The Defeat of Gideon’s Foes

Judges 7:16–25
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The Israelites strategy unfolded as the 300 soldiers were divided into three companies (v. 16). Each warrior had a trumpet and a pitcher containing a lamp. When Gideon gave the signal, all acted at the same time (vv. 17-18). They blew the trumpets, shattered the pitchers, raised the lamps, and shouted, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon” (v.20). This would have been at 10 p.m., since this was the beginning of the middle watch (v. 19), and the night was divided into three periods of 4 hours each starting at 6 p.m. 

The attack happened exactly as planned which created total panic and confusion among the Midianites. They pictured every trumpeter leading a full battalion of soldiers and that they were coming in from all sides. In a hurry to escape many of the enemy soldiers killed each other. The enemy soldiers started yelling and tried to run away. Gideon’s troops stayed in their positions surrounding the camp (v. 21). When Gideon’s men blew the 300 trumpets the LORD made the enemy soldiers pull out their swords and start fighting each other (v. 22). The enemy army tried to escape and ran toward Zererah. Gideon then called upon the northern tribes to send troops and intercept the retreating Midianites at the river Jordan (vv. 23-25). These troops captured Raven and Wolf, the two Midianite leaders and killed them. The men of Ephraim brought the heads of the two Midianite leaders to Gideon.

Application

When facing a difficult situation, I need to learn the lesson of waiting for the Lord’s answer rather than trying to force some solution in my own strength.