Topical Bible: Sword used by Gideon

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The sword used by Gideon is a significant symbol in the biblical narrative of Israel's deliverance from the oppression of the Midianites, as recorded in the Book of Judges. Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, was called by God to lead Israel against their enemies, despite his initial hesitations and feelings of inadequacy (Judges 6:11-16).

Divine Commission and Assurance

Gideon's account begins with his divine commission, where the Angel of the LORD appears to him, calling him a "mighty warrior" and assuring him of God's presence (Judges 6:12). Despite his doubts, Gideon seeks confirmation through signs, including the famous fleece test (Judges 6:36-40). Once assured, Gideon gathers an army, but God reduces it to 300 men to demonstrate that the victory would be by divine intervention rather than human strength (Judges 7:2-7).

The Battle Strategy

The sword itself is not the primary weapon in the battle against the Midianites. Instead, Gideon's strategy involves unconventional warfare tactics. Armed with trumpets, empty jars, and torches, Gideon's men surround the Midianite camp. At Gideon's signal, they blow the trumpets, break the jars, and shout, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" (Judges 7:20). This cry, invoking the sword, symbolizes divine power and authority, instilling fear and confusion among the Midianites, leading them to turn on each other.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The "sword of the LORD and of Gideon" represents more than a physical weapon; it embodies the power of God working through human agency. It signifies the divine empowerment of Gideon and his men, highlighting the theme that victory comes not by might or power, but by the Spirit of the LORD (cf. Zechariah 4:6). The sword symbolizes God's judgment against the oppressors and His deliverance of Israel.

Gideon's Leadership and Legacy

Gideon's leadership, marked by faith and obedience, sets a precedent for reliance on God's strength rather than human resources. His victory over the Midianites brings peace to Israel for forty years (Judges 8:28). However, Gideon's later actions, including the creation of an ephod that becomes a snare to Israel, remind readers of the complexities of human leadership and the need for continual faithfulness to God (Judges 8:24-27).

In summary, the sword used by Gideon, though not a literal weapon in the battle, serves as a powerful symbol of God's deliverance and the faith required to trust in His plans. The narrative encourages believers to rely on divine strength and guidance in the face of overwhelming odds.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 7:20
And the three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow with: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Battle Without a Sword
... the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his ... the general's; but the
noun may be used as a ... the dread in the Midianite ranks of Gideon's prowess. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a battle without a sword.htm

Power "In" and "Upon. "
... the Scriptures of the sword of the Lord and Gideon. Suppose Gideon had gone out
without the Word, he would have been defeated. But the Lord used Gideon; and I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter ii power in and.htm

A Great victory
... It is said that years ago there used to be a ... world has been accomplished by men like
Gideon, who delayed ... their hands upon"and cried out, "The sword of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a great victory.htm

Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known
... But we are not to be idle; instrumentality is to be used""The sword of the Lord
and of Gideon!" Mark you, if we only cry, "The sword of the Lord!" we shall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/christ is gloriouslet us make.htm

Faith and Courage.
... It was "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon." If we ... a man stand before him with a
drawn sword in his ... thought: I never knew a case where God used a discouraged ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... through faith subdued kingdoms."[300] Gideon dispersed the ... escaped the edge of Ahab's
sword.[309] Elisha's ... would almost certainly have been used to express ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

Use what You Have.
... his feet, and feeling the edge of his own sword. ... some scars that stay before they
can be mightily used. ... Gideon's pitchers had to be broken before the lights ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/use what you have.htm

Success.
... gladdening revivals, who have ceased to wield "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon,"
and, in ... obeyed Christ and tarried at Jerusalem that God used the early ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter x success.htm

The victory of Unarmed Faith
... off us, and make us, like Gideon's fleece, impervious ... by encumbering him by the help
of sword and helmet. ... other his sling, both familiar and often used, and by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the victory of unarmed faith.htm

Hebrews xi. 28-31
... By faith," he says, "they subdued kingdoms;" those with Gideon. ... of the sword," and
some "were slain by the sword." ( Ver.34 ... so called in type; for he used to be ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvii hebrews xi 28-31.htm