Enough for God

God did not select a great warrior to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. He chose instead a simple farmer, one who describes his family clan as the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh and himself as “ ‘the least in my father’s house.’ ” In and of himself, Gideon is not a “ ‘mighty man of valor.’ ” However, God is going to be with him, so he will prevail—to the glory of God. Now, as Gideon readies his troops for battle, God again stacks the odds—at least in human terms—to assure that the Israelite victory will be ascribed to Him alone.

With his faith bolstered by God’s gracious condescension to his “fleece” requests, Gideon rises early in the morning and leads his troops to a new camp. Confident now that he is God’s instrument, he is eager to launch an attack. But God is not yet ready. He tells Gideon, “ ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands.’ ” We are told that thirty-two thousand men (v. 3) have answered Gideon’s call to oppose about one hundred and thirty-five thousand Midianites (Judg. 8:10). And yet, the Israelites are too many for God. Why? Because thirty-two thousand men conceivably could be just enough, under the right conditions, for Israel to congratulate itself for victory in the impending battle. But God has said that He is going to deliver Midian into Israel’s hands, and He wants His people to have no doubt that He is their true deliverer.

And so, God instructs Gideon to let all those who are fearful depart, a procedure Moses commanded (Deut. 20:8). Some twenty-two thousand men accept this offer. However, the remaining ten thousand are still too many for God’s purposes. So He instructs Gideon to bring his men down to a nearby body of water and to let them drink, observing the method they use. He is to separate those who lift water to their mouths with their hands from those who kneel down to put their faces to the water. Only some three hundred use their hands, and by these, God says, “ ‘I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand.’ ” The rest of the troops are dismissed, while the three hundred are lightly provisioned (with only as much as they can carry) and given, of all things, a trumpet. Thus “equipped,” this tiny band of Israelites prepares for what truly is a titanic mismatch—in Israel’s favor, thanks to its almighty ally.