Judges 7:17 Study Bible: He said to them, "Look at me, and do likewise. And look, when I come to the outermost part of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so you shall do.

◄ Judges 7:17 ►

"Watch me and do as I do," Gideon said. "When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do.

Watch me and do as I do
Gideon, chosen by God to lead Israel against the Midianites, emphasizes the importance of imitation and obedience. This reflects the biblical principle of leadership by example, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:1 where Paul urges believers to imitate him as he imitates Christ. Gideon's directive underscores the necessity of unity and trust in leadership, crucial for the success of their mission.

Gideon said
Gideon, whose name means "hewer" or "one who cuts down," is a judge of Israel during a time of oppression by the Midianites. His leadership is marked by divine selection and empowerment, as seen in Judges 6:12-16. His role as a judge is both military and spiritual, serving as a deliverer and a restorer of faith in God.

When I come to the outskirts of the camp
The strategic approach to the Midianite camp highlights the element of surprise and the psychological warfare employed by Gideon. The outskirts of the camp represent the boundary between safety and vulnerability. This tactic is reminiscent of other biblical battles where God uses unconventional means to secure victory, such as the fall of Jericho in Joshua 6.

do exactly as I do
This command reinforces the need for precise obedience and coordination among Gideon's men. It reflects the biblical theme of following God's appointed leader, as seen in Hebrews 13:17, which speaks to the importance of submitting to those who lead in accordance with God's will. The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament call to follow Christ's example, as in 1 Peter 2:21.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Gideon
The central figure in this passage, Gideon is a 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, yet he becomes a mighty warrior through faith and obedience.

2. The 300 Men
These are the select group of warriors chosen by God to accompany Gideon in the battle against the Midianites. Their small number highlights God's power in delivering victory through seemingly impossible odds.

3. The Midianite Camp
The location where the Midianites and their allies are encamped, representing the oppressive force against Israel. The camp is the target of Gideon's strategic attack.

4. The Trumpets and Torches
Instruments used by Gideon and his men to create confusion and fear in the Midianite camp, symbolizing unconventional warfare tactics directed by divine wisdom.

5. The Edge of the Camp
The strategic position where Gideon instructs his men to follow his lead, emphasizing the importance of unity and obedience in executing God's plan.

Teaching Points

Leadership by Example
Gideon's instruction to "watch me" and "follow my lead" underscores the importance of leading by example. As Christians, we are called to model Christ-like behavior for others to follow.

Obedience to God's Plan
The success of Gideon's mission depended on strict adherence to God's unconventional strategy. This teaches us the importance of trusting and obeying God's guidance, even when it defies human logic.

Faith Over Fear
Gideon's transformation from a hesitant leader to a bold warrior demonstrates the power of faith in overcoming fear. We are encouraged to trust in God's promises and step out in faith.

Unity in Purpose
The unity of Gideon's 300 men in following his lead highlights the strength found in collective obedience and purpose. As the body of Christ, we are called to work together in unity for God's kingdom.

God's Strength in Our Weakness
The victory over the Midianites with a small army illustrates how God can use our weaknesses to display His strength and glory. We should rely on His power rather than our own abilities.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Gideon's leadership style in Judges 7:17 inspire you to lead by example in your own life?

2. In what ways can you apply the principle of obedience to God's plan, even when it seems unconventional or challenging?

3. Reflect on a time when you had to choose faith over fear. How did that experience strengthen your relationship with God?

4. How can you contribute to unity and purpose within your church or community, following the example of Gideon's 300 men?

5. Consider a situation where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you rely on God's strength to overcome this challenge, as demonstrated in Gideon's victory?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Joshua 1:9
This verse encourages strength and courage, similar to the courage Gideon musters to lead his men against the Midianites.

1 Samuel 14:6-7
Jonathan's faith in God's ability to save "by many or by few" parallels Gideon's reliance on God despite the small number of his troops.

2 Corinthians 12:9
Paul's teaching on God's power being made perfect in weakness reflects the theme of God using Gideon's small army to achieve victory.

Sermons

Inspired Tactics	A.F. Muir	Judges 7:15-22
A Good General	W. Burrows, B. A.	Judges 7:15-25
A Meagre Equipment		Judges 7:15-25
Blowing the Trumpets	N. Y. Evangelist	Judges 7:15-25
Divine Providence Overruling the Result	J. P. Millar.	Judges 7:15-25
Gideon's Gallant Three Hundred	D. Davies.	Judges 7:15-25
Gideon's Victory	G. A. Rogers, M. A.	Judges 7:15-25
Gideon's Watchword	H. E. J. Bevan, M. A.	Judges 7:15-25
Lamps	John Mitchell.	Judges 7:15-25
Our Life	Dean Goulburn.	Judges 7:15-25
The Battle of the Pitchers	T. De Witt Talmage.	Judges 7:15-25
The Finite-Infinite	F. Ferguson, D. D.	Judges 7:15-25
The Natural and Supernatural	D. Lewis.	Judges 7:15-25
The Sword of the Lord, and of Gideon	C. Leach, D. D.	Judges 7:15-25
Gideon's Ruse	W.F. Adeney	Judges 7:16-18

People

Abel, Amalek, Amalekites, Asher, Gideon, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Joash, Manasseh, Midianites, Naphtali, Oreb, Phurah, Zeeb

Places

Abel-meholah, Beth-barah, Beth-shittah, Harod, Jordan River, Midian, Mount Gilead, Ophrah, Tabbath, Zererah

Topics

Behold, Camp, Edge, Exactly, Extremity, Follow, Lead, Likewise, Line, Outer, Outermost, Outside, Outskirts, Tents, Thus, Watch, Whatever

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Judges 7:17

8130 guidance, from godly people

Judges 7:15-22

5597 victory, act of God

Judges 7:16-21

5608 warfare, strategies

Judges 7:16-22

5595 trumpet

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 Iscariot

August 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

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