How 301 Chickens Defeated A Great Army

  This Time, We’re going to look at how 301 chickens defeated a great army.

A hospital administrator was startled to see a patient fleeing down the hall out of the operating room, his loose hospital gown flapping in the breeze behind him. He stopped the patient and asked, “Do you mind tlling me why you ran away from the operating room?” The patient looked at him with startled eyes and said, “It was because of what the nurse said!” The administrator asked, “Oh, what did she say?” “She said be brave! An appendectomy is quite simple.” The administrator said,” Well, so what? It is quite simple. I would think that would comfort you.” The patient said, “she wasn’t talking to me; she was talking to the doctor!”

Our story is found in Judges 6&7

Judges 6 gives us the background

Jdg 6:1-6

(1)  The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.
(2)  And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.
(3)  For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them.
(4)  They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey.
(5)  For they would come up with their livestock and their tents; they would come like locusts in number—both they and their camels could not be counted—so that they laid waste the land as they came in.
(6)  And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the LORD.                                                                                                                                             ESV

Judges 7 gives us the details

The Midianites - The descendants of Midian, son of Abraham and Keturah, were called Midianites. Abraham had six sons by Keturah—Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Ishbak, Shuah, and Midian. Midian, himself had five sons—Ephah, Epher, Henoch, Abida, and Eldaah (cf. Gen_25:2; Gen_25:4; 1Ch_1:32 ff.). When Abraham made provisions for his heirs, he gave gifts to Midian and sent him along with Ishmael to the east country, away from Isaac (Gen_25:6).

It was the Midianites who appeared as merchantmen traveling from Gilead to Egypt and bought Joseph from his wicked brothers (Gen_37:25 ff.).

When Moses fled from Egypt, he found refuge with Jethro, a Midianite leader; and a Midianite served as a guide before the traveling thousands of Israel through the wilderness wandering (Exo_2:15; Exo_2:21; also Jdg_4:19, and Num_10:29 ff.).

The Midianites joined the Moabites in asking Balaam for a curse, and Israel punished them (Num_22:4-7; Num_25:15; Num_25:17; Num_31:2 ff.).

The “Land of Midian” included territory on the west as well as on the east of the Gulf of ‘Akaba. Generally speaking, it lay between Edom and Paran (1Ki_11:18); but in the days of the judges their district seems to have extended northward to the land of Gilead which lay east of the territory settled by the tribes of Israel. 

The scripture compares the marauders to the swarms of locust

They scoured everything

The oppression was so severe that it caused the Israelites to hide in the mountains and caves

The Israelites were beaten down and in despair

So this brings us to where we are introduced to our hero – Gideon 6:11-12

(11)  The Messenger of the LORD came and sat under the oak tree in Ophrah that belonged to Joash from Abiezer's family. Joash's son Gideon was beating out wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
(12)  The Messenger of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, "The LORD is with you, brave man."   GW

Notice the attitudes and the positions of both the angel and Gideon

Have you ever thought of angels having a sense of humor?

Well, in this case, it is the pre-incarnate manifestation of “The Word” – Jesus, and we know He had a sense of humor

"Mighty man of valor?"

This is me – Gideon – hiding in a winepress 

“You’ve got the wrong guy”

He takes issue with the statement “The Lord is with thee”, not knowing who he’s talking to

He replies – IF (one of his favorite words v13,17,36)

Jdg 6:13  Gideon responded, "Excuse me, sir! But if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracles our ancestors have told us about? Didn't they say, 'The LORD brought us out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and has handed us over to Midian."     GW 
Jdg 6:17 Gideon said to him, "If you find me acceptable, give me a sign that it is really you speaking to me.  GW
Jdg 6:36-37
(36)  Then Gideon said to God, "You said that you would rescue Israel through me.
(37)  I'll place some wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the wool while all the ground is dry, then I'll know that you will rescue Israel through me, as you said."  GW

Jewish faith taught that God lived among His people – but Gideon and everyone else was letting circumstance define their faith

Circumstances constantly change – No one knew 2020 was going to be like this

When you look at your faith through your circumstances you may find your faith begins to shift.

We must see our circumstances in the light of our faith – not the other way.

Look at v14 – who says the Lord doesn’t have a sense of humor?

Jdg 6:14-15
(14)  Then the LORD ordered him, "Go with all your great strength and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I myself am sending you."
(15)  Gideon replied, "But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least important member of my family."  GNB

This thy might – was that the stick in his hand?

Was there a cache of weapons in the winepress?

Look at things from Gideon’s point of view v15

The family was poor (feeble)

Just as an aside, the actual word for family is 1000 – tribes were divided up into 1000’s – 100’s – 50’s and 10’s for administrative purposes. Over time this diminished, so this 1000 of Manasseh at Joshua’s time had become enfeebled.

So there wouldn’t be much clout.

Then his tribe was only ½ tribe – at least on the “right side” of Jordan.

I am least – this would either be age or self-perception

Sometimes our perceptions of ourselves and our abilities are part of our bad circumstances\All in All, Gideon was telling God – you’ve got the wrong guy.

Notice the emphasis in v15

How can “I”

Moses asks in Ex 3:11 “Who am I”

Jeremiah says in 1:6 “I cannot speak”

They are all correct – in their own strength and ability

But God has the answer Ex 3:12, Jeremiah 1:7-8, Judges 6:16, Matt 28:30, Heb 13:5-6, Rom 8:31

Exo 3:12 God answered, "I will be with you. And this will be the proof that I sent you: When you bring the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain."  GW 

Jer 1:7-8
(7)  But the LORD said to me, "Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say.
(8)  Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"   GNB

 Mat 28:20  Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. "And remember that I am always with you until the end of time."    GW

 Heb 13:5-6
(5)  Don't love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, "I will never abandon you or leave you."(6)  So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can mortals do to me?"  GW

Rom 8:5  Those who live by the corrupt nature have the corrupt nature's attitude. But those who live by the spiritual nature have the spiritual nature's attitude.  GW

No matter the circumstances – when God says I am with you and I am for you – who cares who or what is against you

We could deal with the fleeces and all of that – but that’s a study for another time

So jump to 6:33 – this was their yearly custom – a marauder’s convention so to speak

Jdg 6:33 Then all the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the desert tribes assembled, crossed the Jordan River, and camped in Jezreel Valley.   GW

So Gideon (empowered by the Holy Spirit) mobilizes his men

Look how far his call reaches 6:34-35

Jdg 6:34-35
(34)  The spirit of the LORD took control of Gideon, and he blew a trumpet to call the men of the clan of Abiezer to follow him.
(35)  He sent messengers throughout the territory of both parts of Manasseh to call them to follow him. He sent messengers to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they also came to join him.  GNB

It’s during this time he puts out the fleeces – so it’s not like he’s conquered his battle with fear

But he is obedient – and God can use even obedient chickens

So, 32,000 showed up 

So the Lord said, “Nope” – with an army that size, there would be more than a good possibility they would claim the credit for the victory

The circumstances were going to be such that there was no doubt who had brought deliverance

Now the Lord’s technique for culling the herd is interesting.

It had two stages:

The first one was pretty straight forward: ask whoever was afraid to go home.

Now – these are guys – with a bunch of other guys.

You’ve heard the term “toxic masculinity”

There really is such a thing – just not what most of the liberals use as a definition

It shows up a number of ways – this is the situation where the “Hey, watch this” syndrome happens.

It’s also where  “I can’t be afraid in front of my buddies syndrome happens

But this time – 22,000 went home – yup 22,000

So now, Gideon is left with 10,000 

v12 says the enemy was ….

Jdg 7:12  The Midianites, the Amalekites, and the desert tribesmen were spread out in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and they had as many camels as there are grains of sand on the seashore.  GNB

But God wanted the group smaller and had one more test.

There are two interpretations to the water test v4

1. Many commentators assume that those who lapped were those who drank water while crouching or standing, lapping it from their cupped hands and readily watching for the enemy.

2. However, ancient Jewish interpretation prefers to see this passage in the opposite view. The men selected by Gideon who lapped water out of their hands and was fearfully looking around

were, in reality – the most fearful of all!!

When the opportunity was given, they were too afraid to go home

Now, God promised “by the three hundred men that lapped will I save you.” v7

Jdg 7:1-6
(1)  Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
(2)  The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’
(3)  Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.
(4)  And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.”
(5)  So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.”
(6)  And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.  ESV

Again, who says that God doesn’t have a sense of humor

Gideon must have looked at his army and thought, “I’ve got 300 chickens and we’re going to defeat the Midianites.”

The army was divided into three companies of one hundred each, and they were to carry trumpets and empty pitchers containing torches.

They were to conceal the torches within the pitchers until the last possible minute, when they would break the pitchers, wave the torches, and blow the trumpets

Why this?

Several factors regarding ancient Near Eastern warfare should be noted when interpreting this incident.

As a normal custom in those days, armies rarely fought at night.

Too much opportunity for confusion.

When an army did engage in battle at night, only a minority of men carried torches in order to light up the battlefield.

In addition, only a certain number of men would carry and blow trumpets during the conflict.

Therefore, when the Midianites awoke to the sight of three hundred torches and the sound of three hundred trumpets blaring at them from every conceivable direction, they could only assume that thousands upon thousands were attacking them.

The sound of the trumpets would signal the call to battle, and the breaking of the pitchers would simulate the clash of arms.

The awaking Midianites assumed that the battle had already begun and that they were outnumbered. The battle cry, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon,” would strike fear in the minds of the confused Midianites and their allies.

Since the invaders were a combination of at least three language dialects, they began to attack one another in the confusion of the night.

While it cannot be denied that Gideon became a man of great faith who led the people to victory, it should also be noted that the idea of fear runs like a red thread throughout the story of Gideon’s life.

Yet we find Gideon’s name in Hebrews 11:32, 34).

Gideon was a FEARFUL MAN in charge of a FEARFUL ARMY, yet God brought about a FEARSOME VICTORY.

The really dangerous enemy was within the heart of Gideon.

It was FEAR.

When God called Gideon, he was HIDING.

When God spoke to him, he RAISED PROBLEMS instead of TRUSTING PROMISES.

When Gideon did start to obey God, he WORKED AT NIGHT and had to have REPEATED ASSURANCE that the Lord was with him.

But God saw the POTENTIAL in Gideon and even called him a “MIGHTY MAN OF VALOUR.”

The Spirit of the Lord was able to turn a CHICKEN into a CONQUEROR!

Guess what?!

No matter the circumstances, God sees the potential in YOU