"THERE ARE TOO MANY" -- Monday:
When religion (as compared with true faith) flourishes, especially strong temptations are leveled at us concerning numbers. Satan tempts us to believe that great churches are only big churches, and that prosperous causes are those involving only great numbers of people. To be sure, God does not confine Himself to small numbers. Neither, indeed, has He chosen to work extensively only through large ones. Our text is a case in point.
The times were difficult for Israel. They were being oppressed by the Midianites, and no prospect of improvement was apparent. Finding Gideon, who had maintained his faith during all of these difficulties, God informed him He was going to deliver the Israelites by his hand. "Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?" (6:14).
In preparation for his main work, God first directed Gideon to throw down the altar of Baal, building an altar to God in its place, and offering a sacrifice to Him. Gideon did as He was commanded.
Following this "the spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him." Messengers were sent throughout the land, and people began to gather to Gideon. Finally, thousands were assembled, ready to fight the Midianites under Gideon's leadership. There were 32,000 people ready to do battle. It was then that the words of our text were spoken. "The people that are with thee are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands." The reason–they would think they had wrought the victory themselves. Too many people!
God directed Gideon to tell all who were "fearful and afraid" to return to their homes. As a result, 22,000 returned home, leaving only 10,000. Surely that would be a sufficient reduction! When 69% of the people leave, that surely will remove any danger of thinking they had wrought the victory themselves. But that is not at all the case. God replied, "The people are still too many." The number had to be reduced again.
Another test was given to the people. God told Gideon to "bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there" (7:4). The men would be chosen on the basis of how they drank water! The drinkers were separated into two different groups: "Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink." (7:5). The men drank, and the separation was made.
Everyone who got down on their knees to drink was sent away. Only those who "who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth" were kept–300 men. Of them God said, "By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place" (7:7). The men who lapped water from their hands were alert, lest they be caught unawares by the enemy. The men who drank water on their knees were so intent on drinking they were oblivious to possible danger.
When these 300 men confronted the Midianites, their weaponry was most unique. They each had a trumpet, and an empty pitcher with a torch in it. When they had circled the Midianite camp, they blew their trumpets, broke the pitchers, and took hold of the torches. Then, with the torches in their left hand and their trumpets in the right hand, they shouted in unison, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!" The result–"the whole army ran and cried out and fled," and "the LORD set every man's sword against his companion throughout the whole camp" (7:19-22). Thus began the Israelite's triumph.
This sort of mentality clashes sharply with the religious strategies conceived by men. It does require faith in God, and it does result in praise to God. There is no question about the cause of such a victory!
Be encouraged to involve yourself in efforts that require the Lord's strength and bring no glory to men. If we seek the glory of God, He will bless what we are doing!
PRAYER POINT: Father, I know you are able to save with many or with few. In the name of Jesus, direct my path into a productive fellowship with those You can use for Your glory.