Judges 7:7 “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.’”
CRUDE COMPARISON
Don’t you just love this story of Gideon and how the Lord chose the men who would fight with him? He starts out with 22,000 men and ends up with 300. 300! Now that’s a huge RIF (Reduction in Force). There would be no mistaking the fact that it would be God who delivered Israel and not their huge army.
But God uses how they drank to pick them. Those who knelt at the water (9,700) were sent home. Only those who lapped the water with their tongue, like a dog, (300) were chosen. So, being looked at like a dog was a good thing here. I just find that strange.
TEACHING MOMENT
Of course, the lesson for our children in this verse is obvious. Drink like a dog. No, just kidding. The lesson is to allow the Lord to decide how you fight your battles. God has a bigger plan than yours. He can see the end result – we can’t. He can see the outcome. In fact, He can see the outcome, however we chose to obey. But He wants to direct us in His way.
This is a fun verse to act out with your kids. They will probably think you are silly and maybe a little crazy as you show them how these 300 lapped their water. But they will remember the verse. Just make sure you make the application that goes with it.
So, are you lapping or kneeling? Are you allowing the Lord to direct you and chose you? Are you alert for the enemies around you or are you looking down and unaware? These are great questions to get you thinking about your circumstance.
Do you think Gideon was concerned about the Lord’s tactics? Perhaps, but the Lord gave him specific instructions for the battle. He basically said to Gideon, “Do it my way and you will be victorious.” He is still saying that today.
A Moment In Time 