In the biblical narrative, instances of panic sent by God serve as a demonstration of His sovereignty and power over the nations and their armies. This divine intervention often occurs in the context of battle, where God acts on behalf of His people, Israel, to deliver them from their enemies. The panic induced by God is not merely a natural fear but a supernatural terror that confounds and scatters opposing forces, leading to their defeat.

Biblical Instances:

1. The Exodus and the Red Sea: One of the earliest examples of God-induced panic is found in the account of the Exodus. As the Israelites fled Egypt, Pharaoh's army pursued them to the Red Sea. In Exodus 14:24-25 , it is recorded, "During the last watch of the night, the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty. 'Let us flee from the Israelites,' said the Egyptians, 'for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!'" Here, God directly intervenes, causing confusion and panic among the Egyptians, leading to their ultimate destruction.

2. The Battle of Gibeon: In Joshua 10, as the Israelites fought against the Amorite kings, God sent a panic upon their enemies. Joshua 10:10 states, "And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah." The panic was so severe that it contributed significantly to Israel's victory, demonstrating God's active role in the battle.

3. Gideon's Victory over the Midianites: In Judges 7, God uses Gideon and a small army of 300 men to defeat the Midianites. Judges 7:22 describes the scene: "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of each man against his companion throughout the camp, and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath." The panic and confusion caused by God led the Midianites to turn on each other, securing victory for Israel.

4. Jonathan and the Philistines: In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan and his armor-bearer attack a Philistine outpost, and God sends panic throughout the Philistine camp. 1 Samuel 14:15 records, "Then panic struck the whole Philistine army—the camp and the field, those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God." This divine-induced terror led to a significant victory for Israel.

5. The Siege of Samaria: In 2 Kings 7, during the Aramean siege of Samaria, God causes the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses, leading them to flee in panic. 2 Kings 7:6-7 explains, "For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, 'Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!' So they got up and fled at dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives."

Theological Implications:

The instances of panic sent by God highlight His direct involvement in the affairs of nations and His commitment to fulfilling His promises to His people. These events underscore the belief in God's omnipotence and His ability to control the natural and supernatural realms to achieve His purposes. They also serve as a reminder of the futility of opposing God's will and the protection He offers to those who trust in Him. Through these acts, God not only delivers His people but also reveals His glory and power to the surrounding nations.