Observations:
(1) Usually, people would form a welcoming party for the champion to come home. However, Ephramites blame Gideon for not summoning them to go to fight the Midianites. "They argued vehemently with him." v.1b. Gideon did not argue back, but replied with wisdom words v.2-3.
(2) The men of Succoth and Penuel refused to form ally with Gideon. v.4-9
v.6 The officials of Succoth said, “You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna. So why should we give bread to your army?”
(NET) The officials of Succoth are hesitant to give (or sell) food to Gideon’s forces because they are not sure of the outcome of the battle. Perhaps they had made an alliance with the Midianites which demanded their loyalty.
In both incidents Gideon replied with certainty that the LORD would help him to win the war.
8:7 Gideon said, “Since you will not help, after the LORD hands Zebah and Zalmunna over to me, I will thresh your skin with desert thorns and briers.
8:9 He also threatened the men of Penuel, warning, “When I return victoriously, I will tear down this tower.”
So far, Gideon did not get much support from his fellow Israelites. They either blamed him for not taking them along to war or they looked down to him and not willing to form ally with him. However, Gideon was full of faith to God that he would win the war even without their help.
(3) With only 300 men, Gideon "ambushed the surprised army" v.11, 12 and capture the 2 Midianite kings. Before he killed them he showed them to the men of Succoth who had insulted him before.
Reflections: Without food and exhausted and no supporting from their fellow Israelites, Gideon and the 300 men won the war! They were not just few in number, but physically exhausted. Moreover, people blamed them and looked down to them. Who would think that they could success? But, God was with them. They ambushed the enemies and captured their king.
Gideon was a man with fear from the beginning. He had doubt and wanted God to show him the signs couple times. Now, when he witnessed what God had done in the Midiantes in the battlefield (7:22) he changed.
Have you grown in your faith? When did you witness the work of God in your life? Do you now still care about lack of strength or lack of support from the people? Or you do not mind and know that if God is with you nothing will stand against you?
Audrey
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