Gideon's call to all Israel gathered 32,000 soldiers, a phenomenon in those days. They went to the valley of Megiddo and camped by the spring of Harod. What Gideon considered a modest troop; God considered a large number. According to the Spirit of God, who knows all things better than man, it would be a problem to have all those men in the war. He did not want them to die.

Here is the first lesson Gideon received from the Lord: quantity is not quality. Being a Man of War, God knew that taking unprepared people was the same as leading the people into the enemy’s hands, for it would undoubtedly hinder Israel's performance in combat. Those who do not know how to do something should ask for guidance from the One who created all things out of nothing and has kept them in place since the beginning (Hebrews 1:2-3). If you pray, the Most High will hear you and answer you.

Gideon prayed, and the Lord instructed him to select the men who would go into battle with him. It is as if God said to him, “Let us cleanse the group, separating the heroes from the cowards and the fearful” (Judges 7:3-7). In the Law of Moses, see who could not go to war: “The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart.’ (Deuteronomy 20.8).

God knows man better than he knows himself, for He created him. He also knows that Adam's sin negatively affected human beings, leading them to boast about things they did not do and did not depend on their ability, touching the glory that belongs solely to the Almighty. Never believe in human justifications, because they do not match the Truth. It is characteristic of man to exalt himself for his small and inefficient deeds. However, God protects us and knows how to prepare and use us. The glory belongs to Him!

The Most High would deliver the Midianites into the hands of Gideon, but if many Israelites fought in the war, they could boast of victory without recognizing that God had assured them that they would subdue the enemy. When we say, modesty aside, that we defeated temptations on our own, we open ourselves up to the lie that we are the fundamental part, when in fact it is the Lord. God always does His part, which is why we win.

It is good to follow the Almighty's guidance, but if we refuse to heed His commandments, we will be prevented from using the authority determined by the Lord to have our orders carried out. Let us always remember: without Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5). The Amalekites only found ways to oppress the Israelites because they were far from the Most High. Those who do not draw near to God prevent Him from drawing near to those who say they love Him (James 4:8). Believe and live!

Our own hands will never be able to deliver us from danger unless we are under God's command, for it is from Him that we draw the power we use against the devil and his angels. We are incapable of doing anything on our own. However, the Lord loves us and enables us to be His instruments!

           In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares