Judges 15
KingCommentsJudges 15:1
The Command
When the preparations are over, the LORD tells Gideon to go to the camp to attack the enemy. Gideon gets the certainty of victory. God has already given him this certainty in Judges 6 (Judges 6:16). God has also met Gideon’s doubt when he asks for the sign with the fleece (Judges 6:36-40).
When God commands to invade the enemy’s camp, He confirms, to exclude all doubt, His promise to give the enemy into Gideon’s power. Gideon has to deal with a defeated enemy. All he has to do is to appropriate the victory.
Something similar has been said to Joshua (Joshua 1:1-9). God has given the Israelites the whole land. They only had to take possession of it. There too He says He would be with them.
Judges 15:2
A Dream to Encourage
God knows the heart of His servant. Despite all the encouragements and promises, there is still a glitch in Gideon’s heart. There is still a residue of doubt. And see how God meets this too. What a God full of patience He is!
The way in which He strengthens Gideon’s hands requires courage. Together with his servant Purah, Gideon must enter the enemy’s army to hear something that will encourage him. How wonderful is the way of God to encourage Gideon. Gideon must actually go to the enemy to hear something there, while God Himself has so often pointed out to him the power that is present in Him.
What God still wants to teach him is that the enemy is more impressed by this power than he is. The enemy already sees himself as defeated, although he never gives in and must actually be defeated. Gideon hears it from the mouth of his enemies: “God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand” (Judges 7:14).
The spies who in Joshua 2 went to spy out the land and came to Rahab the harlot have heard the same. Rahab says to them “that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you” (Joshua 2:9). They have heard what great deeds the LORD has done for his people (Joshua 2:10-11). Despite this knowledge, Jericho did not surrender either, but had to be conquered.
Gideon takes his servant Purah with him on the command of God. The name Purah means ‘wine press’ or ‘growth’. If God calls this servant of Gideon by name, it may be to remind Gideon of His appearance to him when he was beating out wheat in the wine press (Judges 6:11). Remembering our previous encounters with the Lord and what He has said to us on those occasions often gives us courage to continue. Such memories also indicate that there is spiritual growth through the relationship with Him.
Gideon accepts God’s offer. He goes and hears one of the Midianites tell a dream. He even hears the dream interpreted by another Midianite. We do not know how the man knows the meaning of the dream. We may assume that God has shown him that the meaning. If God can control things in such a way that Gideon comes to that tent at the right time to witness this conversation, He is also able to let that man say things that are important to Gideon.
What Gideon hears reminds him how weak he is in himself. He is presented in the dream as a barley bread. But the explanation shows that God makes a sword of it to defeat the enemies. Barley bread is the bread of the poor. God often works through poverty and weakness.
The sword that brings victory here is food. When God’s people are fed with Christ, they have a sword in their hands that beats the enemy. God can use our weakest appreciation for Christ to defeat the enemy. As it were, Paul rolls a barley bread into the camp, the church, in Corinth when he says: “Paul was not crucified for you, was he?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). He just wants to say that he and others do not want to function as party leader. He does not participate in party formation and division. He is but a servant. It is about Christ. He humbles himself.
Opposite he places the cross of Christ. What remains of man’s pride and own wisdom when he looks at the cross? Paul ‘carries’ the cross of Christ into the church in Corinth, thus overthrowing the ‘tent’ of battle, mistrust and division. The effect of every simple truth about Christ served in love is that the ‘tent’ of anger, quarrel and strife is thrown to the ground.
Judges 15:3
A Dream to Encourage
God knows the heart of His servant. Despite all the encouragements and promises, there is still a glitch in Gideon’s heart. There is still a residue of doubt. And see how God meets this too. What a God full of patience He is!
The way in which He strengthens Gideon’s hands requires courage. Together with his servant Purah, Gideon must enter the enemy’s army to hear something that will encourage him. How wonderful is the way of God to encourage Gideon. Gideon must actually go to the enemy to hear something there, while God Himself has so often pointed out to him the power that is present in Him.
What God still wants to teach him is that the enemy is more impressed by this power than he is. The enemy already sees himself as defeated, although he never gives in and must actually be defeated. Gideon hears it from the mouth of his enemies: “God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand” (Judges 7:14).
The spies who in Joshua 2 went to spy out the land and came to Rahab the harlot have heard the same. Rahab says to them “that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you” (Joshua 2:9). They have heard what great deeds the LORD has done for his people (Joshua 2:10-11). Despite this knowledge, Jericho did not surrender either, but had to be conquered.
Gideon takes his servant Purah with him on the command of God. The name Purah means ‘wine press’ or ‘growth’. If God calls this servant of Gideon by name, it may be to remind Gideon of His appearance to him when he was beating out wheat in the wine press (Judges 6:11). Remembering our previous encounters with the Lord and what He has said to us on those occasions often gives us courage to continue. Such memories also indicate that there is spiritual growth through the relationship with Him.
Gideon accepts God’s offer. He goes and hears one of the Midianites tell a dream. He even hears the dream interpreted by another Midianite. We do not know how the man knows the meaning of the dream. We may assume that God has shown him that the meaning. If God can control things in such a way that Gideon comes to that tent at the right time to witness this conversation, He is also able to let that man say things that are important to Gideon.
What Gideon hears reminds him how weak he is in himself. He is presented in the dream as a barley bread. But the explanation shows that God makes a sword of it to defeat the enemies. Barley bread is the bread of the poor. God often works through poverty and weakness.
The sword that brings victory here is food. When God’s people are fed with Christ, they have a sword in their hands that beats the enemy. God can use our weakest appreciation for Christ to defeat the enemy. As it were, Paul rolls a barley bread into the camp, the church, in Corinth when he says: “Paul was not crucified for you, was he?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). He just wants to say that he and others do not want to function as party leader. He does not participate in party formation and division. He is but a servant. It is about Christ. He humbles himself.
Opposite he places the cross of Christ. What remains of man’s pride and own wisdom when he looks at the cross? Paul ‘carries’ the cross of Christ into the church in Corinth, thus overthrowing the ‘tent’ of battle, mistrust and division. The effect of every simple truth about Christ served in love is that the ‘tent’ of anger, quarrel and strife is thrown to the ground.
Judges 15:4
A Dream to Encourage
God knows the heart of His servant. Despite all the encouragements and promises, there is still a glitch in Gideon’s heart. There is still a residue of doubt. And see how God meets this too. What a God full of patience He is!
The way in which He strengthens Gideon’s hands requires courage. Together with his servant Purah, Gideon must enter the enemy’s army to hear something that will encourage him. How wonderful is the way of God to encourage Gideon. Gideon must actually go to the enemy to hear something there, while God Himself has so often pointed out to him the power that is present in Him.
What God still wants to teach him is that the enemy is more impressed by this power than he is. The enemy already sees himself as defeated, although he never gives in and must actually be defeated. Gideon hears it from the mouth of his enemies: “God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand” (Judges 7:14).
The spies who in Joshua 2 went to spy out the land and came to Rahab the harlot have heard the same. Rahab says to them “that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you” (Joshua 2:9). They have heard what great deeds the LORD has done for his people (Joshua 2:10-11). Despite this knowledge, Jericho did not surrender either, but had to be conquered.
Gideon takes his servant Purah with him on the command of God. The name Purah means ‘wine press’ or ‘growth’. If God calls this servant of Gideon by name, it may be to remind Gideon of His appearance to him when he was beating out wheat in the wine press (Judges 6:11). Remembering our previous encounters with the Lord and what He has said to us on those occasions often gives us courage to continue. Such memories also indicate that there is spiritual growth through the relationship with Him.
Gideon accepts God’s offer. He goes and hears one of the Midianites tell a dream. He even hears the dream interpreted by another Midianite. We do not know how the man knows the meaning of the dream. We may assume that God has shown him that the meaning. If God can control things in such a way that Gideon comes to that tent at the right time to witness this conversation, He is also able to let that man say things that are important to Gideon.
What Gideon hears reminds him how weak he is in himself. He is presented in the dream as a barley bread. But the explanation shows that God makes a sword of it to defeat the enemies. Barley bread is the bread of the poor. God often works through poverty and weakness.
The sword that brings victory here is food. When God’s people are fed with Christ, they have a sword in their hands that beats the enemy. God can use our weakest appreciation for Christ to defeat the enemy. As it were, Paul rolls a barley bread into the camp, the church, in Corinth when he says: “Paul was not crucified for you, was he?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). He just wants to say that he and others do not want to function as party leader. He does not participate in party formation and division. He is but a servant. It is about Christ. He humbles himself.
Opposite he places the cross of Christ. What remains of man’s pride and own wisdom when he looks at the cross? Paul ‘carries’ the cross of Christ into the church in Corinth, thus overthrowing the ‘tent’ of battle, mistrust and division. The effect of every simple truth about Christ served in love is that the ‘tent’ of anger, quarrel and strife is thrown to the ground.
Judges 15:5
A Dream to Encourage
God knows the heart of His servant. Despite all the encouragements and promises, there is still a glitch in Gideon’s heart. There is still a residue of doubt. And see how God meets this too. What a God full of patience He is!
The way in which He strengthens Gideon’s hands requires courage. Together with his servant Purah, Gideon must enter the enemy’s army to hear something that will encourage him. How wonderful is the way of God to encourage Gideon. Gideon must actually go to the enemy to hear something there, while God Himself has so often pointed out to him the power that is present in Him.
What God still wants to teach him is that the enemy is more impressed by this power than he is. The enemy already sees himself as defeated, although he never gives in and must actually be defeated. Gideon hears it from the mouth of his enemies: “God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand” (Judges 7:14).
The spies who in Joshua 2 went to spy out the land and came to Rahab the harlot have heard the same. Rahab says to them “that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you” (Joshua 2:9). They have heard what great deeds the LORD has done for his people (Joshua 2:10-11). Despite this knowledge, Jericho did not surrender either, but had to be conquered.
Gideon takes his servant Purah with him on the command of God. The name Purah means ‘wine press’ or ‘growth’. If God calls this servant of Gideon by name, it may be to remind Gideon of His appearance to him when he was beating out wheat in the wine press (Judges 6:11). Remembering our previous encounters with the Lord and what He has said to us on those occasions often gives us courage to continue. Such memories also indicate that there is spiritual growth through the relationship with Him.
Gideon accepts God’s offer. He goes and hears one of the Midianites tell a dream. He even hears the dream interpreted by another Midianite. We do not know how the man knows the meaning of the dream. We may assume that God has shown him that the meaning. If God can control things in such a way that Gideon comes to that tent at the right time to witness this conversation, He is also able to let that man say things that are important to Gideon.
What Gideon hears reminds him how weak he is in himself. He is presented in the dream as a barley bread. But the explanation shows that God makes a sword of it to defeat the enemies. Barley bread is the bread of the poor. God often works through poverty and weakness.
The sword that brings victory here is food. When God’s people are fed with Christ, they have a sword in their hands that beats the enemy. God can use our weakest appreciation for Christ to defeat the enemy. As it were, Paul rolls a barley bread into the camp, the church, in Corinth when he says: “Paul was not crucified for you, was he?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). He just wants to say that he and others do not want to function as party leader. He does not participate in party formation and division. He is but a servant. It is about Christ. He humbles himself.
Opposite he places the cross of Christ. What remains of man’s pride and own wisdom when he looks at the cross? Paul ‘carries’ the cross of Christ into the church in Corinth, thus overthrowing the ‘tent’ of battle, mistrust and division. The effect of every simple truth about Christ served in love is that the ‘tent’ of anger, quarrel and strife is thrown to the ground.
Judges 15:6
A Dream to Encourage
God knows the heart of His servant. Despite all the encouragements and promises, there is still a glitch in Gideon’s heart. There is still a residue of doubt. And see how God meets this too. What a God full of patience He is!
The way in which He strengthens Gideon’s hands requires courage. Together with his servant Purah, Gideon must enter the enemy’s army to hear something that will encourage him. How wonderful is the way of God to encourage Gideon. Gideon must actually go to the enemy to hear something there, while God Himself has so often pointed out to him the power that is present in Him.
What God still wants to teach him is that the enemy is more impressed by this power than he is. The enemy already sees himself as defeated, although he never gives in and must actually be defeated. Gideon hears it from the mouth of his enemies: “God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand” (Judges 7:14).
The spies who in Joshua 2 went to spy out the land and came to Rahab the harlot have heard the same. Rahab says to them “that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you” (Joshua 2:9). They have heard what great deeds the LORD has done for his people (Joshua 2:10-11). Despite this knowledge, Jericho did not surrender either, but had to be conquered.
Gideon takes his servant Purah with him on the command of God. The name Purah means ‘wine press’ or ‘growth’. If God calls this servant of Gideon by name, it may be to remind Gideon of His appearance to him when he was beating out wheat in the wine press (Judges 6:11). Remembering our previous encounters with the Lord and what He has said to us on those occasions often gives us courage to continue. Such memories also indicate that there is spiritual growth through the relationship with Him.
Gideon accepts God’s offer. He goes and hears one of the Midianites tell a dream. He even hears the dream interpreted by another Midianite. We do not know how the man knows the meaning of the dream. We may assume that God has shown him that the meaning. If God can control things in such a way that Gideon comes to that tent at the right time to witness this conversation, He is also able to let that man say things that are important to Gideon.
What Gideon hears reminds him how weak he is in himself. He is presented in the dream as a barley bread. But the explanation shows that God makes a sword of it to defeat the enemies. Barley bread is the bread of the poor. God often works through poverty and weakness.
The sword that brings victory here is food. When God’s people are fed with Christ, they have a sword in their hands that beats the enemy. God can use our weakest appreciation for Christ to defeat the enemy. As it were, Paul rolls a barley bread into the camp, the church, in Corinth when he says: “Paul was not crucified for you, was he?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). He just wants to say that he and others do not want to function as party leader. He does not participate in party formation and division. He is but a servant. It is about Christ. He humbles himself.
Opposite he places the cross of Christ. What remains of man’s pride and own wisdom when he looks at the cross? Paul ‘carries’ the cross of Christ into the church in Corinth, thus overthrowing the ‘tent’ of battle, mistrust and division. The effect of every simple truth about Christ served in love is that the ‘tent’ of anger, quarrel and strife is thrown to the ground.
Judges 15:7
Gideon’s Response
Encouragement first of all works worship. With this Gideon gives us a good example. If the Lord has made anything clear to us, He would like us to thank Him first. Only then can we pass on our own experience to others. This applies in particular to the study of the Bible. What we discover in it of truths and other beautiful things, will awaken our hearts to first thank Him and magnify His Name.
If this does not happen, there is a danger that what He gives and shows will become greater than Himself Who is the Giver. The Giver is always greater than the gift. Except of course the Lord Jesus, the Gift of God. There, Giver and Gift are the same. But everything we have received on the ground of the work of the Lord Jesus, we owe to God. Everything we discover about it, we may thankfully tell Him and then pass it on to others.
Someone once said: “You can only call something your property if you first have given it back to God in thanksgiving.” Daniel has the same attitude as Gideon. Daniel begs God to reveal a matter to him (Daniel 2:18). God does so, and the first thing Daniel does is to praise God (Daniel 2:19).
After Gideon himself is encouraged and has worshiped, he says to the people that the LORD has already given them the victory. It is remarkable that he says to the people that the LORD has given the enemy into their power, while God has told him that He will give the enemy into his hand (Judges 7:9). What God has personally promised him, he makes a matter for the whole people. The same we have seen in his calling (Judges 6:12-13).
Judges 15:8
Strange Weapons
The weapons Gideon gives out to his men are not of the kind that can make an impact on the enemy. It is not an army armed to the teeth. Each is given three ‘weapons’: a trumpet, an empty pitcher and a torch that has to be put inside the pitcher. The trumpet used here is the ramshorn. A horn speaks of power and energy and is blown to pass on a message. These trumpets or horns the inhabitants of Jericho have heard day after day as the people moved around the city seven consecutive days (Joshua 6:4-20).
The blowing of the trumpet near the enemy speaks of the strong confidence that God will live up to His Word against the enemy. It is to give a testimony that victory is certain. We can let God’s Word speak because we are convinced of its truth. We can therefore say with Paul: “We also believe, therefore we also speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13).
We also find the pitchers in 2 Corinthians 4. There they are called “earthen vessels” and there is talk about a treasure in them (2 Corinthians 4:7). In the Bible, a vessel sometimes refers to a person or a body (Acts 9:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Peter 3:7). In 2 Corinthians 4 is the addition that it is an earthen vessel. As a result, the emphasis is placed on its fragility.
Unlike a treasure, which represents something precious, an earthen vessel is of low value. The treasure about which Paul writes to the Corinthians is “the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). It may be that Paul, when writing 2 Corinthians 4, thought of Judges 7.
So the weapons of Gideon and his men consist of: 1. a trumpet, which is a picture of the Word of God, 2. an earthen vessel, which is a picture of a weak, fragile body; and 3. a torch, which is a picture of the Light of the glory of God.
In the following verses we see how they are used.
Judges 15:9
Look at Me and Do Likewise
The real leader is someone who not only says what needs to be done, but who leads the way and shows how to do it. We see this in perfection with the Lord Jesus. He washes the feet of the disciples. Then He says to them: “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:14-15). We can observe this ‘being an example’ throughout the life of the Lord Jesus. He never asked His disciples anything that He Himself did not live up to and in which He Himself did not precede.
We can only motivate others for a particular cause if they can recognize its value in our lives. Another striking case we see with Peter and John. Peter can say to the crippled one who expects something from him and John: “Look at us!” (Acts 3:4). That may seem presumptuous, but it is not. Peter and John have something that can heal the man. They believe in this themselves and bear witness to it in all their lives.
If a Christian cannot say so, it is not right with him. This has nothing to do with pride or self-esteem. Whoever is convinced of the Lord’s power and shows it in his life is a living illustration of what he is confessing. His confession is confirmed by his life. It is certainly true that we can fail, but that need not be the daily pattern of someone who wants to live with the Lord.
We too can say this as far as we follow Christ. Paul says: “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). This is essentially the content of the battle cry Gideon let call: “For the LORD and for Gideon.” He has received the LORD’s command and follows Him therein. The others have seen this in Gideon and are following him.
Through his example, Gideon inspires his army to do as he does. This means full obedience to his example. If someone should call something else, or attack the enemy on his own and with his own means, it would mean confusion and defeat. The watchword is: pay close attention to the captain and do precisely what he does and call out what he calls.
Judges 15:10
Look at Me and Do Likewise
The real leader is someone who not only says what needs to be done, but who leads the way and shows how to do it. We see this in perfection with the Lord Jesus. He washes the feet of the disciples. Then He says to them: “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:14-15). We can observe this ‘being an example’ throughout the life of the Lord Jesus. He never asked His disciples anything that He Himself did not live up to and in which He Himself did not precede.
We can only motivate others for a particular cause if they can recognize its value in our lives. Another striking case we see with Peter and John. Peter can say to the crippled one who expects something from him and John: “Look at us!” (Acts 3:4). That may seem presumptuous, but it is not. Peter and John have something that can heal the man. They believe in this themselves and bear witness to it in all their lives.
If a Christian cannot say so, it is not right with him. This has nothing to do with pride or self-esteem. Whoever is convinced of the Lord’s power and shows it in his life is a living illustration of what he is confessing. His confession is confirmed by his life. It is certainly true that we can fail, but that need not be the daily pattern of someone who wants to live with the Lord.
We too can say this as far as we follow Christ. Paul says: “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). This is essentially the content of the battle cry Gideon let call: “For the LORD and for Gideon.” He has received the LORD’s command and follows Him therein. The others have seen this in Gideon and are following him.
Through his example, Gideon inspires his army to do as he does. This means full obedience to his example. If someone should call something else, or attack the enemy on his own and with his own means, it would mean confusion and defeat. The watchword is: pay close attention to the captain and do precisely what he does and call out what he calls.
Judges 15:11
The Battle Starts
Shortly after midnight the battle starts. Every warrior has taken the place that Gideon has appointed him. Everything happened in the greatest possible silence. The time of the posting of the watch is used to come to the outskirts of the camp, close to the enemy’s army. All the warriors keep an eye on Gideon and the hundred men who are with him.
Then the signal comes. Three hundred trumpets make their sound audible that sounds deafening in the silence of the night. The sound reflects off the mountains and the valley fills up with a swelling trumpet sound. At the same time the pitchers are smashed and around the enemy army three hundred torches become visible. It seems as if there is a large army behind every torch.
From this we can learn how to deal with our (spiritual) enemies. First we see that blowing the trumpet is connected to breaking the pitcher. There is no other way. Testimony cannot be given without renouncing ourselves. Then we see that by breaking the pitcher the light becomes visible. Testimony and darkness do not belong together. Light and testimony belong together. Also in Philippians 2 these two are brought forward together for the purpose of our abode among the people, “among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16). This gives such a great revelation of power, that it overcomes the enemy.
There are four things mentioned in the Gospels that can hinder the shining of light. In Luke 8 two are mentioned. There the Lord Jesus says: “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed” (Luke 8:16). A container or vessel is the first hindrance to the shining of light. The vessel, as has already been mentioned, represents a person. Here is the hindrance that someone finds himself important. In the history of Gideon we have seen that the vessel or pitcher must be broken. The self-importance must disappear and then the light can shine unhindered. The second hindrance, the bed, speaks of laziness. Whoever takes his ease and does not intend to commit himself to the Lord will spread little light around him.
In Luke 11, two more hindrances are mentioned: “No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket“ (Luke 11:33). Here first is mentioned a cellar or hidden place. This points to the hidden sins in our lives, things we secretly do and don’t want to show off. As long as we don’t confess and forsake them, these things are an obstacle to let our light shine. The second obstacle is the basket, which is a picture of trade, to be busy making money. This can have such an important place in our lives, that it also becomes an obstacle to let our light shine. Anything that prevents the light from shining must be removed from our life (cf. Matthew 5:15; Mark 4:21).
The only thing that has to happen to the pitcher is: smash it. Then the light is no longer blocked by anything and it can shine fully. We realize only too well that we ourselves are the greatest blockade to the shining of “the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:6). The torches are held in the left hand. The left hand speaks of weakness. Holding the torch in the left hand suggests that we acknowledge our weakness with which we spread light. Breaking the pitcher is equal to not trusting the flesh. Whoever breaks the pitcher can also blow the trumpet held in his right hand. The right hand speaks of power.
The call of Jdg 7:18 “for the LORD and for Gideon” becomes in practice “the sword for the LORD and for Gideon” (Judges 7:20). That is to say, choosing for the Lord and for those who follow Him means acting in obedience to the Word of God. The sword is a picture of the Word that God has given and is visible in the lives of men and women of God. When we say we want to follow the Lord, we can only show it by obeying His Word in everything.
Judges 15:12
The Battle Starts
Shortly after midnight the battle starts. Every warrior has taken the place that Gideon has appointed him. Everything happened in the greatest possible silence. The time of the posting of the watch is used to come to the outskirts of the camp, close to the enemy’s army. All the warriors keep an eye on Gideon and the hundred men who are with him.
Then the signal comes. Three hundred trumpets make their sound audible that sounds deafening in the silence of the night. The sound reflects off the mountains and the valley fills up with a swelling trumpet sound. At the same time the pitchers are smashed and around the enemy army three hundred torches become visible. It seems as if there is a large army behind every torch.
From this we can learn how to deal with our (spiritual) enemies. First we see that blowing the trumpet is connected to breaking the pitcher. There is no other way. Testimony cannot be given without renouncing ourselves. Then we see that by breaking the pitcher the light becomes visible. Testimony and darkness do not belong together. Light and testimony belong together. Also in Philippians 2 these two are brought forward together for the purpose of our abode among the people, “among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16). This gives such a great revelation of power, that it overcomes the enemy.
There are four things mentioned in the Gospels that can hinder the shining of light. In Luke 8 two are mentioned. There the Lord Jesus says: “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed” (Luke 8:16). A container or vessel is the first hindrance to the shining of light. The vessel, as has already been mentioned, represents a person. Here is the hindrance that someone finds himself important. In the history of Gideon we have seen that the vessel or pitcher must be broken. The self-importance must disappear and then the light can shine unhindered. The second hindrance, the bed, speaks of laziness. Whoever takes his ease and does not intend to commit himself to the Lord will spread little light around him.
In Luke 11, two more hindrances are mentioned: “No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket“ (Luke 11:33). Here first is mentioned a cellar or hidden place. This points to the hidden sins in our lives, things we secretly do and don’t want to show off. As long as we don’t confess and forsake them, these things are an obstacle to let our light shine. The second obstacle is the basket, which is a picture of trade, to be busy making money. This can have such an important place in our lives, that it also becomes an obstacle to let our light shine. Anything that prevents the light from shining must be removed from our life (cf. Matthew 5:15; Mark 4:21).
The only thing that has to happen to the pitcher is: smash it. Then the light is no longer blocked by anything and it can shine fully. We realize only too well that we ourselves are the greatest blockade to the shining of “the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:6). The torches are held in the left hand. The left hand speaks of weakness. Holding the torch in the left hand suggests that we acknowledge our weakness with which we spread light. Breaking the pitcher is equal to not trusting the flesh. Whoever breaks the pitcher can also blow the trumpet held in his right hand. The right hand speaks of power.
The call of Jdg 7:18 “for the LORD and for Gideon” becomes in practice “the sword for the LORD and for Gideon” (Judges 7:20). That is to say, choosing for the Lord and for those who follow Him means acting in obedience to the Word of God. The sword is a picture of the Word that God has given and is visible in the lives of men and women of God. When we say we want to follow the Lord, we can only show it by obeying His Word in everything.
Judges 15:13
Each in His Place
It is important in the battle that each person takes the place appointed by the Leader. To make clear the importance of this, we can look at a picture that is used in the Bible to characterize the church. It is about the picture of the body. When we think of a body we do not immediately think of battle, but we will see how taking our designated place in the body makes us useful in the spiritual struggle.
In this comparison, every member of the church is a member of the body and therefore has a task to perform in that body that is related to the function of that member. What each member has to do is arranged by the head. In order for the church, seen as a body, to function as a harmonious unity, it is important that each member follows the commands given by the Head, Christ. All members are connected with each other via the Head.
Problems begin when a member is not satisfied with the place God has given it, for He “has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired” (1 Corinthians 12:18). Dissatisfaction because we don’t have a more important place, or pride because we think we don’t need the other members and can do it all by ourselves, make the body as a whole no longer function as a unity. Then we don’t think of the use that another member has of us, but only of ourselves. Both dissatisfaction and pride stem from selfishness. Today, this selfishness is often translated into individualism. Everyone goes his own way and does not care much about the other and about the whole. If ‘I’ just feel good.
Professing Christianity is a hopelessly divided whole. Unfortunately, because of among other things the individualism mentioned, this same division is also increasingly manifesting itself in faith communities where people want to come together and live in accordance with God’s Word. This creates disorder in the ranks. The result is powerlessness in the fight against the enemy. The church has to give up a lot of terrain, because the members do not each continue to take their own place under the direction of the Head.
The solution is not to start structuring everything and to create your own order. There is only one solution and that is to return to the dependence of the Head and obedience to the commands He gives through His Word. Then He takes over the battle and sows confusion among the enemy.
Blowing on the trumpets, breaking the pitchers and making the torches visible have an enormous effect. Midian’s amazing army starts to run, crying, which only increases the noise. The surprise is complete. In the great confusion that has arisen, the Midianites no longer know how they are doing. Every Midianite sees an enemy in his companion. They think they are overwhelmed by a force majeure and fight their way out of the turmoil of battle, without seeing that they have to deal with their own people. This is how the LORD deals with the enemy, because it is His hand who directs this whole event.
Judges 15:14
Each in His Place
It is important in the battle that each person takes the place appointed by the Leader. To make clear the importance of this, we can look at a picture that is used in the Bible to characterize the church. It is about the picture of the body. When we think of a body we do not immediately think of battle, but we will see how taking our designated place in the body makes us useful in the spiritual struggle.
In this comparison, every member of the church is a member of the body and therefore has a task to perform in that body that is related to the function of that member. What each member has to do is arranged by the head. In order for the church, seen as a body, to function as a harmonious unity, it is important that each member follows the commands given by the Head, Christ. All members are connected with each other via the Head.
Problems begin when a member is not satisfied with the place God has given it, for He “has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired” (1 Corinthians 12:18). Dissatisfaction because we don’t have a more important place, or pride because we think we don’t need the other members and can do it all by ourselves, make the body as a whole no longer function as a unity. Then we don’t think of the use that another member has of us, but only of ourselves. Both dissatisfaction and pride stem from selfishness. Today, this selfishness is often translated into individualism. Everyone goes his own way and does not care much about the other and about the whole. If ‘I’ just feel good.
Professing Christianity is a hopelessly divided whole. Unfortunately, because of among other things the individualism mentioned, this same division is also increasingly manifesting itself in faith communities where people want to come together and live in accordance with God’s Word. This creates disorder in the ranks. The result is powerlessness in the fight against the enemy. The church has to give up a lot of terrain, because the members do not each continue to take their own place under the direction of the Head.
The solution is not to start structuring everything and to create your own order. There is only one solution and that is to return to the dependence of the Head and obedience to the commands He gives through His Word. Then He takes over the battle and sows confusion among the enemy.
Blowing on the trumpets, breaking the pitchers and making the torches visible have an enormous effect. Midian’s amazing army starts to run, crying, which only increases the noise. The surprise is complete. In the great confusion that has arisen, the Midianites no longer know how they are doing. Every Midianite sees an enemy in his companion. They think they are overwhelmed by a force majeure and fight their way out of the turmoil of battle, without seeing that they have to deal with their own people. This is how the LORD deals with the enemy, because it is His hand who directs this whole event.
Judges 15:15
Others Involved in the Battle
It is quite conceivable that many of the men who are now being called in and who are going to get involved in the battle are among the 32,000 who have already signed up for the battle. Although they themselves have not had the courage and dedication to enter into the battle before, they can now begin to do their share in completing the work that others have started.
Gideon is not so stubborn as to think he can do it all by himself. At the right time he knows how to motivate others. His actions and those of his 300 men will have been a great encouragement to the others.
Judges 15:16
Others Involved in the Battle
It is quite conceivable that many of the men who are now being called in and who are going to get involved in the battle are among the 32,000 who have already signed up for the battle. Although they themselves have not had the courage and dedication to enter into the battle before, they can now begin to do their share in completing the work that others have started.
Gideon is not so stubborn as to think he can do it all by himself. At the right time he knows how to motivate others. His actions and those of his 300 men will have been a great encouragement to the others.
Judges 15:17
Oreb and Zeeb
The princes and kings of the hostile peoples have always had a special place in the battle for the land. In particular, they are a picture of the demonic powers that aim to lead the people of God to destruction. They are the leaders and inventors of the strategy with which they exercise their dominion. They impose this strategy on their subjects and order them to implement it. The realm of satan is a well-organized realm. But “we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). We do not therefore need to be surprised by his cunning attacks.
The names of the two princes make it clear how he proceeds. Oreb signs ‘raven’ and Zeeb means ‘wolf’. Here we see the two main forms of the evil that occurs in the world. The raven represents the principle of corruption and impurity. The raven is an unclean bird (Leviticus 11:13; 15). The wolf represents the principle of violence, robbing and devouring (John 10:10; 12). Through these two principles, that of corruption and violence, satan has controlled the world since the Fall (Genesis 6:11).
The first sin committed is that of corruption. By the lie of satan believed by Eve (Genesis 3:1-7), the image of God and the pure relationship between man and God are corrupted. The second sin is that of violence: Cain kills his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1-8). We can classify any form of evil under one of these two categories.
These forms of evil must be stopped in the life of the church. That is to say, they must be judged if they have gained access to and exercise their authority in the church through unfaithfulness. Lying and violence come to an end at a rock and a wine press. In both we see a picture of the cross of the Lord Jesus, where the enemy is defeated.
Judges 15:19
Introduction
This chapter is also about battle. The battle in the previous chapter goes against an enemy from outside who has gained a foothold in the promised land. The main force has been defeated. The victory has been achieved, but cannot yet be celebrated. There are other types of battle in this chapter. They are the result of jealousy (Judges 8:1-3), of refusal to cooperate (Judges 8:4-17) and of flattery (Judges 8:18-31). How Gideon deals with this, again contains important teaching material for our spiritual warfare. The chapter ends with Gideon’s death.
Jealousy
Ephraim is a jealous tribe. In Isaiah 11 jealousy is given as a special feature of this tribe (Isaiah 11:13). Their own ‘I’ is aroused because they are not known in battle. Their self-esteem is affected. In Joshua 17 we already see what is wrong with the Ephraimites: they are not satisfied with their allotted land (Joshua 17:14). After all, they are a large tribe and are therefore entitled to a larger piece, they think. They feel themselves the main tribe.
When God is working to keep the believers together, there may just be someone who causes new difficulties. To jealousy it is intolerable that God uses others and passes us by. If someone does something the Lord blesses, instead of a ‘praise the Lord!’, something will come like ‘why didn’t you call me?’ It comes down to: ‘It can’t be good because it is done without me.’ The ‘Ephraimites’ are still not extinct.
The spirit of jealousy that characterizes the Ephraimites is certainly not found in Paul. He rejoices in it when Christ is preached, even at his expense (Philippians 1:15-18).
Judges 15:20
Gideon’s Gentle Answer
The mind of the Ephraimites is revealed precisely by the victory of Gideon. Through the reaction of the Ephraimites, Gideon’s mind also becomes public. There is an interaction. When we have gained a victory for and by the Lord, others are put to the test, but so are we ourselves. Did that victory make us important? Gideon does what is written in Philippians 2: “With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). This is the means to prevent discord and to maintain unity among the people.
He appeases their anger by praising them. He does not go hard against it, but with gentleness, for “a gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1a). Although the Ephraimites were not involved in the real battle, Gideon gives them more honor than himself. They killed more enemies than he did. This what he brings forward. More enemies are killed when the enemy flees than when the battle rages in all its intensity. Gideon makes their share large and important and presents his own share as smaller.
With this attitude and mind he wins his wronged brothers and thus indicates that he is stronger than a strong city. “A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city” (Proverbs 18:19). We sometimes belittle the service of another person. Jephthah takes a very different approach to this matter and the result is civil war. We get that history in Judges 12.
The Ephraimites leave with the idea that by their efforts the war has been won. It can be a means of preserving peace in the local church by emphasizing certain good qualities or activities of a ‘troublesome’ brother in the community, without falling into flattery.
It demands of us the mind of humility that is perfectly present in the Lord Jesus. He is our example (Philippians 2:1-9). His humiliation was voluntary and total. He always looked for the other person’s interest. His example is the most far-reaching of what someone has ever done for another. He came from heaven to earth, became Man, became Slave, and died the death on the cross. Greater humiliation is inconceivable. And we often have the greatest difficulty with the slightest indulgence to another. This is not about justifying a sin. It’s about our attitude toward someone who is difficult to deal with, by which our mind is tested, whether we think we are important.