JUDGES 7 | The Battle Against Midian

Judges 7 The Battle of Midian
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Our daily devotional on Judges 7 tells the remarkable story of Gideon, a man called by God to lead Israel against the vast Midianite army. Despite overwhelming odds, with only 300 men, Gideon achieves victory—not through military might, but through faith and obedience to God’s plan. This chapter reminds us to see with spiritual eyes rather than physical ones. When we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, like Gideon, we must trust that God is at work. The battle is not ours alone, but the Lord’s, and He deserves the glory for every victory. Let us learn to depend on Him, trusting that He will fight our battles and guide us through our toughest trials. To learn about Gideon, the mighty man of valor, read the daily devotional on Judges 6.

Judges 7 Commentary by Allen J. Huth

Judges 7 is the continuing story of Gideon. Do you see with physical or spiritual eyes? Please read or listen to Judges 7.

Judges 7 is that famous chapter of Gideon. What did I write about this chapter in my journals? Let’s go back to 1983, “Gideon and three hundred deliver Israel from Midianites,” a one-liner.

In 1995, I was trying to find a new career. Before I wrote about my reading in Judges 7, I wrote “Met with International Bible Society and a company called Growth Masters yesterday. I could sell golf marathons part-time starting now and maybe grow into a full-time opportunity. International Bible Society is coming along slowly. Not much of a sign there for full-time work. Met with Bob of American Business Advisors again, though. Things are coming along very well there.”

I have been sharing my prayers about my transition, so here is the prayer of this day. “God’s guidance and direction. His perfect will for our lives. Worship to God. Thanks for how things are coming along. Peace, protection from enemy. A three-month severance from CACI. To continue golf marathon for CACI Educational Foundation or other opportunities.” 

You can see, I was not panicked, I am just praying as we walk through this transition. I did get a three-month severance package from the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, so that probably helped my lack of panic. But I did have faith, as I was interviewing and talking to various people, God was going to move me to the next place.

What Is the Meaning of Judges 7?

I wrote about Judges 7 in 1995, “Numbers aren’t important. What God is doing is important. God wants the glory for His accomplishments, not dependence on ourselves.” Then I wrote, “Fear. Twenty-two thousand were afraid. Gideon was afraid but God still accomplishes His purpose in spite of fear.”

In 2016, I read Judges 7 and wrote, “God wants the glory for battles we win through Him, so He takes thirty-two thousand down to three hundred. Gideon assembled all those tribes to fight the Midianites, who ‘lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore.’

What Was Gideon’s Fear in the Bible?

“Down to three hundred men, no wonder Gideon was afraid. But God is communicating with him. Do we see the world in front of us and fear? Or hear the voice of God and obey? It never says God gave Gideon the battle plan. Did pitchers and torches and trumpets win the battle? Hardly. The Lord set every man’s sword against his comrade and against all the army. Gideon’s army didn’t even have any swords.”

What Does the Story of Gideon Teach?

Why did the Lord do what He did with Gideon? He tells us exactly why in verse 2, “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.’” 

That is the point. Do we give God the credit, God the glory, for the things He does in our lives or do we take the credit? In this instance, God was going to make it very clear Gideon was not going to get the credit for this battle. God reduces Gideon’s army from thirty-two thousand down to three hundred to face the Midianites.

Verse 12 says, “And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.” That is what Gideon sees with his eyes of flesh. There was a massive army assembled against him and he has three hundred people left. But God already told him in verse 9, “That same night the Lord said to him, ‘Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand.’” 

What Are the Lessons Learned from Judges 7?

Do we see with our physical eyes or do we see with our spiritual eyes? Are you facing something right now that is against all odds? Maybe it is a physical challenge. Maybe you received bad news from your doctor.  Maybe your employment is being terminated like I faced in 1995. Or maybe your family is in such disarray that you do not have much hope anymore.

The message in Judges 7, the application to our lives, is to hope against all odds. Ask God to open your spiritual eyes not your physical eyes. Thank Him for your test of faith right now. I hope this story is encouraging to you. Gideon with torches and pitchers and trumpets did not win the battle against that huge army. The Lord did. Depend on Him right now. Let Him fight your battle for you. Win your battle on your knees.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the encouragement of this story about Gideon. May we learn from it and give You and You alone the glory for all the victories in the battles of our lives. Have faith in God and shout the hallelujah! Amen.

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

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The Prayer of Salvation

Jesus, I don't know You, and I don't know what Your plan is for me. But thank you for coming to die in my place. I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong in my life. I don't understand how You could ever forgive me, but if You really would, I would like to accept your free gift of grace and complete forgiveness. Please come into my life and take control, and help me trust You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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