Peace Through WarSample

Gideon and the Midianites

For seven years, Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples oppressed Israel, raiding their crops and resources, forcing Israelites to hide in caves. Israel cried out to God, who sent an angel to Gideon, a man threshing wheat in a winepress, whom God called a "mighty man of valor" to deliver them.

The story of Gideon and the Midianites, found in the biblical Book of Judges, tells how God chose the hesitant Gideon to save Israel from Midianite oppression. God dramatically reduced the army from a force of 32,000 men to just 300, who then used shofars (trumpets), torches, and jars to surprise the enemy in a night attack. The sudden noise and lights terrified the Midianites, who mistook it for a massive army and began fighting and fleeing in chaos, as God then caused them to turn on each other. In fear, the Midianites began to panic and fight among themselves, leading to their defeat.

God often provides strategies using the ordinary in an unordinary way to achieve extraordinary results. The lesson of Gideon’s War against the Midianites is one of faith and trust. Gideon’s leadership was characterized by a belief in God’s presence and promises, which led to success even when the odds seemed insurmountable. We, too, can be assured of victories when we abide in the Lord and remain steadfast and faithful.