What Was Right About Who Was Left
Judges 7
Intro: Before we get into the message, notice Gideon in chapter 6:
A. He was Hurting – vs. 13 “…why is all this befallen us…?”
B. He was Hunting – vs. 13 “…where be all his miracles?”
C. He was Honored – vs. 14, 15
D. He was Helped – vs. 15
E. He was Hesitant – vs. 17, vs. 27, 36-40
F. He was Humbled – 7:2 started with 32,000 and had only 300 left
They started with 32,000.
He told the ones that were scared to go home. 22,000 went home. There was only 10,000 left. (7:3)
He told them to drink water. The ones that lapped like a dog were 9,700.
That left 300 men.
Gideon is down to less than 1 percent of what he started with!!!
Notice God’s words of affirmation and assurance in Judges 7:7
- Vs. 7 – …by the three hundred will I save you.
After the two processes of elimination, there were only 300 soldiers left.
But it was OK, because there was some things right about those that were left.
These 300 were the right one’s for the job.
There were some things that they had in common that made them perfect for this task.
Many times, we get distracted and discouraged by those that leave or decide to forsake God.
We can be encouraged by this fact; the ones that stay can still get the job done!
Sometimes, it’s not the number, but the unity that God is looking for!
There were only 300 of them, but they were all on the same page. SEE 6:16
God wants to work with the church AS ONE MAN.
So what was it about the ones that were left that was so right?
I. Their Decision to Stay – vs. 3
Their heart was in it; they decided to stay in spite of:
A. The Devastation – 6:4
B. The Desolation – 6:5
C. The Desertion – 7:3 – 22,000 companions bailed and went home
D. The Demoralization – can you imagine how it felt to see nearly everyone walk away?
II. Their Diligence to Survive – vs. 5, 6
NOTE: Those that lapped water like a dog on their face were depending on somebody else to look out for them.
Those that knelt and drank from their hand were constantly aware of their surroundings.
Their head was in the game.
They were not just soldiers in name, but soldiers in deed.
III. Their Desire to Submit – vs. 17
- Judges 7:17 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.
Not too many people can follow God’s man as he follows God.
Most people have their own agenda and want to do things God’s way.
IV. Their Dedication to Shout – vs. 18-20
- 18 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.
- 19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.
- 20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
They were outnumbered.
They were outmanned and outgunned.
They were out of their comfort zone.
But that didn’t rob them of their shout!
God give us a group of people that will shout when others are tucking tail and running!
There’s something to be said about a group of people that don’t know when they’re licked!!
V. Their Determination to Shine – vs. 19, 20
- 19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.
- 20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
A. In Spite of the Blows
B. In Spite of the Brokenness
C. In Spite of the Battle
They still let their light shine!
The blows and the brokenness and the battle didn’t put out their lights!