As Gideon viewed the task ahead of him, the sheer size of the enemy would have been discouraging. Before any reducing was done, the Midianites outnumbered the Israelites 4 to 1.

[Read Judges 7:1-23]

• Gideon needed comfort and assurance when his army was 32’000 men, imagine how his heart would’ve sank when 22’000 of those went home! What might Gideon have been thinking?
• They were now outnumbered 13 to 1. Then another 9’700 were sent home! That’s 300 against 135’000. NOW they were outnumbered 400 to 1. Impossible odds?
• In v1-8, we see God reducing down Israel’s army. Why?
• In Deut 20:8 and in v3 here, we see that any afraid soldiers are sent home. What could be the reasons for this?
• How would the remaining 10’000 have felt as 22’000 went back home?
• Was this 2nd test just another means of reducing numbers or was there more to it?
• Why did God tell Gideon to take Purah along?
• V13-14 shows dreams and interpretations. This is quite common in the OT. Can you think of other examples?
• The use of barley bread was because it was considered an inferior grain and only half the value of wheat. Why might this be significant?
• Why was the “beginning of the middle watch” a good strategic time to attack?
• The 300’s “weapons” were jars, torches, and trumpets. What would they think of these weapons?
• What would the 300 think of the “battle plan”? How would you feel in this situation?
• Why did the 300 go along with the plan?