May 28, 2026

Gideon has an army that started out with 32,000 men but the Lord sent people home until it numbered 300. The Lord put 300 Israelites against an innumerable army so that they would know the Lord has delivered them. This is a beautiful representation of how the Lord delivers us. 300 vs innumerable hosts represents the impossibility of saving ourselves. It is only through our Redeemer and His infinite sacrifice we are saved.

The Midianite army was near the hill Moreh, which means teacher. It is here that the Lord taught, again, the children of Israel to rely on Him for salvation.

Gideon gave instruction and the people followed him, as we must follow the words of the prophets today to live, and through a miracle they were delivered.

One last note - every once in a while I find, not a translation, but a pronunciation that means something different in English yet is relevant to learn from even if it was not intended. In the case of this story, the enemy of the Israelites, those that did not follow God, were so scared when the Israelites blew their trumpets that they "fled to Beth-shittah". I think there's a lesson in that.