Too Many To Win ………Too Few To Loose

Judges 7:1-22

God’s ways are so very different from man’s ways. Mans figures are 1+1+1 = 3

God’s figures are 1+1+1 = 1. Man figures the army that is the biggest will be the winner but the army who God fights for will win every time, regardless of size.

We tend to look at numbers (any pastor or church without a desire to see God’s work grow and prosper is not worth their salt) but I would rather be smaller and spiritual than bigger and barren.

Notice:

I. The Plan (vs.2)

God called Gideon to defeat an enemy of Israel (Judg. 6:36-40). The enemy had 135,000 soldiers (Judg. 8:10). God’s plan was to defeat the enemy in a way Israel would know He won the battle Judges 7:2 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.

II. The Process. (vs.3-7)

A. The reduction = God tells Gideon he has too many men. Note the two-step reduction

1. All the men who were afraid were told to go home. Twenty-two thousand left; ten thousand stayed. Fear is an attitude that spreads, in time many more would have been affected.

2. The men who lapped water like a dog were told to go home. Those who lapped had to put their head down to drink they could not see what was happening around them. Many have their heads down today on things like the niv, and the worldliness that has crept into our churches. Only 300 men drank water from their hands their heads were up they were aware of their surroundings.

B. The readiness (vv. 7-9) Only 300 men were chosen to fight 135,000 soldiers.

III. The Promise (vs. 13-15)

A. The inspiration (v. 13). God speaks today by his Spirit. See John 16:7-13. He also speaks through his Word and his servants.

B. The interpretation (v. 14). The interpretation of the dream meant victory.

C. The influence (v. 15). Gideon worshiped the Lord and had faith. To please God, one must have faith (Heb. 11:6). Faith destroys doubt - doubt destroys faith!

IV. The Preparation (vv. 16)

A. Weapons (v. 16).These are not what we would choose to fight a battle with.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

1. Trumpets. Our voices should be heard as we lift it up in praise and as we share Christ with a lost world.

Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2. Lamps. We are to let our light shine.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

3. Empty pitchers. Picture of emptying of self Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

V. The Positioning

Judges 7:21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

"Every man in his place." We must be in the place God wants us to be. “There” is the place of blessing. 1 Kings 17:4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. Elijah would not have been any place else. When every Christian is in his or her place, God's work goes forward.

VI. The Pursuit

Judges 7:23 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.

God performed this miracle because Gideon was willing to trust him. An army of 300 defeats 135,000! God gave Israel a great victory that day. Were never to little to be used of God.

1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

It is wonderful to know that we can all be used of God.

Pastor Bobby Helton, Morristown, TN