“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.”

Judges 7:2

It was Israel’s pride that kept them from being used of the LORD. For if the LORD had used such a great number of them, then Israel would have boasted in themselves of such a great victory against the Midianites and would have not given the LORD the glory. How often does the pride of our hearts deceive us and God cannot use us? (Lord, forgive us)  We must watch and guard our hearts and be quick to humble ourselves and confess the loftiness and sin in our hearts. (“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lam. 3:22)

 We find next; three groups, of which only one of these groups was used of the LORD to fight His battle. This first group is called the “Fearful and Afraid.” (“Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.” Judges 7:2) This group was the largest that went back. Many even today are among this group because of fear of the unknown, or fear of the battle, or fear of man, or of the fear that causes faithlessness, a weak mind and heart, etc. These will refrain or run away in the face of adversity or trouble. Instead of taking hold of the Word and of faith in the mighty God that gives us the victory. This fear damns many to a void and worthless life ending in God’s righteous judgment. (“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8) Repent, take faith, believe, call upon the Lord confessing. Be as such as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who took faith and courage in defying the king Nebuchadnezzar. (“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:16-18) Glory! Amen!God delivered them out of the hand of king Nebuchadnezzar, out of the fiery furnace, and blessed them because they believed in the LORD their God.

 Now, for the second group that God refused to use to fight the Midianites. These are called the “Self-Courageous and Proud.” There remained ten thousand. God instructed Gideon to bring them to the water to have them drink in order to find those God could really use. (“So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.” Judges 7:5) The number of them that bowed down upon their knees to drink were 9,700. (“And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.” Judges 7:6) These are they that are self-absorbed. No time for God, no time for church, got my career, got my family, got self to mind, being confident, froward, and arrogant. (“For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” Phil. 2:21) Repent, seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near. Flee the wrath to come.  

 The final and third group, Gideon’s three hundred mighty men. Known has the “Wise and the Few.” By these and their number, God was able to fight His battle and save the children of Israel. (“And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.” Judges 7:7) These drank by lapping the water out of their hand. These are they who drank, yet watching, on guard, circumspect, and few. These are today who take ahold of the Word by faith, believing going forth to conquer in truth and faithfulness. These are they whom believe the Word of the Lord and obey it. (“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28)

 My friend, seek the Lord, pray, seek out a Bible (KJV) believing, sin hating (Divorce & Remarriage; Adultery; etc.) church. Look to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ for the remission of thy sins. Amen.