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The Bible study podcast, episode 20, part two of Gideon.

Welcome to the Bible study podcast. I'm your host, Chris Christensen.

Last week on the show, we started the story of Gideon from Judges Chapter 6.

This week will be continuing on with Judges Chapter 7.

As you remember from last week, Gideon was chosen somewhat reluctantly to be the judge who would deliver God's people Israel from the Midianites.

And last week we focused on Gideon's fear and somewhat reluctance to take on the job and God's patience with him.

Let's read from Judges 7.

Early in the morning, Drew Baal, that is Gideon, and all his men camped at the spring of Herod.

The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moray.

The Lord said to Gideon,

You have too many men to deliver Midian into their hands,

in order that Israel may not boast against me that their own strength has saved her.

Announced now to the people, anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead,

so 22,000 men left, while 10,000 remained. But the Lord said to Gideon,

There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there.

If I say this one shall go with you, he shall go. But if I say, this one should not go with you,

he shall not go. So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, separate those who lapped the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.

Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

The Lord said to Gideon, with the three hundred men that lapped, I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.

Let all the other men go, each to his own place.

So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents, but kept 300, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

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