Judges 7

Bible Passage:  Judges 7

Just a few weeks back, I received one very amusing email entitled “Ever Wonder…” In it were a list of everyday scenarios which we may have come across but never really put much thought into. One of the descriptions read, “Ever wonder why you don’t ever see this in the newspaper headlines – Psychic wins lottery!”

In the previous chapter of Judges, we read that Joash, Gideon’s father rebuked the people who were seeking revenge against Gideon for destroying their wooden idol Baal, “If he is a god, let him plead for himself, because his altar has been torn down!” (Judges 6:31)

We can probably add one more item to the list of ‘ever wonder’, “Ever wonder why people worship idols which they themselves carved from stones (and can destroy just as easily as they made them)?”

It simply doesn’t make sense.

But did you pause to think?

How observant or discerning are we when we carry out our daily activities? Do we pause to reflect on what we are doing, think through what we are about to do, or bump around in the hope that we may get lucky one day, or are content with following what the majority are doing, or pass through life in a haughty flurry? Do we pause and pray for wisdom when we come across a tricky situation?

Luck? MY will power? Or GOD’s doing?

In Judges chapter 7 and later in chapter 8, we read that 300 Israelites prevailed against 135000 from opposing forces. Another food for thought for me today is the fact that God wants us to rely on Him in all situations, and to glory in His sovereignty.

“My Own Hand Has Saved Me” (Judges 7:2)

God chose only 300 men out of many who professed they wanted to fight the Midianites. God wanted to open the eyes of the Israelites to the fact that their victory or loss is not in their own hands but in God’s.

When we claim glory for ourselves, we have essentially robbed God’s glory. We have carelessly taken for granted the abundant providence and careful guidance of God for the big and small things in our lives. The danger of this is that we may become too comfortable with a smooth-going life and seek dishonourable pleasures to entertain ourselves. Or we could deceive ourselves into believing that it is by our own strength that we have succeeded. And gradually, we lose sight of God.

I am reminded of hymn 297.

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,

That thou might’st ransomed be, and quickened from the dead;

I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me? (X2)

My Father’s house of light, My glory circled throne,

I left for earthly night, for wanderings sad and lone;

I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me? (X2)

I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell,

Of bitt’rest agony, to rescue thee from hell;

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, what hast thou borne for Me? (X2)

And I have brought to thee, down from My home above,

Salvation full and free, My pardon and My love;

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, what hast thou brought to Me? (X2)

The next time we are made to feel good about ourselves, praised for a good work done well, remember to give all glory to God. This is the least we can do.