Judges 7:1 to 7:23 God doesn't need huge numbers or earthly power to win; he uses humble, faithful people so he alone receives the glory. Understand why God reduced Gideon's army from thirty-two thousand to just three hundred. Examine the unusual weapons: clay jars, flaming torches, and ram's horns. Learn that our weakness is an opportunity for God's strength to shine. In the era of the Judges, cruel Midianite raiders invaded Israel like swarms of locusts. God called timid Gideon, threshing wheat in a hidden winepress, to be a mighty man of valor. Too Many Soldiers Gideon assembled thirty-two thousand Israelite men to fight the Midianite army, which numbered over one hundred and thirty thousand! But God said: "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'" God told anyone who was afraid to go home. Twenty-two thousand left, leaving ten thousand. The Water Test and Three Hundred God said, "There are still too many!" He had Gideon bring them down to the water. Those who knelt down with their faces in the water were dismissed, but three hundred men who cupped water in their hands to lap it like a dog, keeping their eyes up and alert, were chosen. God said: "With these three hundred men I will save you!" Jars, Torches, and Horns In the middle of the night, Gideon divided the three hundred men around the Midianite camp. Each man carried a trumpet in one hand and an empty clay jar with a hidden flaming torch in the other. At Gideon's signal, they blew their trumpets, smashed the jars with a crashing roar, and held up blazing torches crying: "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!" The Midianite camp was thrown into chaos and fled in panic. God gave Israel a miraculous victory! Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 Why did God reduce Gideon's army from thirty-two thousand men? Lest Israel boast that their own strength saved them Because there was not enough food Because they were tired Because Gideon disliked crowds Lest Israel boast that their own strength saved them Judges 7:2 reveals God wanted all glory and praise to belong to him alone. How many soldiers did God choose to defeat the vast Midianite army? Three hundred men Ten thousand men Five thousand men Fifty men Three hundred men God selected just three hundred men to show that victory belongs to the Lord. What unusual weapons did Gideon's three hundred men carry? Trumpets, clay jars, and flaming torches Heavy iron swords and shields Long spears and bows Chariots of gold Trumpets, clay jars, and flaming torches They blew trumpets, broke clay jars, and held blazing torches in the night. When you feel small, weak, or outnumbered this week, remember Gideon's three hundred. Offer your small strength to God and watch him work. Lord of hosts, you do not need mighty armies to accomplish your will. Thank you that when I am weak, you are strong. Help me never to boast in my own abilities, but to give you all the praise and honor for every victory. In Jesus' name, Amen. Why does God often use small things and weak people to accomplish great victories? How can we give God the credit when we do well in school, sports, or music? Explorers learn that true victory comes from God's Spirit, and that God uses our weakness to display his glory. Show a clay pot or mug and a small flashlight. Demonstrate how breaking the jar suddenly releases the bright light! That is how God worked through Gideon. Why did Gideon ask God for signs with the wool fleece? Gideon was timid and wanted assurance that God was truly with him; God graciously encouraged Gideon's weak faith. 5 min Hook & Prayer, 12 min Interactive Narrative, 8 min Memory Verse Unscramble, 5 min Quiz