Judges 7:1-8 – God’s Strength in Human Weakness
In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Apostle Paul reports the words of the Lord to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” God displays His strength in human weakness. Last week, we saw that the LORD was pleased to use a man of weak faith, who was considered least in his father’s house from a weak clan in Manasseh – a weakened tribe in an oppressed nation – to be the next deliverer of Israel. Today, we see that He is going to leave no room for doubt – Israel’s deliverance comes from the LORD.
In chapter six, we are told that the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Napthali have answered Gideon’s call to prepare for war against the Midianites and their allies. Now, Gideon and his army encamp south of the enemy camp, which is by the hill of Moreh in the Jezreel valley, and God tells Gideon his army of thirty-two thousand is too numerous. So, at His command, Gideon gives leave for any of his men who are exceedingly fearful to go home, at which twenty-two thousand depart. However, the remaining ten-thousand are still too many. So God winnows them further, dividing the soldiers by the way they drink water. The smaller group of three-hundred is taken. It is with this much smaller army that God will show His strength. Against what would otherwise be impossible odds, God will make this small army victorious.
The LORD is likewise pleased to show His strength in our weakness, today. Rather than lamenting our limitations, let us praise God that He does so much with so little.
Questions
- Why did God choose a man of weak faith from a weak clan?
- Why did He reduce the numbers of Gideon’s army so drastically?
Prayer Points
- Praise God that He shows His strength in our weakness.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.