mh_parser/vol_split/7 - Judges/Chapter 7.xml

<div2 id="Jud.viii" n="viii" next="Jud.ix" prev="Jud.vii" progress="14.57%" title="Chapter VII">
<h2 id="Jud.viii-p0.1">J U D G E S</h2>
<h3 id="Jud.viii-p0.2">CHAP. VII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jud.viii-p1">This chapter presents us with Gideon in the field,
commanding the army of Israel, and routing the army of the
Midianites, for which great exploit we found in the former chapter
how he was prepared by his converse with God and his conquest of
Baal. We are here told, I. What direction God gave to Gideon for
the modelling of his army, by which it was reduced to 300 men,
<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.1 Bible:Judg.7.8" parsed="|Judg|7|1|0|0;|Judg|7|8|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:1,8">ver. 1, 8</scripRef>. II. What
encouragement God gave to Gideon to attack the enemy, by sending
him secretly into their camp to hear a Midianite tell his dream,
<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.9-Judg.7.15" parsed="|Judg|7|9|7|15" passage="Jdg 7:9-15">ver. 9-15</scripRef>. III. How he
formed his attack upon the enemy's camp with his 300 men, not to
fight them, but to frighten them, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.16-Judg.7.20" parsed="|Judg|7|16|7|20" passage="Jdg 7:16-20">ver. 16-20</scripRef>. IV. The success of this
attack; it put them to flight, and gave them a total rout, the
disbanded forces, and their other neighbours, then coming in to his
assistance, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.21-Judg.7.25" parsed="|Judg|7|21|7|25" passage="Jdg 7:21-25">ver. 21-25</scripRef>.
It is a story that shines very brightly in the book of the wars of
the Lord.</p>
<scripCom id="Jud.viii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7" parsed="|Judg|7|0|0|0" passage="Jud 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jud.viii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.1-Judg.7.8" parsed="|Judg|7|1|7|8" passage="Jud 7:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.7.1-Judg.7.8">
<h4 id="Jud.viii-p1.7">Gideon's Three Hundred Men. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1249.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.viii-p2">1 Then Jerubbaal, who <i>is</i> Gideon, and all
the people that <i>were</i> with him, rose up early, and pitched
beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were
on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  2 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p2.1">Lord</span> said unto
Gideon, The people that <i>are</i> with thee <i>are</i> too many
for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt
themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.  
3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying,
Whosoever <i>is</i> fearful and afraid, let him return and depart
early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty
and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.   4 And the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p2.2">Lord</span> said unto Gideon, The people
<i>are</i> yet <i>too</i> many; bring them down unto the water, and
I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, <i>that</i> of
whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go
with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go
with thee, the same shall not go.   5 So he brought down the
people unto the water: and the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p2.3">Lord</span>
said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his
tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise
every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.   6 And
the number of them that lapped, <i>putting</i> their hand to their
mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed
down upon their knees to drink water.   7 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p2.4">Lord</span> said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men
that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine
hand: and let all the <i>other</i> people go every man unto his
place.   8 So the people took victuals in their hand, and
their trumpets: and he sent all <i>the rest of</i> Israel every man
unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host
of Midian was beneath him in the valley.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p3">Here, I. Gideon applies himself with all
possible care and industry to do the part of a good general, in
leading on the hosts of Israel against the Midianites (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.1" parsed="|Judg|7|1|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>): <i>He rose up early,</i>
as one whose heart was upon his business, and who was afraid of
losing time. Now that he is sure God is with him he is impatient of
delay. He pitched near a famous well, that his army might not be
distressed for want of water, and gained the higher ground, which
possibly might be some advantage to him, for the Midianites <i>were
beneath him in the valley.</i> Note, Faith in God's promises must
not slacken, but rather quicken, our endeavours. When we are sure
God goes before us, then we must bestir ourselves, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.24" parsed="|2Sam|5|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:24">2 Sam. v. 24</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p4">II. God provides that the praise of the
intended victory may be reserved wholly to himself, by appointing
300 men only to be employed in this service.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p5">1. The army consisted of 32,000 men, a
small army in comparison with what the Midianites had now brought
into the field; Gideon was ready to think them too few, but God
comes to him, and tells him they are <i>too many,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.2" parsed="|Judg|7|2|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Not but that those did
well who offered themselves willingly to this expedition, but God
saw fit not to make use of all that came. We often find God
bringing great things to pass by a few hands, but this was the only
time that he purposely made them fewer. Had Deborah lately blamed
those who <i>came not to the help of the Lord,</i> and yet in the
next great action must those be turned off that do come? Yes; (1.)
God would hereby show that when he employed suitable instruments in
his service he did not need them, but could do his work without
them, so that he was not indebted to them for their service, but
they to him for employing them. (2.) He would hereby put those to
shame for their cowardice who had tamely submitted to the
Midianites, and durst not make head against them, because of the
disproportion of their numbers. They now saw that, if they had but
made sure of the favour of God, one of them might have chased a
thousand. (3.) He would hereby silence and exclude boasting. This
is the reason here given by him who knows the pride that is in
men's hearts: <i>Lest Israel vaunt themselves against me.</i>
Justly were those denied the honour of the success. <i>My own hand
hath saved me</i> is a word that must never come out of the mouth
of such as shall be saved. <i>He that glories must glory in the
Lord,</i> and all flesh must be silent before him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p6">2. Two ways God took to lessen their
numbers:—(1.) He ordered all that would own themselves timorous
and faint-hearted to be dismissed, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.3" parsed="|Judg|7|3|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. They were now encamped on a
mountain close to the enemy, called <i>Mount Gilead,</i> from
Gilead, the common ancestor of these families of Manasseh, which
were seated on this side Jordan (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.26.30" parsed="|Num|26|30|0|0" passage="Nu 26:30">Num.
xxvi. 30</scripRef>), and thence they might see perhaps the vast
numbers of the enemy; those therefore who were disheartened at the
sight were left to their liberty, to go back if they pleased. There
was a law for making such a proclamation as this, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.20.8" parsed="|Deut|20|8|0|0" passage="De 20:8">Deut. xx. 8</scripRef>. But Gideon perhaps
thought that concerned only those wars which were undertaken for
the enlarging of their coast, not, as this, for their necessary
defence against an invader; therefore Gideon would not have
proclaimed this if God, who knew how his forces would hereby be
diminished, had not commanded him. Cowards would be as likely as
any, after the victory, to take the honour of it from God, and
therefore God would not do them the honour to employ them in it.
One would have thought there would be scarcely one Israelite to be
found that against such an enemy as the Midianites, and under such
a leader as Gideon, would own himself fearful; yet above two parts
of three took advantage of this proclamation, and filed off, when
they saw the strength of the enemy and their own weakness, not
considering the assurances of the divine presence which their
general had received of the Lord, and, it is likely, delivered unto
them. Some think the oppression they had been under so long had
broken their spirits, others, more probably, that consciousness of
their own guilt had deprived them of their courage. Sin stared them
in the face, and therefore they durst not look death in the face.
Note, Fearful faint-hearted people are not fit to be employed for
God; and, among those that are enlisted under the banner of Christ,
there are more such than we think there are. (2.) He directed the
cashiering of all that remained except 300 men, and he did it by a
sign: <i>The people are yet too many</i> for me to make use off,
<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.4" parsed="|Judg|7|4|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. See how much
God's thoughts and ways are above ours. Gideon himself, it is
likely, thought they were too few, though they were as many as
Barak encountered Sisera with (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.4.14" parsed="|Judg|4|14|0|0" passage="Jdg 4:14"><i>ch.</i> iv. 14</scripRef>); and, had he not forced
his way through the discouragement by dint of faith, he himself
would have started back from so hazardous an enterprise, and have
made the best of his own way back. But God saith, they are <i>too
many,</i> and, when diminished to a third part, they are yet <i>too
many,</i> which may help us to understand those providences which
sometimes seem to weaken the church and its interests: its friends
are too many, too mighty, too wise, for God to work deliverance by;
God is taking a course to lessen them, that he may be <i>exalted in
his own strength.</i> Gideon is ordered to bring his soldiers to
the watering, probably to the well of Harod (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.1" parsed="|Judg|7|1|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>) and the stream that ran from it;
he, or some appointed by him, must observe how they drank. We must
suppose they were all thirsty, and were inclined to drink; it is
likely he told them they must prepare to enter upon action
immediately, and therefore must refresh themselves accordingly, not
expecting, after this, to drink any thing else but the blood of
their enemies. Now some, and no doubt the most, would kneel down on
their knees to drink, and put their mouths to the water as horses
do, and so they might get their full draught. Others, it may be,
would not make such a formal business of it, but as a dog laps with
his tongue, a lap and away, so they would hastily take up a little
water in their hands, and cool their mouths with that, and be gone.
Three hundred and no more there were of this latter sort, that
drank in haste, and by those God tells Gideon he would rout the
Midianites, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.7" parsed="|Judg|7|7|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. By
the former distinction none were retained but hearty men, that were
resolved to do their utmost for retrieving the liberties of Israel;
but by this further distinction it was provided that none should be
made use of but, [1.] Men that were hardy, that could endure long
fatigue, without complaining of thirst or weariness, that had not
in them any dregs either of sloth or luxury. [2.] Men that were
hasty, that thought it long till they were engaged with the enemy,
preferring the service of God and their country before their
necessary refreshment; such as these God chooses to employ, that
are not only well affected, but zealously affected in a good thing.
And also because these were the smaller number, and therefore the
least likely to effect what they were designed for, God would by
them save Israel. It was a great trial to the faith and courage of
Gideon, when God bade him let all the rest of the people but these
300 <i>go every man to his place,</i> that is, go where they
pleased out of his call, and from under his command; yet we may
suppose those that were hearty in the cause, though now set aside,
did not go so far out of hearing but that they were ready to follow
the blow, when the 300 had broken the ice, though this does not
appear. Thus strangely was Gideon's army purged, and modelled, and
reduced, instead of being recruited, as one would think in so great
an action it both needed and deserved to be. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p7">3. Let us see how this little despicable
regiment, on which the stress of the action must lie, was accoutred
and fitted out. Had these 300 been double-manned with servants and
attendants, and double-armed with swords and spears, we should have
thought them the more likely to bring something to pass. But,
instead of making them more serviceable by their equipment, they
are made less so. For, (1.) Every soldier turns butler: They
<i>took victuals in their hands</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.8" parsed="|Judg|7|8|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), left their bag and baggage
behind, and every man burdened himself with his own provision,
which was a trial of their faith, whether they could trust God when
they had no more provisions with them than they could carry, and a
trial of their diligence, whether they would carry as much as they
had occasion for. This was indeed living from hand to mouth. (2.)
Every soldier turns trumpeter. The regiments that were cashiered
left their trumpets behind them for the use of these 300 men, who
were furnished with these instead of weapons of war, as if they had
been going rather to a game than to a battle.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.viii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.9-Judg.7.15" parsed="|Judg|7|9|7|15" passage="Jud 7:9-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.7.9-Judg.7.15">
<p class="passage" id="Jud.viii-p8">9 And it came to pass the same night, that the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p8.1">Lord</span> said unto him, Arise, get thee
down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.  
10 But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant
down to the host:   11 And thou shalt hear what they say; and
afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the
host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of
the armed men that <i>were</i> in the host.   12 And the
Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay
along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their
camels <i>were</i> without number, as the sand by the sea side for
multitude.   13 And when Gideon was come, behold, <i>there
was</i> a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold,
I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the
host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell,
and overturned it, that the tent lay along.   14 And his
fellow answered and said, This <i>is</i> nothing else save the
sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: <i>for</i> into
his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.   15 And
it was <i>so,</i> when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and
the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into
the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p8.2">Lord</span> hath delivered into your hand the host of
Midian.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p9">Gideon's army being diminished as we have
found it was, he must either fight by faith or not at all; God
therefore here provides recruits for his faith, instead of recruits
for his forces.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p10">I. He furnishes him with a good foundation
to build his faith upon. Nothing but a word from God will be a
footing for faith. He has this as full and express as he can
desire, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.9" parsed="|Judg|7|9|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. 1. A
word of command to warrant the action, which otherwise seemed rash
and indiscreet, and unbecoming a wise general: <i>Arise, get thee
down</i> with this handful of men <i>unto the host.</i> 2. A word
of promise to assure him of the success, which otherwise seemed
very improbable: <i>I have delivered it into thy hand;</i> it is
all thy own. This <i>word of the Lord</i> came to him the same
night, when he was (we may suppose) greatly agitated and full of
care how he should come off; <i>in the multitude of his thoughts
within him these comforts did delight his soul.</i> Divine
consolations are given in to believers not only strongly but
seasonably.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p11">II. He furnishes him with a good prop to
support his faith with. 1. He orders him to be his own spy, and now
in the dead of the night to go down privately into the host of
Midian, and see what intelligence he could gain: "<i>If thou fear
to go down</i> to fight, go first only with thy own servant
(<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.10" parsed="|Judg|7|10|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) and <i>hear
what they say</i>" (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.11" parsed="|Judg|7|11|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>); and it is intimated to him that he should hear that
which would greatly strengthen his faith. God knows the infirmities
of his people, and what great encouragement they may sometimes take
from a small matter; and therefore, knowing beforehand what would
occur to Gideon, in that very part of the camp to which he would go
down, he orders him to go down and hearken to what they said, that
he might the more firmly believe what God said. He must take with
him <i>Phurah his servant,</i> one that he could confide in,
probably one of the ten that had helped him to break down the altar
of Baal. He must take him and no one else with him, must take him
with him to be a witness of what he should hear the Midianites say,
that out of the mouth of these two witnesses, when the matter came
to be reported to Israel, the word might be established. He must
take his servant with him, because two are better than one and a
little help is better than none. 2. Being so, he orders him the
sight of something that was discouraging. It was enough to frighten
him to discern, perhaps by moon-light, the vast numbers of the
enemy (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.12" parsed="|Judg|7|12|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), the
men like grasshoppers for multitude, and they proved no better than
grasshoppers for strength and courage; the camels one could not
count, any more than the sand. But, 3. He causes him to hear that
which was to him a very good omen; and when he had heard it he went
back again immediately, supposing he now had what he was sent
thither for. He overheard two soldiers of the enemy, that were
comrades, talking; probably they were in bed together, waking in
the night. (1.) One of them tells his dream, and as our dreams
generally are, and therefore not worth telling again, it is a very
foolish one. He dreamed that he saw a barley-cake come rolling down
the hill into the camp of the Midianites, and "methought," says he
(for so we speak in telling our dreams), "this rolling cake struck
one of our tents" (perhaps one of the chief of their tents) "and
with such violence that" (would you think it?) "it overturned the
tent, forced down the stakes, and broke the cords at one blow, so
that the tent lay along and buried its inhabitants," <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.13" parsed="|Judg|7|13|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. <i>In multitudes of
dreams there are divers vanities,</i> says Solomon, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.5.7" parsed="|Eccl|5|7|0|0" passage="Ec 5:7">Eccl. v. 7</scripRef>. One would wonder what odd
incoherent things are often put together by a ludicrous fancy in
our dreams. (2.) The other, it may be between sleeping and waking,
undertakes to interpret this dream, and the interpretation is very
far-fetched: <i>This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon,</i>
<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.14" parsed="|Judg|7|14|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. Our
expositors now can tell us how apt the resemblance was, that
Gideon, who had threshed corn for his family, and made cakes for
his friend (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:Judg.6.11-Judg.6.19" parsed="|Judg|6|11|6|19" passage="Jdg 6:11-19"><i>ch.</i> vi.
11-19</scripRef>), was fitly represented by a cake,—that he and
his army were as inconsiderable as a cake made of a little flour,
as contemptible as a barley-cake, hastily got together as a cake
suddenly baked upon the coals, and as unlikely to conquer this
great army as a cake to overthrow a tent. But, after all, do <i>not
interpretations belong to God?</i> He put it into the head of the
one to dream and into the mouth of the other to give the sense of
it; if Gideon had heard the dream only, and he and his servant had
been left to interpret it themselves, it had so little significancy
in it that it would have done him little service; but, having the
interpretation from the mouth of an enemy, it not only appeared to
come from God, who has all men's hearts and tongues in his hand,
but it was likewise an evidence that the enemy was quite
dispirited, and that the name of Gideon had become so formidable to
them that it disturbed their sleep. The victory would easily be won
which was already so tamely yielded: <i>Into his hand hath God
delivered Midian.</i> Those were not likely to fight who saw God
fighting against them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p12"><i>Lastly,</i> Gideon, observing the finger
of God pointing him to this very place, at this very time, to hear
this dream and the interpretation of it, was exceedingly encouraged
by it against the melancholy apprehensions he had upon the reducing
of his army. He was very well pleased to hear himself compared to a
barley-cake, when it proved to effect such great things. Being
hereby animated, we are told (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.15" parsed="|Judg|7|15|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>), 1. How he gave God the glory
of it; he worshipped immediately, bowed his head, or, it may be,
lifted up his eyes and hands, and in a short ejaculation thanked
God for the victory he was now sure of, and for this encouragement
to expect it. Wherever we are, we may speak to God, and worship
him, and find a way open heavenward. God must have the praise of
that which is encouraging to our faith, and his providence must be
acknowledged in those events which, though minute and seemingly
accidental, prove serviceable to us. 2. How he gave his friends a
share in the encouragements he had received: <i>Arise,</i> prepare
to march presently; <i>the Lord has delivered Midian into your
hand.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.viii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.16-Judg.7.22" parsed="|Judg|7|16|7|22" passage="Jud 7:16-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.7.16-Judg.7.22">
<h4 id="Jud.viii-p12.3">The Midianites Surprised. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p12.4">b. c.</span> 1249.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.viii-p13">16 And he divided the three hundred men
<i>into</i> three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's
hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.   17
And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold,
when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be <i>that,</i> as
I do, so shall ye do.   18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and
all that <i>are</i> with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on
every side of all the camp, and say, <i>The sword</i> of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p13.1">Lord</span>, and of Gideon.   19 So Gideon,
and the hundred men that <i>were</i> with him, came unto the
outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they
had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake
the pitchers that <i>were</i> in their hands.   20 And the
three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held
the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right
hands to blow <i>withal:</i> and they cried, The sword of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p13.2">Lord</span>, and of Gideon.   21 And they
stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host
ran, and cried, and fled.   22 And the three hundred blew the
trumpets, and the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p13.3">Lord</span> set every
man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and
the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, <i>and</i> to the border
of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p14">Here is, I. The alarm which Gideon gave to
the hosts of Midian in the dead time of the night; for it was
intended that those who had so long been a terror to Israel, and
had so often frightened them, should themselves be routed and
ruined purely by terror.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p15">1. The attack here made was, in many
circumstances, like that which Abraham made upon the army that had
taken Lot captive. The number of men was much the same: Abraham had
318, Gideon 300; they both divided their forces, both made their
attack by night, and were both victorious under great disadvantages
(<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.14.14-Gen.14.15" parsed="|Gen|14|14|14|15" passage="Ge 14:14,15">Gen. xiv. 14, 15</scripRef>); and
Gideon is not only a son of Abraham (so were the Midianites by
Keturah) but an heir of his faith. Gideon, (1.) Divided his army,
small as it was, into three battalions (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.16" parsed="|Judg|7|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), one of which he himself
commanded (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.19" parsed="|Judg|7|19|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>),
because great armies (and such a one he would make a show of) were
usually divided into the right wing, and left wing, and the body of
the army. (2.) He ordered them all to do as he did, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.17" parsed="|Judg|7|17|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. He told them now, it is
very likely, what they must do, else the thing was so strange that
they would scarcely have done it of a sudden, but he would, by
doing it first, give notice to them when to do it, as officers
exercise their soldiers with the word of command or by beat of
drum: <i>Look on me, and do likewise.</i> Such is the word of
command which our Lord Jesus, the captain of our salvation, gives
his soldiers; for he has <i>left us an example,</i> with a charge
to follow it: <i>As I do, so shall you do.</i> (3.) He made his
descent in the night, when they were secure and least expected it,
which would put them into great consternation, and when the
smallness of his army would not be discovered. In the night all
frights are most frightful, especially in the dead of the night, as
this was, a little after midnight, when the middle watch began, and
the alarm would wake them out of their sleep. We read of <i>terror
by night</i> as very terrible (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.91.5" parsed="|Ps|91|5|0|0" passage="Ps 91:5">Ps. xci.
5</scripRef>), and <i>fear in the night,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.8" parsed="|Song|3|8|0|0" passage="So 3:8">Cant. iii. 8</scripRef>. (4.) That which Gideon aimed at
was to frighten this huge host, to give them not only a fatal rout,
but a very shameful one. He accoutred his army with every man a
trumpet in his right hand, and an earthen pitcher, with a torch in
it, in his left, and he himself thought it no disparagement to him
to march before them thus armed. He would make but a jest of
conquering this army, and goes out against them rather as against a
company of children than against a host of soldiers. <i>The virgin,
the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee,</i> and <i>laughed thee
to scorn,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.37.22" parsed="|Isa|37|22|0|0" passage="Isa 37:22">Isa. xxxvii.
22</scripRef>. The fewness of his men favoured his design; for,
being so few, they marched to the camp with the greater secresy and
expedition, so that they were not discovered till they were close
by the camp; and he contrived to give the alarm when they had just
mounted the guards (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.8" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.19" parsed="|Judg|7|19|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>), that the sentinels, being then wakeful, might the
sooner disperse the alarm through the camp, which was the best
service they could do him. Three ways Gideon contrived to strike a
terror upon this army, and so put them into confusion. [1.] With a
great noise. Every man must blow his trumpet in the most terrible
manner he could and clatter an earthen pitcher to pieces at the
same time; probably each dashed his pitcher to his next man's, and
so they were broken both together, which would not only make a
great crash, but was a figure of what would be the effects of the
fright, even the Midianites' killing one another. [2.] With a great
blaze. The lighted torches were hid in the pitchers, like <i>a
candle under a bushel,</i> until they came to the camp, and then,
being taken out all together of a sudden, would make a glaring
show, and run through the camp like a flash of lightning. Perhaps
with these they set some of the tents on the outside of the camp on
fire, which would very much increase the confusion. [3.] With a
great shout. Every man must cry, <i>For the Lord, and for
Gideon,</i> so some think it should be read in <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.9" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.18" parsed="|Judg|7|18|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>, for there the sword is not in
the original, but it is in <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.10" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.20" parsed="|Judg|7|20|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>, <i>The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.</i> It
should seem, he borrowed the word from the Midianite's dream
(<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.11" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.14" parsed="|Judg|7|14|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): it is
<i>the sword of Gideon.</i> Finding his name was a terror to them,
he thus improves it against them, but prefixes the name of Jehovah,
as the figure without which his own was but an insignificant
cypher. This would put life into his own men, who might well take
courage when they had such a God as Jehovah, and such a man as
Gideon, both to <i>fight for,</i> and to <i>fight for them;</i>
well might those follow who had such leaders. It would likewise put
their enemies into a fright, who had of old heard of Jehovah's
great name, and of late of Gideon's. The sword of the Lord is all
in all to the success of the sword of Gideon, yet the sword of
Gideon must be employed. Men the instruments, and God the principal
agent, must both be considered in their places, but men, the
greatest and best, always in subserviency and subordination to God.
This army was to be defeated purely by terrors, and these are
especially the <i>sword of the Lord.</i> These soldiers, if they
had swords by their sides, that was all, they had none in their
hands, but they gained the victory by shouting "The sword." So the
church's enemies are routed by <i>a sword out of the mouth,</i>
<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p15.12" osisRef="Bible:Rev.19.21" parsed="|Rev|19|21|0|0" passage="Re 19:21">Rev. xix. 21</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p16">2. This method here taken of defeating the
Midianites may be alluded to, (1.) As typifying the destruction of
the devil's kingdom in the world by the preaching of the
everlasting gospel, the sounding of that trumpet, and the holding
forth of that light out of earthen vessels, for such the ministers
of the gospel are, in whom the treasure of that light is deposited,
<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.6" parsed="|2Cor|4|6|0|0" passage="2Co 4:6">2 Cor. iv. 6, 7</scripRef>. Thus God
chose the <i>foolish things of the world to confound the wise,</i>
a barley-cake to overthrow the tents of Midian, that the
<i>excellency of the power might be of God only;</i> the gospel is
a sword, not in the hand, but in the mouth, the sword <i>of the
Lord and of Gideon,</i> of God and Jesus Christ, him that sits on
the throne and the Lamb. (2.) As representing the terrors of the
great day. So the excellent bishop Hall applies it; if these
pitchers, trumpets, and firebrands, did so daunt and dismay the
proud troops of Midian and Amalek, who shall be able to stand
before the last terror, when the trumpet of the archangel shall
sound, the elements shall be on a flame, the heavens pass away with
a great noise, and the Lord himself shall descend with a shout!</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p17">II. The wonderful success of this alarm.
The Midianites were shouted out of their lives, as the walls of
Jericho were shouted down, that Gideon might see what he lately
despaired of ever seeing, the <i>wonders that their fathers told
them of.</i> Gideon's soldiers observed their orders, and <i>stood
every man in his place round about the camp</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.21" parsed="|Judg|7|21|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>), sounding his trumpet to excite
them to fight one another, and holding out his torch to light them
to their ruin. They did not rush into the host of Midian, as greedy
either of blood or spoil, but patiently stood still to <i>see the
salvation of the Lord,</i> a salvation purely of his own working.
Observe how the design took effect. 1. They feared the Israelites.
<i>All the host</i> immediately took the alarm; it flew like
lightning through all their lines, and <i>they ran, and cried, and
fled,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.21" parsed="|Judg|7|21|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>.
There was something natural in this fright. We may suppose they had
not had intelligence of the great diminution of Gideon's army, but
rather concluded that since their last advices it had been growing
greater and greater; and therefore they had reason to suspect,
knowing how odious and grievous they had made themselves and what
bold steps had been taken towards the throwing off of their yoke,
that it was a very great army which was to be ushered in with all
those trumpeters and torch-bearers. But there was more of a
supernatural power impressing this terror upon them. God himself
gave it the setting on, to show how that promise should have been
fulfilled if they had not forfeited it, <i>One of you shall chase a
thousand.</i> See the power of imagination, and how much it may
become a terror at some times, as at other times it is a pleasure.
2. They fell foul upon one another: <i>The Lord set every man's
sword against his fellow,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.22" parsed="|Judg|7|22|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. In this confusion, observing
the trumpeters and torch-bearers to stand still without their camp,
they concluded the body of the army had already entered and was in
the midst of them, and therefore every one ran at the next he met,
though a friend, supposing him an enemy, and one such mistake as
this would occasion many, for then he that slew him would certainly
be taken for an enemy, and would be dispatched immediately. It is
our interest to preserve such a command of our own spirits as never
to <i>be afraid with any amazement,</i> for we cannot conceive what
mischiefs we thereby plunge ourselves into. See also how God often
makes the enemies of his church instruments to destroy one another;
it is a pity the church's friends should ever be thus infatuated.
3. They fled for their lives. Perhaps when day-light came they were
sensible of their mistake in fighting with one another, and
concluded that by this fatal error they had so weakened themselves
that now it was impossible to make any head against Israel, and
therefore made the best of their way towards their own country,
though, for aught that appears, the 300 men kept their ground.
<i>The wicked flee when none pursueth,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.28.1" parsed="|Prov|28|1|0|0" passage="Pr 28:1">Prov. xxviii. 1</scripRef>. <i>Terrors make him afraid on
every side, and drive him to his feet,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.18.11" parsed="|Job|18|11|0|0" passage="Job 18:11">Job xviii. 11</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.viii-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.23-Judg.7.25" parsed="|Judg|7|23|7|25" passage="Jud 7:23-25" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.7.23-Judg.7.25">
<h4 id="Jud.viii-p17.7">Gideon's Victory. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.viii-p17.8">b. c.</span> 1249.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.viii-p18">23 And the men of Israel gathered themselves
together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all
Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.   24 And Gideon
sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down
against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto
Beth-barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered
themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and
Jordan.   25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb
and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew
at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads
of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.viii-p19">We have here the prosecution of this
glorious victory. 1. Gideon's soldiers that had been dismissed, and
perhaps had begun to disperse themselves, upon notice of the
enemies' flight got together again, and vigorously pursued those
whom they had not courage to face. The men of Israel out of
Naphtali and Asher who did this (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.23" parsed="|Judg|7|23|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>) were not such as now came from
those distant countries, but the same that had enlisted themselves
(<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.6.35" parsed="|Judg|6|35|0|0" passage="Jdg 6:35"><i>ch.</i> vi. 35</scripRef>), but
had been cashiered. Those who were fearful and afraid to fight
(<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.3" parsed="|Judg|7|3|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>) now took
heart, when the worst was over, and were ready enough to divide the
spoil, though backward to make the onset. Those also that might not
fight though they had a mind to it, and were disbanded by order
from God, did not as those, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.25.10 Bible:2Chr.25.13" parsed="|2Chr|25|10|0|0;|2Chr|25|13|0|0" passage="2Ch 25:10,13">2
Chron. xxv. 10, 13</scripRef>, <i>return in great anger,</i> but
waited for an opportunity of doing service in pursuing the victory,
though they were denied the honour of helping to force the lines.
2. The Ephraimites, upon a summons from Gideon, came in
unanimously, and secured the passes over Jordan, by the several
fords, to cut off the enemies' retreat into their own country, that
they might be entirely destroyed, to prevent the like mischief to
Israel another time. Now that they had begun to fall, it was easy
to say, Down with them, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:Esth.6.13" parsed="|Esth|6|13|0|0" passage="Es 6:13">Esth. vi.
13</scripRef>. They <i>took the waters</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.24" parsed="|Judg|7|24|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>), that is, posted themselves
along the river side, so that the Midianites, who fled from those
who pursued them, fell into the hands of those that waited to
intercept them. Here were <i>fear, and the pit, and the snare,</i>
<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.24.17" parsed="|Isa|24|17|0|0" passage="Isa 24:17">Isa. xxiv. 17</scripRef>. 3. Two of
the chief commanders of the host of Midian were taken and slain by
the Ephraimites on this side Jordan, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.8" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.25" parsed="|Judg|7|25|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. Their names perhaps signified
their nature, <i>Oreb</i> signifies a <i>raven,</i> and <i>Zeeb</i>
a <i>wolf</i> (<i>corvus</i> and <i>lupus</i>). These in their
flight had taken shelter, one <i>in a rock</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.9" osisRef="Bible:Isa.2.21 Bible:Rev.6.15" parsed="|Isa|2|21|0|0;|Rev|6|15|0|0" passage="Isa 2:21,Re 6:15">Isa. ii. 21; Rev. vi. 15</scripRef>), the other
by a <i>wine-press,</i> as Gideon for fear of them had lately hid
his corn by a wine-press, <scripRef id="Jud.viii-p19.10" osisRef="Bible:Judg.6.11" parsed="|Judg|6|11|0|0" passage="Jdg 6:11"><i>ch.</i>
vi. 11</scripRef>. But the places of their shelter were made the
places of their slaughter, and the memory of it was preserved to
posterity in the names of the places, to their perpetual infamy:
<i>Here fell the princes of Midian.</i></p>
</div></div2>