After the bravery test which Gideon passed, the threat from the opposition escalated. "The Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern groups joined forces and crossed the Jordan to quell and quench this affront. (v33) At this, Gideon blew his trumpet and sent out messengers to summon help.
Gideon in the face of this impending menace was getting worried and had to seek assurance from God using a woollen fleece -- whether indeed God is the One sending him.
Gideon's men were so numerous that God asked him to reduce them "Lest Israel would boast that her own strength had saved her." (Jdg. 7:2)
Of the 32,000 men who volunteered, all those who were afraid were asked to return home. 22.000 chickened out and the Israelites were down to 10,000. God said that they were still too many and must be reduced further. He then asked Gideon to take the men to the water (river) to drink. The 300 men that lapped like dogs quaĺified against the rest who went down on their knees to drink. (v6)
Lessons learnt: 1/ Many are called but few are chosen. (Matt. 22:14)
2/ Vigilance became the yardstick for the selection.
In this life we must be on the alert, on our guard for the devil "prowls around looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
