Lesson 78: Judges 7:20
The Blueprint — The Verse
The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"
Memorization Practice
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King James Version (KJV) — Public Domain.
The Context — The History
Gideon's army faced Midianite forces camped in the Jezreel Valley, a strategic breadbasket of IsraelIsrael is the covenant people chosen by Yahweh, descended from Jacob, set apart to bear God’s name, receive His promises, and reveal His character to the nations. More. Night attacks with torches and trumpets exploited ancient warfare psychology—confusion and fear in darkness.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
God reduced Gideon's troops to three hundred to ensure IsraelIsrael is the covenant people chosen by Yahweh, descended from Jacob, set apart to bear God’s name, receive His promises, and reveal His character to the nations. More would not boast in its own strength. At Gideon's signal they broke jars, raised torches, and shouted, routing a vastly larger enemy.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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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.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
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Why does God sometimes win battles through weakness?
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What 'jars' must break for God's light to shine?
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How do you give credit to the LORD in your victories?
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