Gideon (Jerubbabel) leads 300 men of Israel: Second rank includes all the
tribes but Ephraim; Third Rank: Ephraim
The Enemy's People & Leaders
Amalekites and Midianites, Children of the East
Object
To overtake the Midianites, Amalekites and Children of the East which numbered in
the thousands. They threatened to wipe out Israel.
Strategies
God wakes Gideon up and tells him the enemy is given into his hand.
300 of the thousands of Israel are chosen for battle by how they drink from a brook
Gideon, in obedience takes Phurah and eavesdrops on enemies outside of camp.
Battle begins in third Watch (darkness: 'thief in the night')
The 300 are divided into 3 camps/divisions.
Every man given a trumpet, empty pitcher and lamps
Men instructed to follow and emulate everything Gideon does
Divisions surround the valley camps of the Midianites and Amalekites
At instruction, trumpets blown, pitchers broken, and they shout, "The Sword of the Lord & of Gideon
Location
by hill of Moreh , the North side, in the valley where the Midianites encamped. Beside the well of Harod, near Mt.
Gilead (v.3)
Intelligence
Eavesdropping on Enemies Outside Camp
Clear direction of Lord of Victory before battle; seeking of the Lord, and listening.
Prophecy in Dream: Barley loaf smites tent of Midianites (Word of God gives victory)
Confirmation of Sword of Gideon winning in God's Power
Outcome
Host of Midianites ran, cried and fled after the surrounding & sound.
Midianites turned on themsleves and began to fight
Fled to Beth Shittah in Zererath and border of Abelmeholah to Tabbath.
Then, all the men of Israel which remained behind the 300 pursued the Midianites and others to far reaches.
Two Princes taken: Oreb and Zeeb: both slain by Israelites.
Spoils
Ephraim instructed by Gideon to take the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan, which they did.note
Valley taken, Midianites and Amalekites defeated.
Spiritual Implications
Victory is learned of outside the camp (Gideon & Phurah)
The vision /dream/prophecy teaches that the "Bread" winds against the camp of the Adversary
The pitchers and lamps foreshadow the "Light of the World" indwelling the vessel, and that light
escaping bringing victory and putting fear into the heart of the enemies of Israel.
Trumpet sound and the breaking of clay vessels revealing light, type and shadow of the Rapture.
All that was recaptures was of critical importance later in God's plan: Bethabara was
where John the Baptist baptised.
Glory was to God alone: Battle belonged to the Lord.
Obedience to Lord required: Reducing human power and numbers (by direction); humbling selves (e.g. lapping water and
going with symbolic, 'odd' weapons
Trusting God totally and walking directly in fath into utter fear of a massive enemy
Rest of Israel gleaned rewards of the faith and bravery of a few.
Utter Victory through utter faith
One of the greatest Biblical instances of the the Faith of All Israel (Kol Y'Israel)
bringing victory against one of the most massive encampment of enemies which confronted them.
Type and shadow of the Last Battle.
Implications for Faith
Battles are only won in the power of the LORD
The faith required in victorious warfare fought spiritually and not carnally, are fought
in surrender, obedience, and self-less-ness: an emptying of self before God, such that God has
at his disposal all we are and have.
Upon victory, God alone deserves the 'credit'.
God initiated the battle: Obedience only fulfilled the promise of victory
Faith of few vs many: "lest Israel vaunt itself against me" (7:2)
Extreme obedience even in the oddest requests: trusting God over human logic and rationale.
The remarkable thing about this highly unusual warfare, was that it required utter obedience to do an
unusual and 'weird' act against a brutal enemy numbering in the thousands. It would seem insane to the
natural mind. Israel obeyed God, doing the opposite of what the natural demanded. Worldly warfare would
have increased numbers, weapons, planned for frontal and sereptitious attacks, and done so quietly.
The end was not illogical at all, though it could not be seen in the initial request: Israel, while great,
would have been brutalized and used up against the Midianites in the natural. The procedure God commanded
was also strange to the enemy, so much so that they were terrified of what they saw and heard in the night:
breaking shards in 'surround sound'; sudden glaring light, resounding trumpets, and echoing cries of
voices praising God: the enemy is terrified of the events, foreshadowing the fear of the unbeliever at
the Rapture and Return.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
Gideon: name means "cutter of trees' or Jerubbaal: Baal contends(for destroying Baal's altars.
Phurah: means branch.
Moreh is a hill near/in the valley of Jezreel. This is near the location of Megiddo,
where Armaggedon will be fought, and tiny Israel is set to win against the massive armies
of the nations of the world. The covenant stone of Joshua was laid in this area, warning Israel
never to forget her God.
noteBethabarah beyond Jordan where John baptized: utter obedience ripples in effects for centuries
and eternity in establishing God's plan.
PEOPLE : Children of Israel: Band of the selected 300 men
The Enemy's People
& Leaders
LEADERSZebah & Zalmunah: Midianite Kings
Continued Battle from Above
PEOPLE:Army of the Midianites remaining after the above war: about 15,000 men,
"host of the East".
Object of the
Battle
Gideon's men, weary from battle and hungry, pass through Succoth
and Penuel. Gideon asks Succoth and Penuel
to restore his men and give them food to which they reply:
And the princes of Succoth said, [Are] the hands of Zebah and
Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army? Judges 8:6
Both Succoth and then Penuel refuse to aid Gideon's Army, so Gideon Promises their destruction
upon his return from war. Judges 8:7.9
OBJECT: The completion of the war against the Midianites and the taking of their Kings.
Retribution against Succoth and Penuel for failure to feed the Armies of Gideon in pursuit against mutual enemies.
Strategies of the Battle
While the encampment of the Midianites is in Karkor, Gideon and his men
take a path to the east in Nobah and Jogbehah where the host of the enemy are dwelling in tents.
When Zebah and Zalmunna flee, Gideon's army captures them and "discomfits the host"
The battle appears to be at night since Gideon and his men
Jdg 8:13 "And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun [was up],"
Upon his encounter with the Princes of Succoth and Penuel after the war, he keeps his word in their chastisement.
For SuccothThe Curse:
Jdg 8:7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna
into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
& the fulfilling of the curse:
Jdg 8:16 And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the
wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
: and for
PENUEL: THE CURSING
Jdg 8:9 And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I
come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
the Fulfillment:
Jdg 8:17 And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
Place of the Battle
Karkor: Encampment of the Midianites and Zebah and Zalmunnah
Nobah and Jogbehah are where Gideon "smites the host".
Intelligence
The Intelligence is basically that of the first war: Gideon's army knows
where the Midianites
are because they are pursung the 15,000 men remnant left after 120,000 men
fell in the former battle.
INTELLIGENCE RE: SUCCOTH, As Gideon returns victorious from the
battlefield, he encounters a young man
of Succoth. The man gives him information and descriptions about the leaders
(Princes) and 77 elders of Succoth. vs 8:14.
Results of the Battle
Zebah and Zalmunna are captured.
The host is subdued: Gideon's army is victorious
Outcome
The capture of Zebah and Zalmunna 8:12
The Slaying of Zebah and Zalmunna by Gideon for the retribution of the
killing of his family,
whom even Zebah and Zalmunna say when inquired of "
As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children
of a king. (8:18)
The final subduing of the remnant of the huge and brutal army of the
Midianites 8:12.
The Chastisement of Penuel and Succoth (see above)
The Kingship of Israel is offered Gideon but he refuses and insists
that God alone lead Israel.
Jdg 8:23 And Gideon said unto them,
I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall
rule over you.
Spoil
The only direct spoil mentioned is the ornaments around the camel's necks which belonged
to the Midianite Kings and the earrings of the slain men of Midian, which Gideon requested. 8:24
. It may be presumed that they took the spoil of the remnant of the Midianites although
the few Israelites would not have been able to take much at the time. The spoil of Penuel and Succoth is
not directly mentioned.
Spiritual Implications
The Spiritual implications are many: the first being, Gideon's trust in God for Victory.
After the first great victory, Gideon does not quit until the total battle is won: a phenomenal and miraculous win.
It is compounded by the fact of so small an army, but in OBEDIENCE to God: the victory was assured before Gideon ever
went into battle. Among the Judges and Kings of Israel, Gideon is unique for his lifelong devotion with the exception perhaps
of David. Gideon alone appears to clarify and define the need for the God of Israel as the King of Israel. Even after
excellence in spirit and obedience which would more than qualify him for King, he refuses, understanding the necessity
for God to be the leader if Israel is to win her battles.
This is coupled by the recognition of the identity of Israel. Even Zebah and Zalmunna when confronted about who
they slew and were at war with commented that they resembled the "Children of a King"---how remarkable that even unbelieving
and idolatrous Kings understood Israel's relation to God or at least recognized it: while they were speaking with reference
to Gideon, they looked at the Children of Israel and saw a 'royal line': one who would reign and rule. Their recognition is
no less than ours should be: this is the reason Israel was set apart: to be the children of a King who rules Israel, to be a
royal line to one day rule: it is the reason that though centuries and dispersions passed, unlike any other nation on earth,
they retained their identity and land, and bore the glory, messiah and grace of God even when they were unaware of it
The uniqueness of this recognition also causes Gideon to personally slay them when his eldest son refuses being timid
at the task: the Midianite Kings were left without Mercy because they recognized the "Children of a King" and slew them
anyway.
Both Succoth meaning protection, and Penuel, meaning the face of God, refused to succor Gideon's army on their way
to rid Israel and them of this formidable, brutal enemy: this is the reason for their chastisement. The exhausted little
band appointed by God to defeat the Midianites, does exactly that, in a faint condition, but returns to chastise severely
the merciless princes who should have helped. The princes said they would not help because they saw no victory: even when the
300 had already caused 120,000 to perish and the remnant to flee. They were basically snubbing the work and reputation not of
Gideon, but of God. Their rebuke matches their curse: they put Israel alone and tormented out in the desert, they are chastised
with the thorns of the wilderness: Penuel trusted in their high towers, their high tower was removed by the more righteous leader
of Gideon. He removed their trust in the thing that could not save which caused them not to aid their protectors.
Gideon in the beginning handles his own with great diplomacy: Ephraim is incensed that he did not call on their armies
to help (i.e. to share in this great victory). Gideon did not want Ephraim's help though, because of perceived fickleness:
he instead commends them on their victories over Zeeb and others and diplomatically continues without them.
Implications for Faith
Trusting in God alone, even when man, who should righteously help, results in grand and permanent victories: this
area remains in Israel's hand continously, the Midianites are greatly disabled as a threat, and the glory went to God
alone.
Everyone in modern Christendom is running around looking for "Kings", although today it is in the form of advice books,
Christian Celebrities, favored politicians, Bible School teachers, Psychologists, etc. The truth is, wisdom and victory and
character are found alone in God's way and Word, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Man's advice lasts about half an hour before
something changes: his wisdom is finite and fallible: but God can see beyond where we stand, we cannot. This kind of utter
trust is rare today for all of us, but is the trust that brings the victory past death: even when it seems all is lost.
God alone is the victory.
Do we really understand and keep right our view of the nation of Israel and the Children of God in the chosen people?
Much of our modern theology claims that the Church has 'replaced' Israel and that we are now the chosen people instead, but
this is not the teaching of scripture. Scripture teaches the divine plan where we are all saved by the Messiah of God, Jesus,
but the Jews in slumbering unbelief have never lost their place: rather we are grafted in to the vine while Israel slumbers.
The Great Awakening of Israel brings back the fullness of Israel: there will be such joy in that day it will be unspeakable
as the whole body, even us 'converted gentiles' will be brought into the perfection bought for us by Jesus Christ. A slumber
is not a 'cutting off' [karet] : the vine , the true vine of Israel will be grafted back onto its own tree. We are called
to mercy, teaching, grace, and protection of Israel, until God brings back His still greatly loved people, loved now also
for their sufferings of centuries while the excellence of God's way is brought to fruition.
Failure to help in righteous causes may cause severe retribution later. We are called to help each other in the work of
God, not to compete. Battles may be lost when we choose pride instead of God's straight way. Help the servants of God. Conversely,
the hindering of the work brings judgment on all.
Israel's King is her Messiah: this is the Holy One of Israel leading Israel in many forms from the beginning from the Shekinah
Glory in the Holiest of Holies to the guiding pillar in the desert, to the calling Redeemer lifted up for the world's healing.
That is who is to be kept as God and King: of our own lives and Israel.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
1Joshua's Battle against Southern
Canaanites 2Comparison with the Assyrian-Babylonian
Captivity prophesied in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah etc. 3Name
meanings derived from notes in The Open BibleKJV.
Amorites Leaders: Adonizedek, King of Jerusalem Hoham, King
of Hebron, Piram: King of Jarmuth Japhia: King of Lachish Debir:
King of Eglon (Josh 10:3)
Object of the
Battle
Five Kings of the Amorites
hear of Israel's vitories and union with Gibeonites. Feeling threatened,
the attack the Gibeonites (Josh 10:3-5) who ask Joshua for help. Joshua
then attacks the Amorites by the Lord's bidding. (Josh 10:6-8)
Strategies of the
Battle
Israelites traveled from Gilgal
overnight to Gibeon (10:9) chased them to Bethoron where God killed most
of the Amorites with great hailstones all the way to Asekah (10:10, 11)
during battle at Gibeon, God makes Sun to stand still for a whole day (the
moon as well) (Josh 10: 12-14) Israel returns to Gilgal---Amortie Kings
hide in cave at Makkedah, Joshua rolls stones over mouth of cave, Israel
chases and kills most of enemies.
Place of the
Battle
Originated at Gibeon, then to
Bethhoron, and finally ended at Azekah and Makkedah. Israelites journed
from Gilgal to fight. (Joh 10:9-10)
Results of the
Battle
The Gibeonites were threatened with war by Adonizedec, King of Jerusalem
and cohorts because the Gibeonites had made peace with Israel. The Gibeonites send to Joshua to help them
protect their cities; Joshua complies. The Result is a great slaughter at Gibeon, chasing them
all the way to Bethhoron, Azekah and Makkedah. At Azekah, the Lord casts down great stones
from heaven, hailstones are responsible for more deaths than the battle. God gives a sign of the sun
standing still
Spiritual
Implications
Joshua, while being deceived into forming an alliance with the Gibeonites, nonetheless honors
it and his honor and loyalty is rewarded by God in a promise of victory ahead of battle. As Joshua
goes forth, God does abundantly above all asked or expected: those killed by the act of God (hail/stones)
are more than in the natural battle, and the enemies, while targeting the Gibeonites are the formidable
enemies of Israel as well. Joshua did not have to conduct a bloody warfare: many perished by fear
and unbelief, in a futile escape. The absolute certainty of the Victory being God's alone is in the
indelible sign of the Sun standing still: a sign in the heavens of the Power of the God of Israel.
There is some historical evidences in astronomy that this event may be supported.
Implications for
Faith
Honor alliances and Loyalties : God will see the reward
Trust only in God for the Victory
Wait until it is promised
Battle in God's strength and way
Walk forward in action in the natural, committing the thing to the LORD
Attribute the victory in battle to God: understanding His sovereignty
When a formidable sign is given, look for God's meaning and purpose: e.g. When the Sun stood still
after the Hail had defeated Joshua's enemies; it was a confirmation of a)God being the Agent of battle
and b)God being utterly sovereign: if he could end the battle in an afternoon from Heaven,
he could cause the Sun he created to stand still.
Cross-references
& Other Critical Facts
A note of comparison to the Sun-stilling is the
other heavenly phenomena in scripture: for Hezekiah, he command the Sun back one hour; on the
Day of Jesus' atonement and Death, the Sun disappears from the sky, on the day he is born a star
the like of a supernova appears, and in the endtimes, the atmospheric events will be phenomenal:
a blood moon, the sun darkened, the skies rolling back, etc.
After the first great victory, Gideon does not quit until the total battle is won: a phenomenal and miraculous win.
It is compounded by the fact of so small an army, but in OBEDIENCE to God: the victory was assured before Gideon ever
went into battle. Among the Judges and Kings of Israel, Gideon is unique for his lifelong devotion with the exception perhaps
of David. Gideon alone appears to clarify and define the need for the God of Israel as the King of Israel. Even after
excellence in spirit and obedience which would more than qualify him for King, he refuses, understanding the necessity
for God to be the leader if Israel is to win her battles.