Beginning of the End: God’s Simple Battle Plan

 

Through God’s direction a plan of attack was suggested. The three hundred men were divided into three companies. Every man was given a trumpet and a torch that was concealed in a clay pitcher. The men were stationed so that they would approach the Midianite camp from different directions. In the dead of night, at a signal from Gideon’s war horn, the three companies blew their trumpets. Then, breaking their pitchers and waving the blazing torches, they rushed toward the enemy with the terrible war cry, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!”

The sleeping army was suddenly awakened. The soldiers saw the light of flaming torches on every side. They heard the sound of trumpets with the cry of the attackers in every direction. Believing that they were at the mercy of an overwhelming force, the Midianites were panic-stricken. With wild cries of alarm they fled in panic, and mistaking their own companions for enemies, they killed one another.

As news of the victory spread, thousands of the Israelites who had been dismissed to their homes returned and joined in chasing their fleeing enemies. Gideon sent messengers  to the tribe of Ephraim, rousing them to intercept the escaping soldiers at the southern fords. Meanwhile, with his three hundred soldiers, “exhausted but still in pursuit,” Gideon crossed the stream close behind those who had already reached the farther side and overtook Zebah and Zalmunna, the two princes who escaped with fifteen thousand men. He scattered their force completely and captured and killed the leaders.

One hundred twenty thousand of the invaders died and the power of the Midianites was broken. They were never again able to make war on Israel. No words can describe the terror of the surrounding nations when they learned what simple means had succeeded against the power of a bold, warlike people.

The leader God chose to overthrow the Midianites was not a ruler, a priest, or a Levite. He thought of himself as the least important in his father’s house. But he was distrustful of himself and was willing to follow the guidance of the Lord. God selects those whom He can best use. “Before honor is humility.” (Proverbs 15:33). He will make them strong by joining their weakness to His might, and wise by connecting their ignorance with His wisdom.

Few can be trusted with any large amount of responsibility or success without becoming forgetful of their dependence on God. This is why, in choosing instruments for His work, the Lord passes by people whom the world honors as great, talented, and brilliant. They are proud and feel qualified to act without God’s counsel.

Trust in God and obedience to His will are as essential in spiritual warfare as they were to Gideon and Joshua in their battles with the Canaanites. God is just as willing to work with the efforts of His people now and to accomplish great things through weak instruments. God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20).

When the men of Israel had joined together to Gideon’s call against the Midianites, the tribe of Ephraim had remained behind. Gideon did not send them any special appeal, and they saw this as an excuse to not join their brothers. But when news of Israel’s triumph reached them, the Ephraimites were envious because they had not shared it.

After the spectacular defeat of the Midianites, they followed up the battle and helped complete the victory. Even so, they were jealous and angry, as if Gideon had been following His own will and judgment. They did not see God’s hand in Israel’s triumph, and this showed that they were unworthy to be chosen as His special instruments. Returning with the trophies of victory, they angrily reprimanded Gideon: “‘Why have you done this to us by not calling us when you went to fight with the Midianites?’”