Gideon’s Victory

I. Introduction – “The Few Who Stood”

In June of 1940, the Allied forces were being crushed on the beaches of Dunkirk. Over 300,000 soldiers were trapped between the Nazi army and the sea, defenseless and without escape. Winston Churchill warned that the situation was hopeless. Yet, across the English Channel, ordinary citizens — fishermen, merchants, and sailors — took their small boats and sailed into danger. Against all odds, they rescued hundreds of thousands. It became known as “The Miracle of Dunkirk.”

The truth is, it wasn’t superior strength that saved those men — it was courage, faith, and the unseen hand of Providence. God used a few to preserve many.

And that’s the same story we see in Judges 7. Gideon’s army was hopelessly outnumbered: 300 men against 135,000 Midianites. Yet God deliberately stacked the odds that way to prove one thing — that salvation belongs to the Lord.

He didn’t need 32,000 soldiers. He didn’t need swords or spears. He just needed a few surrendered hearts who would obey and trust His Word. Because in every generation, God still does His greatest work through the weakest vessels.

So tonight, as we look at Gideon’s victory, I want you to remember this: God’s power is never limited by our size, our resources, or our confidence — only by our unbelief.

II. The Reduction of the Army (Judges 7:1–8)

“And the LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, “My own hand has saved me.”’” (v. 2)

A. The Fearful Depart (vv. 1–3)

At the spring of Harod (“spring of trembling”), God exposes the fearful. 22,000 depart, 10,000 remain. God’s goal is not a smaller army — it’s a purer faith.

Phillips: “God’s cause is never hindered by smallness, but by self-sufficiency.”

Cross Reference – Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV):

“So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” Says the LORD of hosts.’”

Application: Fear often reveals where faith is weak — yet God can still work through the few who stay. Discussion: What “fear” has God used in your life to purify your dependence on Him?

B. The Few Are Refined (vv. 4–7)

The test at the water wasn’t about how they drank, but about who was watchful. From 10,000 down to 300, God refines His people like silver (cf. Ps. 66:10).

Stone: “God deliberately stripped Israel of strength so that His deliverance would be unmistakable.”

Cross Reference – Psalm 33:16–17 (NKJV):

“No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.”

Application: God reduces us until there’s nothing left to rely on but Him. Discussion: What does it look like for God to “reduce” your strength today?

C. The Stage Is Set (v. 8)

Gideon sends away the others but keeps their trumpets — a sign of coming victory.

Phillips: “God chose a small remnant so that all Israel might learn the lesson of the Lord’s strength through human weakness.”

Cross Reference – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV):

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Application: God’s reduction is not rejection; it’s preparation. Discussion: How can you view your limitations as part of God’s plan, not an obstacle?

III. The Reassurance of Gideon’s Faith (Judges 7:9–15)

“If you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant.” (v. 10)

A. God’s Mercy Meets Gideon’s Fear (vv. 9–11)

God gives Gideon permission to admit his fear — and grace to overcome it. He sends Gideon to overhear what God has already done in the enemy’s camp.

Cross Reference – Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV):

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Application: The God who calls us into battle also walks beside us through it. Discussion: Why is it comforting that God knows our fears before we voice them?

B. The Enemy’s Dream (vv. 12–14)

A Midianite soldier dreams of a barley loaf tumbling into camp and overturning a tent — a humble symbol of Gideon’s victory.

Stone: “The barley loaf represented Gideon himself—ordinary, unimpressive, and yet chosen as God’s unlikely instrument.”

Cross Reference – 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (NKJV):

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen… that no flesh should glory in His presence.”

Application: God uses common people for uncommon purposes. Discussion: How can God use your “barley loaf” gifts for His glory?

C. Worship Before War (v. 15)

Before lifting a sword, Gideon lifts his heart in worship.

Phillips: “Victory begins not on the battlefield, but in the place of reverent surrender.”

Cross Reference – Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV):

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Application: True courage grows in the soil of worship. Discussion: Why must worship come before action in the life of faith?

IV. The Strategy of Weakness (Judges 7:16–20)

“Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers.” (v. 16)

A. The Weapons of Light (vv. 16–18)

Each man carries:

A trumpet – a symbol of proclamation and faith.

A jar – a symbol of human weakness.

A torch – a symbol of divine light.

Van Pelt: “The Lord used the ordinary implements of life to accomplish an extraordinary deliverance. Victory is not found in the weapon but in the God who wields it.”

Cross Reference – 2 Corinthians 4:6–7 (NKJV):

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

Application: Our weakness becomes the platform for His power. Discussion: What “torch in a jar” has God given you to shine His light through brokenness?

B. The Cry of Faith (v. 20)

“A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!”

They cry out in unity, echoing the dream they overheard. Their voice becomes the trumpet of victory.

Spurgeon: “A cake of barley bread might be a worthless thing; but if God were behind it, it would upset a tent!”

Cross Reference – Exodus 15:3 (NKJV):

“The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name.”

Application: Faith that proclaims God’s name aloud becomes a weapon of victory. Discussion: How can verbalizing God’s truth strengthen your faith in times of fear?

V. The Confusion of the Enemy (Judges 7:21–25)

“And the LORD set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp.” (v. 22)

A. God Fights for His People (vv. 21–22)

Israel stands still — God makes the enemy destroy itself.

Phillips: “Sometimes God’s people simply stand, and He fights for them; He is the unseen warrior in every victory.”

Cross Reference – Exodus 14:13–14 (NKJV):

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.’”

Application: When you cannot fight, you can still stand — and God will fight for you. Discussion: Why is “standing still” sometimes the hardest form of obedience?

B. The Pursuit and Completion (vv. 23–25)

Gideon calls for reinforcements — Naphtali, Asher, Manasseh, and Ephraim — to finish the victory. The Ephraimites capture Oreb (“raven”) and Zeeb (“wolf”), symbols of oppression defeated.

Stone: “When God begins to act, even the hesitant tribes rally to join His cause. Faith in motion provokes faith in others.”

Cross Reference – Psalm 18:39 (NKJV):

“For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.”

Spurgeon—on “late help” (use here, v.23):

“If some have the courage to strike the enemy, there are others who will come out of their hiding-places to hunt the beaten foe. When you really want help, often you cannot get it; but when you can afford to do without assistance, you will sometimes be embarrassed by it.”

Spurgeon—on cultural bluster vs. gospel courage (optional application tie-in):

“Behold the host of doubters, and heretics, and revilers, who, at the present time, have come up into the inheritance of Israel, hungry from their deserts of rationalism and atheism! They are eating up all the corn of the land. They cast a doubt upon all the verities of our faith. But we need not fear them; for if we heard their secret counsels, we should perceive that they are afraid of us. Their loud blusterings and their constant sneers, are the index of real fear. Those who preach the cross of our Lord Jesus are the terror of modern thinkers. In their heart of hearts they dread the preaching of the old-fashioned gospel, and they hate what they dread. On their beds they dream of the coming of some evangelist into their neighborhood. What the name of Richard was to the Saracens, that is the name of Moody to these boastful intellects.”

Application: Obedience is contagious — your courage may awaken others to follow Christ boldly. Discussion: Who might be waiting for you to take the first step of obedience?

VI. Theological Thread

God fights for His people: Exodus 15:3

He reduces to refine: Psalm 66:10

He strengthens the fearful: Isaiah 41:10

He receives all glory: 1 Corinthians 1:29

He shines through the weak: 2 Corinthians 4:7

VII. Closing Charge – “Stand Still and See”

Family, the story of Gideon reminds us that God doesn’t need great numbers—He needs surrendered hearts. When Israel stood trembling at the spring of Harod, God said, “There are too many.” When the odds were impossible, He said, “Now I will save you.”

That’s how our God works. He strips away self-reliance so that His strength alone is seen. He puts torches in clay jars and asks us to stand still while He fights. Paul would later echo this truth when he said, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor 4:7).

So here’s your charge tonight: When fear surrounds you and the enemy looks countless—stand still. When your resources run low and your courage feels smaller than a mustard seed—stand still. When the world says, “It can’t be done,” remember that the battle belongs to the Lord, and one plus God is still a majority.

Let the lesson of Gideon mark your heart:

Trust the Lord when He reduces your strength.

Praise Him before the victory is visible.

Give Him all the glory when the jars break and the light shines out.

As Spurgeon once said,

“Little faith will bring your soul to heaven; great faith will bring heaven to your soul.”

So, go forward this week not with many, but with faith— not with confidence in yourself, but with confidence in the God who delights to save through the weak. Stand your ground, lift your torch high, sound the trumpet of truth, and watch the Lord fight for you.

Final Reflection: Where is God asking you to trust Him with less, so He can show Himself as more?