Judges Chapter 7
The Battle Against Midian
A. Israel’s Small Army Is Too Big for God to Use (Judges 7:1–3)
Judges 7:1–3
“Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the well of Harod, so that the camp of the Midianites was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley. And the Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, “My own hand has saved me.” Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, “Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.”’ And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained.” (Judges 7:1–3, NKJV)
a. God Declares the Army Too Large to Use for His Glory
The Lord made it abundantly clear to Gideon that He did not want Israel to win this battle through any appearance of human strength. Though Gideon's army already stood at a disadvantage, with only 32,000 men facing approximately 135,000 Midianites (see Judges 8:10), God declared that the army was still too large. The issue was not tactical but theological. If Israel succeeded with 32,000 soldiers, they might believe their own bravery, military strategy, or leadership had achieved the victory. God wanted to eliminate any possibility of human boasting so that the outcome would unmistakably glorify Him alone. This is consistent with the truth expressed in Isaiah 42:8, which says, “I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.”
b. Fearfulness Disqualifies Soldiers from Participation
Gideon was instructed to publicly declare that any man who was fearful could leave the battlefield. This command reflects the principle laid out in Deuteronomy 20:8, which states, “The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart.’” This was not merely to boost morale, but to remove the contagion of fear that could demoralize the army. When Gideon obeyed and gave the call, twenty-two thousand men left, and only ten thousand remained. This would have been a staggering blow to Gideon’s confidence. Nearly seventy percent of his already outnumbered force deserted. From a human standpoint, this would seem like a catastrophe, but it was by divine design.
c. The Sight of the Enemy Exposed the Condition of Their Faith
The encampment was positioned near the hill of Moreh, giving Israel a clear vantage point of the Midianite horde below. Seeing the vast enemy forces caused thousands of Israelites to be overwhelmed with fear. This reveals the spiritual condition of the nation. Faith was lacking. They were willing to march to battle, but not willing to risk their lives unless the odds were favorable. This is in stark contrast to men like David, who later declared, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7, NKJV), and who confronted Goliath not with superior weaponry but with confidence in God's power.
d. God Intentionally Weakens Human Strength to Magnify His Own
God’s purpose was not to make Israel strong, but to make them dependent. He said plainly, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me.” If God had allowed Israel to prevail with 32,000 men, they could have claimed they were simply courageous underdogs who overcame a stronger army. But God wanted the circumstances so lopsided that the only possible explanation for victory would be divine intervention. This principle is echoed in Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts, and reinforced by 1 Corinthians 1:29, “That no flesh should glory in His presence.”
e. The Theological Implication: God’s Strength Is Made Perfect in Weakness
The Lord often works through weakness to accomplish His purposes. The Apostle Paul was taught this lesson in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Likewise, God would reduce Gideon’s army again before the battle was ready, emphasizing this spiritual truth. The glory belongs to the Lord, and the instrument He uses must never rob Him of it.
f. Summary: The Testing of Faith and the Necessity of Humility
Gideon’s faith was being refined by this pruning of troops. A faithful leader must learn to trust God’s Word above what his eyes see. Though this move would alarm any military commander, Gideon obeyed. This demonstrates not only Gideon’s growing trust in the Lord but also God's commitment to work in such a way that there can be no confusion about who the true Deliverer is. The Lord alone was Israel’s salvation, and He would make certain that the entire nation knew it.
2. Gideon Must Separate the Men According to a Particular Test (Judges 7:4–8)
Judges 7:4–8
“But the Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. Then it will be, that of whom I say to you, “This one shall go with you,” the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you, “This one shall not go with you,” the same shall not go.’ So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, ‘Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.’ And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water. Then the Lord said to Gideon, ‘By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.’ So the people took provisions and their trumpets in their hands. And he sent away all the rest of Israel, every man to his tent, and retained those three hundred men. Now the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.” (Judges 7:4–8, NKJV)
a. The People Are Still Too Many
Even after the fearful twenty-two thousand had departed, and only ten thousand remained, the Lord declared the army was still too large. God again underscored the danger of self-glorification, which He despises. When the human element is prominent, pride follows close behind. Scripture is clear: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The principle is not simply that God can work with few, but that He prefers to work through few, so that there is no confusion about where the power lies. Victory does not come by the strength of numbers but by the hand of the Lord.
b. Bring Them Down to the Water, and I Will Test Them There
God initiated a second, seemingly strange test to thin the ranks even further. The Lord told Gideon that He Himself would perform the test, indicating a sovereign evaluation that transcends human judgment. The test was not arbitrary. It was designed to reveal the character and posture of the men. God alone knows the hearts of men, and this test exposed more than physical habits; it revealed mindset and alertness.
c. The Method of Drinking Reveals a Soldier’s Disposition
There were two kinds of men at the stream: those who got down on both knees and plunged their faces into the water, and those who knelt briefly and brought water to their mouths with their hands while keeping their eyes and posture alert. Only three hundred men chose the latter. These were likely more disciplined, more watchful, and more prepared to be vigilant in the presence of the enemy. As the Apostle Paul exhorted, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Those who stooped low in abandon may have prioritized comfort or were less aware of their surroundings—hardly suitable for battle conditions.
d. As a Dog Laps
The phrase “as a dog laps” used here refers to the men who lowered their faces to the water directly, mimicking the posture of an untrained and unalert animal. The Hebrew word yalok is onomatopoetic, mimicking the sound of a dog lapping water. This distinction was not about dignity, but about readiness. As one commentator notes, “The test was peculiarly military. Men in such a position were not on guard against sudden surprise.” Soldiers who bent down to drink in such a manner were inattentive to the presence of an enemy nearby.
e. Only the Three Hundred Remained
Out of ten thousand men, only three hundred passed this divine test. The odds were now staggering: 300 Israelites facing approximately 135,000 Midianites, a ratio of about 1 to 450. There could be no illusion of victory by human strength. This ensured that God alone would receive the glory. As God said, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand.” It was a reminder of Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
This principle finds further reinforcement in the life of the Apostle Paul. He testified that he was given a thorn in the flesh, “lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations” (2 Corinthians 12:7). And he declared the lesson he learned from it: “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me… For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).
f. God’s Victory Will Not Be Shared with Human Pride
The Lord does not need a majority to accomplish His will. He delights in using the weak, the small, and the humble to shame the strong. As Paul wrote, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Gideon would soon see that God’s power is not hindered by a lack of numbers. His sovereignty is total. What He ordains, He accomplishes.
g. The Army Is Sent Away in Peace
The seven hundred who failed the test were not punished or shamed, only dismissed. Each was sent back to his tent, showing that this was not about condemnation but about consecration. These three hundred were divinely selected for a special task—to participate in a supernatural victory. They received trumpets and provisions, not swords, highlighting again that this would be no ordinary battle. The camp of Midian lay in the valley below, unaware that God’s chosen instruments for judgment were few in number but mighty through Him.
3. Gideon Must Spy on the Camp of the Midianites and Find Encouragement (Judges 7:9–11)
Judges 7:9–11
“It happened on the same night that the Lord said to him, ‘Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.’ Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp.” (Judges 7:9–11, NKJV)
a. Arise, Go Down Against the Camp: The Promise of Victory Precedes the Battle
Once again, the Lord spoke directly to Gideon, this time during the night. The Lord commanded, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.” This is not a future promise but a present reality. In God's eyes, the victory was already accomplished. Though from a human standpoint, Gideon had not yet struck a blow, the outcome was certain because the Lord had ordained it. This echoes the timeless truth of Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
The Lord’s command was clear and direct, but it was also infused with divine encouragement. God does not call His servants to step out in faith without also providing sufficient strength and assurance to obey. When He told Gideon to “go down,” He was calling him to take a bold step of trust, but He immediately followed it with a tender offer of reassurance.
b. But If You Are Afraid to Go Down: The Compassionate Assurance of the Lord
The Lord, in His infinite mercy, acknowledged Gideon’s human frailty. Though Gideon had already shown great faith by tearing down the altar of Baal, assembling an army, and obeying difficult instructions, the Lord knew that fear still lingered in his heart. Instead of rebuking Gideon for his hesitation, God graciously made a provision: “But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant.”
This is a clear display of the character of our God. He is not a distant commander who demands blind obedience without support. He is a tender Shepherd who strengthens the weak and reassures the hesitant. Psalm 103:13–14 says, “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Gideon was not rebuked for needing encouragement. He was invited to receive it.
c. You Shall Hear What They Say, and Afterward Your Hands Shall Be Strengthened
The Lord promised that what Gideon would overhear in the enemy camp would be the very thing to strengthen him for the battle. This further shows that the Lord is actively involved in providing courage to His servants. He knows that faith is not the absence of fear but the willingness to obey despite it. Gideon would find strength not through flattery, but through providential confirmation that the fear of the Lord had already begun to fall upon the enemy.
The phrase “afterward your hands shall be strengthened” speaks to both resolve and readiness. Hands that were formerly hesitant would be made ready for war. As Psalm 144:1 declares, “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” This is spiritual preparation. God was not just sending Gideon into physical combat; He was preparing him spiritually to stand in confidence and lead others.
d. Then He Went Down with Purah His Servant
Gideon responded immediately to the Lord’s invitation for encouragement. He did not allow pride to keep him from accepting the help that God offered. He brought along Purah, his servant, likely for both companionship and witness. This further demonstrates that while Gideon was growing in boldness, he was still human, still in need of encouragement, and still willing to take the path God laid before him. This moment of spying out the camp was not an act of cowardice but a step in strengthening his resolve.
They descended quietly to “the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp.” This position was on the edge of enemy territory, dangerous but divinely appointed. God was leading Gideon straight to the place where he would overhear something that would turn the tide in his spirit. The Lord was already at work in the hearts of the Midianites, and Gideon was about to witness it firsthand.
4. God Reassures Gideon Through the Midianites (Judges 7:12–15)
Judges 7:12–15
“Now the Midianites and Amalekites, all the people of the East, were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude. And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream to his companion. He said, ‘I have had a dream: To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed.’ Then his companion answered and said, ‘This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp.’ And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, ‘Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.’” (Judges 7:12–15, NKJV)
a. The Enemy Was Vast and Intimidating, Yet Unprepared for God’s Power
The passage opens with a vivid image of the enemy’s strength: “the Midianites and Amalekites, all the people of the East, were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts.” Their overwhelming numbers are emphasized by the comparison to “the sand by the seashore,” a metaphor commonly used in Scripture to communicate immensity beyond human reckoning (Genesis 22:17). Their camels were so many they could not be counted, an ominous detail since camels were a superior tactical advantage in desert warfare. This visual would be deeply intimidating to any human observer, especially a commander who now led only 300 men. Yet what followed would invert the entire power dynamic.
b. A Dream About a Barley Loaf Brings a Prophetic Message of Victory
Gideon overheard an enemy soldier describing a dream: “To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed.” Barley bread was the food of the poor, the lowly, and the common. In Israel, barley was considered inferior to wheat. It was a humble symbol—plain, coarse, and undesirable. In this imagery, the barley loaf represented Gideon and his ragtag army. From a worldly standpoint, they were unimpressive, poor, and weak.
Yet the loaf—symbolizing the despised and overlooked—was used by God to flatten the tent, likely a representation of a Midianite command structure. It overturned and collapsed, not by the force of a mighty warrior, but by a lowly loaf. This illustrates 1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise.”
i. “Barley-meal was rather food for dogs or cattle than for men; and therefore the barley cake would be the emblem of a thing despised.” This quote from Spurgeon captures the heart of the symbolism. God was not using noble or strong means, but humble instruments.
ii. “A cake of barley bread might be a worthless thing; but if God were behind it, it would upset a tent!” (Meyer). God's power working through the lowly is an unmistakable theme throughout redemptive history.
c. The Interpretation: The Sword of Gideon the Son of Joash
The companion of the dreamer gave an unprompted and startling interpretation: “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp.” Even the enemies of Israel recognized that God had handed them over to Gideon. This was not a psychological tactic from Israel, but divine intervention. The Lord had caused fear and dread to fall upon the Midianites.
This dream, its telling, and its interpretation were providential. It was no accident that Gideon and Purah arrived at that precise moment to hear that precise conversation. The timing reveals God's sovereign orchestration. As Spurgeon imagined Gideon reflecting, “I do not so much rejoice in what this dreamer saith as I do in the fact that he has told his dream at the moment when I was lurking near him.” Indeed, the entire situation showed that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23).
d. God Strengthens Gideon’s Faith, and Gideon Worships
Upon hearing the enemy’s fear and the clear confirmation of God's power, Gideon responded in the only appropriate way: “he worshiped.” This marks a turning point in Gideon’s spiritual leadership. Before, he required fleeces and confirmations; now, in the quiet shadows of the enemy’s camp, he bows in reverent acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. Worship became his first response to revelation. This is the proper pattern for every believer. True courage is born in the presence of God.
e. Arise, for the LORD Has Delivered the Camp into Your Hand
Strengthened by divine assurance, Gideon returned and declared to his 300 men, “Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” Encouraged by God’s providence and confirmed by the enemy’s own fear, Gideon now stood ready to lead. His faith became contagious. Encouragement spread from the leader to the ranks. This is what godly leadership does—it lifts others by being lifted first in the presence of God.
i. “What a pity it is that we should need such little bits of things to cheer us up, when we have matters of far surer import to make us glad!” Spurgeon’s words remind us that while Gideon received a dream for confirmation, he had already heard the voice of God through an angel. We too have the sure Word of God in our hands, and yet so often we crave some lesser sign. Nevertheless, God, in His kindness, accommodates our frailty.
ii. This event reminds us that Satan fears what Christians can become when they believe God. The enemy trembles not at our strength, but at our potential when we obey God in faith. Even today, the world mocks biblical truth outwardly but dreads it inwardly. The preaching of the cross is still “the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18), and faithful believers are still the terror of darkness.
B. The Army Is Now Small Enough to Be Used by God to Win the Battle
1. Gideon Announces a Strange Battle Plan (Judges 7:16–18)
Judges 7:16–18
“Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. And he said to them, ‘Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do: When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!”’” (Judges 7:16–18, NKJV)
a. Then He Divided the Three Hundred Men into Three Companies
Gideon wisely split his small force into three groups of one hundred each. This created the illusion of a larger force when they surrounded the enemy camp from different angles. In this we see that Gideon was no longer paralyzed by doubt. He was now thinking like a commander under divine commission. There is no explicit mention in the text that God gave Gideon this precise strategy through a direct word or vision, but Gideon had already been clothed with the Spirit of the Lord (Judges 6:34), and those who walk closely with the Lord are often led in ordinary decisions by supernatural guidance.
Gideon now acts in faith and initiative. His wisdom and courage, which once seemed hesitant, now reflect the resolve of a man transformed by God’s confirmation. As Psalm 144:1 says, “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” The Lord had refined Gideon and prepared him to lead with courage and cunning.
b. Trumpets, Empty Pitchers, and Torches: The Unconventional Weapons of War
Each man was given three items: a shofar (ram’s horn trumpet), an empty clay pitcher, and a torch hidden inside the pitcher. These are not weapons of battle by any earthly standard. Yet these were the exact instruments God would use to bring chaos to the enemy. The trumpet was used to signal warfare (Numbers 10:9), the pitcher served to conceal the torch until the precise moment, and the light would be revealed suddenly to simulate the approach of multiple units.
This combination was strategic. The trumpet blast would give the impression that a vast army was initiating an attack. Since usually only one trumpet was used per large unit, the sound of 300 trumpets from different sides of the camp would cause panic. The sudden shattering of the pitchers and the abrupt exposure of torchlight would confuse the enemy into believing they were surrounded by a massive army. The plan depended not on brute force but on psychological warfare, timing, and the providence of God.
This again illustrates how God delights in using unconventional tools and humble instruments to accomplish His will. As 1 Corinthians 1:29 declares, “that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
c. Look at Me and Do Likewise: Gideon as an Example of Courage and Obedience
Gideon commanded his men to follow his lead: “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do.” He was not asking them to do what he would not do himself. This is the mark of a true leader—he leads from the front. Gideon no longer questioned the mission, no longer asked for signs. His time in the enemy camp had solidified his faith. Now he was ready to lead others into obedience.
His command also underscores the importance of imitation in spiritual leadership. As Paul would later write in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” The men were to mirror Gideon’s actions precisely. In battle, timing and unity are critical. Likewise, in spiritual warfare, unity under godly leadership produces strength. The Lord had made Gideon an example for others, and now the men were ready to follow his faith and action.
d. Say: “The Sword of the LORD and of Gideon!”
The rallying cry was not simply a battle chant; it was a theological declaration. “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon” placed the true credit for the victory where it belonged—with the Lord. Gideon’s name was attached not out of pride, but because God had chosen to work through him as His vessel. The phrase properly honors divine sovereignty and human instrumentality.
Note that earlier, in the dream overheard in the enemy camp, the Midianites interpreted the barley loaf as “the sword of Gideon the son of Joash” (Judges 7:14). Here, Gideon aligns that fearful reputation with the true source of his strength: “The sword of the Lord.” The Lord does the delivering; Gideon is simply the vessel through whom He works.
This battle cry would instill courage in the hearts of Gideon’s men and terror in the hearts of the enemy. It was not the sword in the hand, but the Word and power of the Lord in the heart, that would win this battle.
2. God Strikes the Army of Midian with a Surprise Attack (Judges 7:19–23)
Judges 7:19–23
“So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers; they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing; and they cried, ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!’ And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath. And the men of Israel gathered together from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and pursued the Midianites.” (Judges 7:19–23, NKJV)
a. A Precisely Timed and Divinely Coordinated Assault
The ambush began “at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch.” This was a critical moment in the night, likely around 10:00 PM, when those on guard were being relieved and the new watch was being stationed. It was a moment of vulnerability and confusion for the enemy, which Gideon exploited masterfully under divine guidance. God had orchestrated this precise timing to maximize the psychological impact of the attack.
At that moment, “they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands.” The sudden and simultaneous noise of 300 trumpets, the smashing of clay pitchers, and the appearance of blazing torches surrounding the camp would have shocked the enemy soldiers from their sleep in a state of utter chaos. The Midianites thought they were under attack by an enormous army, not realizing that each trumpet and torch represented only one man.
b. The Cry: “The Sword of the LORD and of Gideon!”
Gideon’s men cried out in unison, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” This was a powerful psychological blow to the Midianites. The dream one of their own had shared earlier that night (Judges 7:13–14) had already planted fear in their hearts concerning the sword of Gideon. Now that fear was manifesting before their eyes. This battle cry was not motivated by pride, but by strategy. God had already begun to sow terror into the hearts of the enemy, and this shout solidified their panic.
Even if the Midianites did not fully understand who “the Lord” was, they had heard of Gideon, the man whom God had raised up. This was a calculated move of spiritual and psychological warfare. Gideon’s leadership and the Lord’s power worked in harmony to unravel the enemy. As Proverbs 21:31 says, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord.”
c. And Every Man Stood in His Place All Around the Camp
Rather than rushing into battle recklessly, “every man stood in his place.” This is a remarkable image. The 300 men remained stationary, holding their torches and blowing their trumpets. It was the enemy that ran in chaos. The Israelites’ obedience and steadfastness were their strength. In the same way, believers are called to “stand” in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13–14), letting the Lord fight the battle.
d. The LORD Set Every Man’s Sword Against His Companion
The true miracle of this victory is revealed in verse 22: “When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp.” This was divine confusion. The Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples turned on each other in the panic. This was not the result of military strategy alone—it was the supernatural intervention of the Lord. Gideon’s men did not even have to draw their swords initially. The enemy destroyed itself.
This event echoes similar divine victories, such as when the Lord confused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir during Jehoshaphat’s reign (2 Chronicles 20:22–23). The lesson is clear: God does not need numbers or strength to win battles. “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
e. The Flight of the Enemy and the Pursuit of the Faithful
The enemy fled toward “Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.” This long retreat highlights the completeness of the Midianite collapse. The Israelite tribes of Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh rallied in response and “pursued the Midianites.” These tribes had initially responded to Gideon’s earlier call (Judges 6:35) and now joined in mopping up the remnants of the fleeing enemy.
i. “If some have the courage to strike the enemy, there are others who will come out of their hiding-places to hunt the beaten foe.” Spurgeon’s remark underscores the tendency of some to wait until the danger has passed before acting. Yet this too is used by God to secure victory. When bold faith leads the way, even hesitant followers will often rally once the enemy is retreating. This is not ideal leadership, but it is a reflection of the human condition. The lesson is that one man’s obedience, if Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, can mobilize many.
ii. Origen, though allegorical in much of his interpretation, rightly recognized that the gospel minister resembles these 300 in certain respects. The trumpet represents the preaching of Christ crucified. The light in the torch stands for the testimony of holy living. And the breaking of the pitcher reflects the dying to self so that Christ may shine forth. While this should never override the literal meaning, it does illustrate spiritual parallels that edify the believer.
3. Working Toward the Total Defeat of Midian (Judges 7:24–25)
Judges 7:24–25
“Then Gideon sent messengers throughout all the mountains of Ephraim, saying, ‘Come down against the Midianites, and seize from them the watering places as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.’ Then all the men of Ephraim gathered together and seized the watering places as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan. And they captured two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued Midian and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.” (Judges 7:24–25, NKJV)
a. Gideon Expands the Offensive Without Losing Momentum
After the initial victory wrought through divine intervention and psychological warfare, Gideon demonstrated wise military leadership by immediately acting to cut off the enemy’s retreat. He sent messengers to the tribe of Ephraim, commanding them, “Come down against the Midianites, and seize from them the watering places as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.” These strategic locations were along the route the Midianites would have taken to cross the Jordan River and escape eastward into the wilderness. By securing the watering holes and crossings, Ephraim would block both the retreat and resupply of the remaining Midianite forces.
This call to Ephraim was not an act of unbelief on Gideon’s part, nor a contradiction of the Lord’s original strategy to use only 300 men. The Lord started the battle with a few, but now that the enemy was on the run, Gideon wisely brought more Israelites into the fight. Victory initiated by God often requires faithful follow-through by His people. As Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning.” Gideon understood that the battle must be finished thoroughly to ensure lasting peace in the land.
b. The Ephraimites Respond and Strike Down the Princes of Midian
The men of Ephraim responded quickly and effectively. They seized the strategic crossings at “Beth Barah and the Jordan.” There they intercepted fleeing Midianites and captured two key leaders: “Oreb and Zeeb.” These two were referred to as “princes of the Midianites,” likely high-ranking warlords under the greater kings Zebah and Zalmunna (Judges 8:5). The names Oreb and Zeeb mean “raven” and “wolf” respectively—fitting names for violent oppressors who devoured the land like predators.
The men of Ephraim executed Oreb “at the rock of Oreb” and Zeeb “at the winepress of Zeeb.” These executions not only stopped their flight but also symbolized the Lord’s justice falling on those who had ravaged Israel for seven years (Judges 6:1). The locations where they died were thereafter named after them, commemorating the judgment and the deliverance wrought by God through His people. Notably, Zeeb was killed at a winepress—the very place where Gideon himself had been hiding in fear when the Lord first called him (Judges 6:11). Now, that symbol of fear had become a place of triumph.
c. They Pursued Midian and Brought the Heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon
This action signified two things: the complete cooperation between Gideon and Ephraim at this stage of the battle, and the unity of Israel against its oppressors. By bringing the heads of the Midianite princes “to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan,” the Ephraimites acknowledged his leadership and the authority God had given him in this battle. The visible presentation of the enemy’s downfall was both a military report and a spiritual trophy of victory.
i. “They pursued Midian”: God had already thrown the enemy into confusion, but now the people of Israel had to pursue and finish what God had begun. This reflects the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Victory is God’s, but obedience is ours. As Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
**ii. This also illustrates a pattern found throughout redemptive history: God often begins His work through a small remnant or a single individual and then uses that momentum to inspire broader participation. Gideon started with 300, but soon tribes were stirred to action. Likewise, Christ began His ministry with a few disciples, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, the gospel spread to the ends of the earth.
iii. The judgment of Oreb and Zeeb also served as a foreshadowing of the total victory yet to come in the next chapter. Though the battle had turned, the mission was not yet over. True deliverance involves not only breaking the power of the enemy but ensuring that it cannot rise again.
