The Angel of the Lord appeared to a Jewish man named Gideon. At first Gideon did not realize that this Angel of the Lord, who appeared to him as a man, was really God Himself. He told Gideon that he would save Israel from the Midianites. That night the Lord spoke to Gideon again and told him to tear down his father's idols and to build an alter to the Lord. Gideon obeyed.
Then Gideon gathered many men together to go to war against the Midianites. Gideon prayed to God, saying, "If You will save Israel by my hand as You have promised, then make this fleece of wool wet with dew and the ground all around it dry." The next morning the ground was dry and the wool was so wet that he was able to wring out a bowl full of water. Gideon prayed again, "Lord do not be angry with me, this time make the ground wet with dew but keep the wool dry." The next morning God did as Gideon prayed.
Gideon led the men toward the Midianite army. The Lord spoke to Gideon saying, "You have too many men, send everyone who is afraid home." When Gideon gave the men the opportunity to go home 22,000 left and only 10,000 remained. Then the Lord said to Gideon, "You still have too many men. Take them down to the water and every one who kneels down to drink send home and with those who grab the water with their hands will I deliver the Midianites into your hands." Only 300 men were left by this time. The Midianite army had over 100,000 men.
Gideon told every man to hold his shofar in one hand and a torch inside a pitcher in the other hand. He told them, "When you hear me blow my shofar, you blow yours, and then break your pitchers so that the torches shine." Gideon blew his trumpet and all the people followed, smashing their pitchers and shouting, "the sword of the LORD and of Gideon." The Lord sent confusion into the camp of the Midianites, causing them to kill each other and run from Gideon's army. Thus the LORD freed the children of Israel from the power of the Midianites.
Sometimes we think our resources are low. We don't have enough money, or manpower, but we need to remember that nothing is impossible for God. When we are on God's side we have more than we need.
