Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.”

So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. 25 They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan. (NIV)

Although the Lord used 300 soldiers to win the battle, 300 couldn’t pursue thousands of enemy soldiers, and so Gideon issued a call for volunteers to come out and help. No doubt many of the men who had earlier been sent home were among those who responded. Note: you may feel you have ‘shot your bolt’, missed your opportunity. But it isn’t over until it’s over. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Maybe you can still make a contribution. Be alert to the opportunities coming your way this day.

As we come to the end of chapter 7, let’s remember the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:7, where there may indeed be an allusion to the story of Gideon and the reduced army:

”But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

‘Gideon’s great victory over the Midianites became a landmark event in the history of Israel, not unlike the Battle of Waterloo for Great Britain, for it reminded the Jews of God’s power to deliver them from their enemies. The day of Midian was a great day that Israel would never forget (Ps.83:11; Isa.9:4; 10:26).’ Warren Wiersbe

I was at the same table as two ladies who were talking about a particular occurrence. One said to the other, ‘That were a God thing were that!’

The victory over Midian was undoubtedly a ‘God thing’!