and listen to what they are saying. Then your hands will be strengthened to attack the camp." So he went with Purah his servant to the outposts where armed men were guarding the camp. and listenThe Hebrew word for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and obeying. In the biblical context, listening is often associated with obedience to God's commands. Here, Gideon is instructed to listen to the Midianites, which suggests an active engagement with what God is revealing through the enemy's words. This act of listening is a divine strategy, emphasizing the importance of discernment and attentiveness to God's guidance in overcoming challenges. to what they are saying
The phrase underscores the importance of paying attention to the words of others, even those of adversaries. In this context, the Midianites' conversation is used by God to strengthen Gideon's resolve. Historically, this reflects the biblical theme that God can use any situation, even the words of enemies, to fulfill His purposes. It highlights the sovereignty of God in orchestrating events for the benefit of His people. Afterward, you will have the courage
The Hebrew root for "courage" is "חָזַק" (chazaq), meaning to be strong or to strengthen. This promise of courage is significant, as it is not derived from Gideon's own strength but is a divine assurance. The transformation from fear to courage is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating how God empowers His servants to accomplish His will. This divine encouragement is a reminder that true courage comes from faith and trust in God's promises. to go down against the camp
The phrase "go down" indicates a physical movement towards the enemy, symbolizing an act of faith and obedience. In the ancient Near Eastern context, descending into a valley or towards an enemy camp was often a strategic military maneuver. Spiritually, it represents the willingness to confront challenges head-on, trusting in God's provision and protection. This act of going down is a testament to Gideon's growing faith and reliance on God's strength. So he and Purah his servant
Purah, whose name means "branch" or "foliage," serves as a supportive figure to Gideon. The mention of Purah highlights the importance of companionship and support in fulfilling God's mission. In biblical narratives, servants often play crucial roles in the unfolding of God's plans, reminding us that every role, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is vital in God's kingdom. went down to the outposts of the camp
The "outposts" refer to the perimeter or the edge of the Midianite camp, a place of vulnerability and potential danger. This movement towards the outposts signifies a step of faith, as Gideon and Purah position themselves to witness God's unfolding plan. Historically, outposts were strategic locations for gathering intelligence, and here, it becomes a place of divine revelation. This action underscores the theme of stepping out in faith, trusting that God has already prepared the way for victory. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He is known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God. 2. PurahGideon's servant who accompanies him to the Midianite camp. His presence provides Gideon with companionship and support during a critical moment of fear and uncertainty. 3. Midianite CampThe encampment of the Midianite army, which was vast and intimidating to the Israelites. It represents the overwhelming challenge that Gideon and his reduced army faced. 4. God's AssuranceThe event where God instructs Gideon to go down to the Midianite camp to hear something that will strengthen his resolve and faith. Teaching Points God's Patience with Our DoubtsGod understands our human frailty and is patient with our doubts, as seen in His repeated reassurances to Gideon. The Importance of ObedienceGideon's willingness to follow God's instructions, even when afraid, demonstrates the importance of obedience in faith. God's Sovereignty in Our BattlesThe account illustrates that victory comes not by human strength but by God's power and plan. Encouragement through CommunityGideon's relationship with Purah shows the value of having supportive companions in our spiritual journey. Listening for God's VoiceJust as Gideon listened to the Midianite's dream, we must be attentive to how God speaks to us, often in unexpected ways. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Gideon's initial fear and need for reassurance reflect our own spiritual struggles, and how can we seek God's assurance in our lives? 2. In what ways does the account of Gideon and Purah encourage us to seek and value godly companionship in our faith journey? 3. How can we apply the principle of obedience seen in Gideon's actions to our own lives, especially when facing daunting challenges? 4. What are some modern-day "Midianite camps" that we face, and how can we rely on God's sovereignty to overcome them? 5. How can we cultivate a practice of listening for God's voice in our daily lives, and what are some ways He might speak to us today? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 6Provides the background of Gideon's calling and his initial doubts, setting the stage for the events in Judges 7. Exodus 14The account of the Israelites at the Red Sea, where God reassures Moses and the people of His deliverance, similar to how He reassures Gideon. Philippians 4Discusses the peace of God that surpasses understanding, which can be related to the peace Gideon receives after hearing the Midianite's dream. People Abel, Amalek, Amalekites, Asher, Gideon, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Joash, Manasseh, Midianites, Naphtali, Oreb, Phurah, ZeebPlaces Abel-meholah, Beth-barah, Beth-shittah, Harod, Jordan River, Midian, Mount Gilead, Ophrah, Tabbath, ZererahTopics Afterward, Afterwards, Armed, Army, Attack, Camp, Encouraged, Extremity, Fifties, Hands, Hast, Hearing, Host, Line, Outer, Outermost, Outposts, Outside, Phurah, Purah, Saying, Servant, Speak, Strength, Strengthened, TentsDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 7:11 8416 encouragement, promises Judges 7:8-11 5244 camp Judges 7:8-12 4290 valleys Judges 7:9-11 5608 warfare, strategies Judges 7:10-11 5819 cowardice Library A Great victory
TEXT: "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp, and all the host ran, and cried, and fled."--Judges 7:21. Few things in this world are so inspiring to the traveler and at the same time so depressing as a city or temple in ruins. I remember a delightful experience in passing through the ruins of Karnak and Luxor, on the Nile in Egypt, and later passing through Phylae at Assuan on the Nile; and these two thoughts, each the opposite of the other, kept constantly coming to my mind. …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotAugust 18. "The Three Hundred Blew the Trumpets" (Judges vii. 22).
"The three hundred blew the trumpets" (Judges vii. 22). We little dream, sometimes, what a hasty word, a thoughtless speech, an imprudent act, or a confession of unbelief and fear may do to hinder our highest usefulness, or turn it aside from some great opportunity which God has been preparing for us. Although the Holy Ghost uses weak men, He does not want them to be weak after He chooses and calls them. Although He uses the foolish things to confound the wise, He does not want us to be foolish after …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth 'Fit, Though Few'
'Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were 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 Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are 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 …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture A Battle Without a Sword
'And when Gideon was come, behold, there was 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 is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. 15, And it was so, when Gideon heard the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation
1801-1832 The Bible Carey's missionary weapon--Other vernacular translators--Carey's modest but just description of his labours--His philological key--Type-cutting and type-casting by a Hindoo blacksmith--The first manufacture of paper and steam-engines in the East--Carey takes stock of the translation work at the opening of 1808--In his workshop--A seminary of Bible translators--William Yates, shoemaker, the Coverdale of the Bengali Bible--Wenger--A Bengali Luther wanted--Carey's Bengali Bible--How …
George Smith—The Life of William Carey The New Convert.
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns Whether Divination by Auguries, Omens, and by Like Observations of External Things is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by auguries, omens, and by like observations of external things is not unlawful. If it were unlawful holy men would not make use thereof. Now we read of Joseph that he paid attention to auguries, for it is related (Gn. 44:5) that Joseph's steward said: "The cup which you have stolen is that in which my lord drinketh and in which he is wont to divine [augurari]": and he himself afterwards said to his brethren (Gn. 44:15): "Know you not that there is no one …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Fear is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that fear is not a mortal sin. For, as stated above ([3323]FS, Q[23], A[1]), fear is in the irascible faculty which is a part of the sensuality. Now there is none but venial sin in the sensuality, as stated above ([3324]FS, Q[74], A[4]). Therefore fear is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, every mortal sin turns the heart wholly from God. But fear does not this, for a gloss on Judges 7:3, "Whosoever is fearful," etc., says that "a man is fearful when he trembles at the …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Immanuel
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name IMMANUEL , God with us. T here is a signature of wisdom and power impressed upon the works of God, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men. Not only the splendour of the sun, but the glimmering light of the glow-worm proclaims His glory. The structure and growth of a blade of grass, are the effects of the same power which produced the fabric of the heavens and the earth. In His Word likewise He is …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 7:11 NIVJudges 7:11 NLTJudges 7:11 ESVJudges 7:11 NASBJudges 7:11 KJV
Judges 7:11 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
