# Day 81

# Gideon’s Tiny Army

Judges 7:2–15

The Lord told Gideon, “Your army is too large. People will say, ‘We won the victory by our own power.’ Send home those who are afraid.” Twenty-two thousand went away. Ten thousand stayed to fight.

Then the Lord said, “There are still too many troops. Take them to drink at the spring. Some will lap the water with their tongues. Others will kneel and scoop water with their hands.”

Three hundred men lapped up the water. The rest scooped the water. “I’ll use the three hundred that lapped to defeat Midian,” God said. “The others may leave.”

That night God told him, “Go to the enemy camp. You’ll hear what they’re saying. This will help you in the fight.”

At Midian’s enormous camp, Gideon heard a soldier tell another his dream. “I dreamed a loaf of bread tumbled into our camp. It hit the tent and knocked it down.” Then the other said, “This is the sword of Gideon. God has given us all to him.”

Gideon was glad to hear that Midian was afraid. He thanked God, returned to camp, and prepared for battle.

Questions: Why did God send away some of Gideon’s army? How many soldiers were in Gideon’s army?