GIDEON’S VICTORY
Judges 7:16-18
Morning Meditation
"And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon."
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. Like Gideon, every divinely-called one has a work to do that would be otherwise perfectly impossible but for the grace of God. Every regenerated life is a miracle, a new center of operation for the spiritual forces of Heaven, and of course there must be a special manifestation of supernatural and unworldly influences. If a Christian is not in the eyes of the world odd or strange he is not walking the walk or talking the talk. 2 Timothy 3:12, "Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
Paul’s conclusion was not confined to the day in which he lived. It is a truth that will accompany the Christian throughout the age. This does not mean that we have to deliberately be obnoxious. To follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to have His loving and meek attitude toward His enemies, is the rule we are to live by. He did all that and they nailed him to the cross. Have you discovered that this world is nuts!!! They love darkness rather than light. As we meditate on Gideon’s victory let’s look first of all at—
THE STRANGE PREPARATION
Verse 16 says, “He put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.” This is not the normal way one goes to war. The trumpets make it look like Gideon is forming a brass band. The pitchers look like they are going to the well after water. The word “pitcher” means, “A large portable jar.” And then, they were to put lamps in the jars. The word “lamp” is the translation of a word that means, “a torch.” Now we need to call the fire department!!! Now, I’m not just trying to be funny. This is some array for a small group of three hundred men to have to use to fight against the multitude of Midianites. When the battle was over one hundred and twenty thousand Midianites lay dead. But to say the least, this was a strange preparation for battle. God’s ways are not our ways. Next let’s look at—
THE PRESENT EXAMPLE
Gideon said in verse 17, “Look on me and do likewise; as I do, so shall ye do.” Each one must look unto him who is God’s messenger, and who goes before them. Gideon himself, in his ways and actions, was an example to each consecrated follower. Christ has left us an example that we should follow in His steps. Hebrews 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus is the Coach. He has already lived life and He knows all the winning plays. He is our example. And every pastor and leader should so follow in His steps that the people in the Church are safe to follow their human leader. Next let’s look at—
THE UNITING BATTLE CRY
Verse 20 says, “And they cried, The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.” There was only one sword among them, but it was enough, for it was the SWORD OF THE LORD, and the hand of Gideon was grasping it. The one glittering blade of divine truth is mightier than all the weapons of Satan.
The Word is the sword of the Lord for the Church today. Ephesians 6:17, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" It is the one most effective weapons that He has left His disciples. Have you noticed how that the Word of God has been under attack? I know a lot of my brethren do not agree with what I am about to say but I’m going to say it anyway. All the modern translations that have flooded the market are all without exception based on what I believe to be corrupt Greek texts. They are printed with the intention of making the Bible more understandable. Well, for the Bible to be understandable, first of all, you have to have a truly born again Christian. 1 Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." And second, you have to have the Holy Spirit to illuminate the words that He gave. John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
What has happened is that words are changed to make them more understandable (some would say more accurate). One of the dogmas of fundamentalism is the verbal inspiration of the Bible. The word “verbal” means “word.” This means we believe the very words were given in the original writings. This is brought out in 1 Corinthians 2:13, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
I believe the Textus Receptus i.e., the received text is the text in which God preserved His Word. And I believe the scholars who translated it gave us a good translation. It has been honored by the Lord since 1611 and millions have been saved through it’s use. We need to be united in the battle cry. Next let’s look at—
THE PECULIAR WARFARE
Verses 19-20 say, “They blew the trumpets, and break the pitchers, and held the lamps, and cried, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!!!” Every man, as God’s chosen one, had a trumpet, a pitcher, and a lamp, but every one’s faith was in the “Sword of The LORD.” Each soldier sounded his trumpet as an individual testimony for God, then the pitchers were dashed together and broken into countless fragments; a broken and contrite heart is needed if the lamp of heavenly truth is to shine forth in the eyes of the ungodly. Then came the united cry, and the great battle was quickly won. Next let’s look at—
THE COMPLETE VICTORY
Verse 21 says, “They stood every man in his place round about the camp, and all the host ran, and cried and fled.” Let’s summarize the secret of this great triumph:
They were united. They were as one man with one sword.
They were obedient. They followed Gideon’s example.
They were faithful. They stood every man in his place.
They were triumphant. God gave the victory. The men of Israel said unto Gideon, “Rule thou over us, for thou hast delivered us” (8:22).
I named this subject “Gideon’s Victory” but it was actually the LORD’S victory. And that is the kind of victory we need in the Church today.
May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ
Bro. White