INTRODUCTION: The story of Gideon shows how God can give the victory if we will trust entirely in Him. Gideon fully followed the plan of God, even when it meant doing some things that any observer would think crazy (like cutting his force to less than 1% of his original size). Gideon feared the battle but he did not shirk from his call. Consider how to apply the lessons of Gideon to your own battles.

1. GIDEON GATHERS AN ARMY (Judges 6:33-35 [33] Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel. [34] But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him. [35] And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
   See All...)
1. The Midianites Come to Battle (Judges 6:33Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
   See All...).
1. They come with allies. [The Devil usually hits us with several things at once.]
2. They pitch in the valley of Jezreel.
1. Same as the Plain of Megiddo; a place of battle in Scripture
2. The pitching of tents means they came to stay for a while.
2. The Lord Enables Gideon (Judges 6:34-35 [34] But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him. [35] And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
   See All...).
1. The Spirit comes upon him (Judges 6:34But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
   See All...; Judges 3:10And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.
   See All...; Judges 13:25And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
   See All...; Judges 14:19And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.
   See All...; Judges 15:14And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 11:6And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
   See All...). God’s callings are His enablings       (1 Thessalonians 5:24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
   See All...).
2. He blows a trumpet (Judges 6:34But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
   See All...). [There comes a time for God’s people to make their stand known (Numbers 10:9And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
   See All...).]
3. He send messengers throughout the land (Judges 6:35And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
   See All...). [We are called to send God’s message out (Haggai 1:13Then spake Haggai the LORD's messenger in the LORD's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.
   See All...; Romans 10:14-15 [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
   See All...).]
2. GIDEON PUTS OUT THE FLEECE (Judges 6:36-40 [36] And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, [37] Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. [38] And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. [39] And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. [40] And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
   See All...)
1. The Wet Fleece and the Dry Earth (Judges 6:36-38 [36] And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, [37] Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. [38] And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
   See All...)
2. The Dry Fleece and the Wet Earth (Judges 6:39-40 [39] And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. [40] And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
   See All...)
3. NOTES
1. This is the second of three major signs given to Gideon (see Judges 6:17And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.
   See All... for the first).
2. God works with the Jewish people through signs (Exodus 4:8-9 [8] And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. [9] And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
   See All..., 17, 28; Numbers 14:11And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
   See All...; Acts 2:22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 1:22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
   See All...).
3. The putting out of a fleece is not a biblical principle which we are encouraged to follow. It was an Old Testament incident. It teaches the power of God. But it does not establish a sure way of discovering God’s will.
3. GIDEON DIMINISHES HIS ARMY (Judges 7:1-8 [1] Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. [2] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. [3] Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. [4] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. [5] So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. [6] And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. [7] And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. [8] So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
   See All...)
1. He Dismisses 22,000 Fearful Men (Judges 7:1-3 [1] Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. [2] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. [3] Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
   See All...).
1. He camps his army across from the Midianites (Judges 7:1Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
   See All...).
2. He applies the test of courage (Judges 7:2-3 [2] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. [3] Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
   See All...; Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
   See All...; 2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
   See All...).
1. God requires it for His glory (Judges 7:2And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence. [30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: [31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
   See All...).
2. Gideon dismisses the fearful (Judges 7:3Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
   See All...).
3. More than two thirds fail the test (Judges 7:3Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
   See All...).
1. Fear can deny salvation (Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
   See All...).
2. Fear can hinder service (Philippians 1:14And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
   See All...).
3. Fear can cause bondage (Hebrews 2:15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
   See All...).
2. He Dismisses 9,700 Foolish Men (Judges 7:4-6 [4] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. [5] So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. [6] And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
   See All...).
1. Still too many for God’s glory (Judges 7:4And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
   See All...; Isaiah 42:8I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
   See All...; Jeremiah 9:23-24 [23] Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
   See All...)
2. He applies the test of caution or watchfulness (Judges 7:5So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
   See All...; 1 Thessalonians 5:6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
   See All...; Romans 13:11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
   See All...; Ephesians 5:14-15 [14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. [15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
   See All...; 1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
   See All...).
1. They go to the water to drink.
2. The test is whether or not they keep a lookout while they drink.
3. Gideon dismisses the foolish (Proverbs 22:3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
   See All...).
3. He Continues with 300 Faithful Men (Judges 7:7-8 [7] And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. [8] So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
   See All...).
1. This small number pleases the Lord (Judges 7:7And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 14:6And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
   See All...).
2. God promises deliverance by the faithful (Judges 7:7And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.
   See All...).
3. The other men are sent home (Judges 7:7-8 [7] And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. [8] So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
   See All...).
4. The faithful 300 take their place before Midian (Judges 7:8So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
   See All...).
4. GIDEON HEARS THE MIDIANITE DREAM (Judges 7:9-14 [9] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand. [10] But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host: [11] And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host. [12] And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude. [13] And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. [14] And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
   See All...)
1. God Promises Gideon Victory (Judges 7:9And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
   See All...).
2. God Offers Gideon Another Sign (Judges 7:10-11 [10] But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host: [11] And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.
   See All...).
1. If he is fearful [This shows the patience and grace of God in dealing with our fears and lack of faith.]
2. He is to follow his servant. [If we lack faith, we must at least be humble.]
3. This is the third sign given to Gideon.
3. The Armies of the Enemy Fill the Valley (Judges 7:12And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
   See All...).
4. Gideon Hears the Dream of the Midianite Soldier (Judges 7:13-14 [13] And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. [14] And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
   See All...).
1. Of a cake of barley bread that overturns the tent of Midian (Judges 7:13And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.
   See All...)
1. Barley is the cheapest of the grains used in Bible times; it was the bread of the poor.
2. Gideon is considered a common man (Judges 6:15And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
   See All...).
2. The cake is interpreted to be the sword of Gideon and the dream prophesies of the defeat of Midian (Judges 7:14And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
   See All...).
5. GIDEON TRAINS HIS ARMY (Judges 7:15-18 [15] And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. [16] And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. [17] And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. [18] When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
   See All...)
1. Confidence: Gideon Assures Them of Victory (Judges 7:15And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.
   See All...).
2. Organization: Gideon Divides Them into Three Companies (Judges 7:16And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 14:33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
   See All..., 40).
3. Provision: Gideon Gives Them Their Necessary Equipment (Judges 7:16And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.
   See All...).
1. A trumpet [Compare to the Word of God.]
2. An empty pitcher [an empty vessel (2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
   See All...; 2 Timothy 2:21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
   See All...)]
3. A lamp in each pitcher [Compare to the Holy Spirit in us.]
4. Preparation: Gideon Trains Them to Follow His Lead (Judges 7:17-18 [17] And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. [18] When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
   See All...; 2 Timothy 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
   See All...).
1. Do as I do (Judges 7:17And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
   See All...; Hebrews 13:17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
   See All...).
2. Blow the trumpets (Judges 7:18When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
   See All...).
3. Say, “The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon” (Judges 7:18When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
   See All...).
6. GIDEON’S ARMY DEFEATS THE MIDIANITES (Judges 7:19-22 [19] 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. [20] And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. [21] And they stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. [22] And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.
   See All...)
1. They Approach the Camp at the New Watch (Judges 7:19So 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.
   See All...).
2. They Do What They Have Been Trained to Do (Judges 7:19-20 [19] 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. [20] And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
   See All...).
1. They blow the trumpets.
2. They brake the pitchers.
3. They hold the lamps.
4. They cry, “The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.”
3. They Stand Every Man in His Place (Judges 7:21And they stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
   See All...; Ephesians 6:13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
   See All...).
4. God Gave a Complete Victory (Judges 7:22And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.
   See All...).
7. GIDEON RALLIES THE MEN OF ISRAEL (Judges 7:23-25 [23] And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites. [24] And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. [25] And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
   See All...)
1. The Men of Israel Pursue the Midianites (Judges 7:23And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.
   See All...).
2. The Men of Ephraim Capture Two Princes (Judges 7:24-25 [24] And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. [25] And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: Gideon’s original army was made up of the fearful, the foolish, and the faithful. God sent the fearful and the foolish home and did His work through the faithful. Which group would you be in if the battle were to take place today?