how God will save Israel. It makes sense. But it is not how God works. God will not have Israel boast that they have saved themselves.

Judges 7:2–3 (ESV) The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’ ” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.

Note the phrase, "lest Israel boast over me." God is not about to let Israel believe they are their own saviors. The NIV has the stronger, "boast against me." Meaning that to suggest you can save yourself is to actually live contrary to God Himself! There's also an element of God's Word being trustworthy to those whom He would use. The Law had provisions for just this kind of action in preparations for war:

Deuteronomy 20:5–8 (ESV) Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. 6 And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit. 7 And is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.’ 8 And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.’

Gideon is learning to lean on God's Word and not his own military prowess. This is always the first priority of God's people. He can be trusted in what He has said. 

Finally, there is one more concession God gives Gideon. He tells him to go down to the camp of the enemy by night with his servant if he is still nervous about all this. When he goes, he overhears the conversation of the enemy: 


Judges 7:13–14 (ESV) When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” 14 And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.”

The Lord had already spiritually defeated the enemy of Israel before the battle began. This is a picture of our walk in Christ. Christ has the keys of hell and death. He has conquered our enemy once and for all time. But here's the sad truth: Our spiritual enemy knows he's defeated BETTER than we often do. Now here's the good news: God is willing to patiently reveal this reality and seal it in our hearts. What is our response? It shouls be the same as Gideons:

Judges 7:15 (ESV) As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. 

What else can you do when God takes away what you think you need only to show you that He is all you ever need? We come to Him with gratitude and praise because it's all His grace that enables this in the first place. 

The pattern in Gideon's preparation for war is clear: 

1. He is eliminated of all boasting. 

2. He is affirmed in the Word of God. 

3. He is made aware the Victory is prepared by the Lord.

Now he can fight and win. 

So can you.