◄ Judges 7:9 ►
That night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up and go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.
Study Bible
That night
This phrase indicates the specific timing of God's communication with Gideon. It was a time of vulnerability and uncertainty, as night often symbolizes in Scripture. The timing underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to work in unexpected ways. Nighttime encounters with God are seen elsewhere, such as with Jacob in Genesis 32:22-32.

the LORD said to Gideon
The direct communication from the LORD highlights the personal relationship between God and Gideon. This divine interaction is consistent with God's pattern of calling and guiding leaders in Israel, as seen with Moses in Exodus 3 and Joshua in Joshua 1. It emphasizes God's initiative in delivering His people.

Get up and go down against the camp
This command is a call to action, requiring faith and obedience from Gideon. The phrase "go down" suggests a descent, possibly indicating the geographical setting where the Midianite camp was located in a valley. This mirrors other biblical narratives where God calls His servants to confront challenges directly, such as David against Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

for I have delivered it into your hand
This assurance of victory is a common theme in the Old Testament, where God promises deliverance before the battle is fought. It reflects God's omnipotence and faithfulness to His covenant people. The phrase "into your hand" signifies complete control and victory, similar to God's promises to Joshua in Joshua 6:2. This prefigures the ultimate victory found in Jesus Christ, who delivers believers from sin and death.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Gideon
A judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who speaks directly to Gideon, providing guidance and assurance of victory.

3. Midianite Camp
The encampment of the Midianites, who were oppressing Israel. God promises Gideon victory over this formidable enemy.

4. Israelites
The people of God, suffering under Midianite oppression, whom Gideon is called to deliver.

5. The Night
The specific time when God speaks to Gideon, emphasizing the immediacy and urgency of God's command.
Teaching Points
Divine Assurance
God provides assurance to His chosen leaders, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Believers can trust in God's promises and His timing.

Immediate Obedience
When God commands, the response should be immediate action. Delayed obedience can hinder God's plans for victory in our lives.

God's Sovereignty
The phrase "I have delivered it into your hand" underscores God's control over circumstances. Believers can find peace in knowing that God is sovereign over their battles.

Faith in Action
Gideon's account encourages believers to act on their faith, even when they feel inadequate or fearful. God equips those He calls.

God's Presence in Uncertainty
Just as God spoke to Gideon at night, He is present in our darkest moments, providing guidance and reassurance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Gideon's initial hesitance reflect our own struggles with faith, and how can we overcome these doubts with God's help?

2. In what ways does God's assurance to Gideon encourage us to trust in His promises, even when the outcome seems uncertain?

3. How can we apply the principle of immediate obedience in our daily walk with God, and what are some practical steps to achieve this?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's sovereignty in a challenging situation. How did this impact your faith journey?

5. How can the account of Gideon inspire us to take bold steps of faith, and what other biblical figures demonstrate similar faith in action?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 3
Just as God called Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, He calls Gideon to deliver them from Midian, showing God's consistent pattern of raising leaders for deliverance.

Joshua 1
God's command to Joshua to be strong and courageous parallels His assurance to Gideon, highlighting the theme of divine empowerment for leadership.

Hebrews 11
Gideon is listed among the heroes of faith, demonstrating that his actions, though initially hesitant, were ultimately rooted in trust in God's promises.
Sermons
Encouragement for GideonMarcus Dods, D. D.Judges 7:9-14
The Dream of the Barley CakeSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJudges 7:9-14
The Insecurity of the GodlessR. A. Watson, M. A.Judges 7:9-14
The Midianite Soldier: the Power of the LittleHomilistJudges 7:9-14
The Soldier's DreamT. R. Stevenson.Judges 7:9-14
The Crowning SignA.F. Muir Judges 7:9-15
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
Arise, Army, Camp, Delivered, Gideon, Hands, Host, Pass, Rise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 7:9

     1305   God, activity of

Judges 7:8-11

     5244   camp

Judges 7:8-12

     4290   valleys

Judges 7:9-11

     5608   warfare, strategies
     8220   courage, facing enemies

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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