Gideon & the Midianites/Amalekites

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Wars Index: I

The Lord's People
& Leaders
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.

    Gideon Defeats Zebah & Zalmunah

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    The Lord's People & Leaders
  • LEADER: Gideon
  • 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.

    Victory Over the Amorites: Joshua 10note

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    Wars Index: I

    <
    The Lord's People & Leaders
    		 Israelites, Gibeonites
    Leader: Joshua(Josh 10:6-7)
    The Enemy's People & Leaders
    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.


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    1Notes and Research by Brendan Best, E. Best footnotes and references available upon request.
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