The 2007 movie 300 was loosely based on the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. On a thin strip of land between the mountains and the ocean, 7,000 Greeks led by King Leonidas of Sparta and his 300 crack troops temporarily held off the Persian army and their hundreds of thousands of soldiers (some even say millions). The outnumbered Greeks lost that battle but they did such damage to the Persian army that they were forced to withdraw from Greece just a year later. I didn’t see the movie but I did see the posters and wondered if ancient Spartan warriors were really as ripped as the actors on the set of 300. If Spartans were such tough guys, I can see how just a few of them were able to compete against a superior force.
300 could also have been the title of our sermon today as we contemplate Gideon’s guerillas and their fight against the Midianites. Only 300 wasn’t the number of elite troops fighting the battle, it was the total number of soldiers Gideon led against 135,000. That’s odds of 450 to 1! You know the outcome of the battle. Gideon’s guerillas didn’t just inflict heavy losses, they won. Why? Because they were ripped? Because Gideon was a military genius? No. Israel didn’t conquer because they had a few good men; they triumphed because they had one good Lord. As we continue our sermon series on Gideon we’re going to find out how this victory will give us strength for the battles we face.
Last week we learned how God commanded Gideon to destroy his father’s shrine to the Canaanite god, Baal. Gideon, the warrior, obeyed God’s directive but showed himself to be a bit of a worrier by doing the deed at night for fear of what his father and others would say. As it turned out, the townspeople would have killed Gideon for what he had done had Gideon’s father not come to his son’s defense.
How pleased Gideon must have been to gain an ally. But he would need more than his dad to help him in his fight against the dreaded Midianites. In fact our text begins on the ominous note that the Midianites and their allies had set up camp in the Valley of Jezreel. Jezreel was in the middle of Israel and was the bread basket of the country. How had 135,000 troops and their camels marched unhindered there? That would be like a foreign army marching into Saskatchewan or Kansas and setting up a fort without having to fire a single shot! That’s how weak and timid the Israelites were…until something happened to Gideon.
At that moment, says our text, the Holy Spirit came upon Gideon. Emboldened by the Spirit’s presence, Gideon blew a call to battle on his shofar (a ram’s horn). Would anyone rally to Gideon besides his dad? Amazingly the Abiezrites did. These were the very same people who had wanted to lynch Gideon for tearing down Baal’s altar. Now they were ready to fight alongside of Gideon. Apparently the Holy Spirit had worked a change in their hearts too. Then others from the tribe of Manasseh came. And then men from the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali also showed up. In all 32,000 men rallied to Gideon the warrior.
But before they went charging into battle, Gideon the worrier wanted some assurance that God was really going to be with them and give them the victory. And so Gideon asked for a sign with that wet fleece/dry ground, and dry fleece/wet ground thing. God assented and did what Gideon asked. What does that tell you about God? It tells you that he is patient and graciously bears with weak faith. We’ll return to this thought.
32,000 troops was a start but what was that against 135,000? If Gideon thought God was going to bolster his chances of winning by putting up a few recruitment posters around Israel, he was mistaken. Instead God said to Gideon, “You have too many men. Tell anyone who is afraid to go home.” It probably didn’t take long before someone stood up and walked away. And then a couple more did. And then, as Gideon watched with what must have been horror, it turned into a stampede. Men were practically tripping over themselves to get out of there. Clearly they viewed fighting the Midianites as a suicide mission. In all 22,000, or 70% of the army left before a single arrow had been fired.
Were the remaining men discouraged? Not necessarily. With all the scaredy-cats gone they may have even felt stronger than before. No, 10,000 vs. 135,000 hardly seemed like a fair fight but with the right strategy and a freedom fighter’s zeal they could take on the Midianites and perhaps inflict enough damage that the raiders might go home. Stranger things had happened on the battlefield.
But those hopes were dashed when God declared: “You still have too many men, Gideon.” Was God kidding? No. And so he directed Gideon to take his troops to a creek where he would whittle the force down for him. Did they have a skills competition there? Did they shoot arrows at targets and wrestle along the banks of the creek to see who were the best of the best? No. God sifted the troops based on how they drank water. Imagine the Oilers holding open tryouts and deciding who makes the team based on who prefers tea over coffee! It’s no wonder God said to Gideon, “If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go” (Judges 7:4b). In other words, “Gideon, I may send home some of your best archers and keep the guys who don’t know the difference between a bow and an arrow. That’s OK. Just trust me on this.” Trust is what all Gideon was really left with because when God was done, Gideon had 300 men - men who were not crack troops or even seasoned warriors. It would take an act of God now to secure victory against 135,000. And that was the point. God confirmed it when he told Gideon that had 32,000 fought the battle and won, the victory hymns would have proclaimed Gideon’s outstanding leadership skills and the bravery of the 32,000. Not much, if anything, would have been said about God (Judges 7:2).
God still operates the same way with us in regard to salvation. When we read in the Bible that God expects us to be holy if we want to get into heaven, we feel like the 32,000 facing the 135,000. The odds are stacked against us, and yet…well, don’t we do some pretty holy things at least some of the time? Haven’t we done more good than evil? Don’t we still have a fighting chance here? But then God clarifies his position when he says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do…[what is] written in the Book of the Law” (Galatians 3:10). God demands a constant, not sporadic, obedience to his law. No getting drunk because it’s your birthday. No cheating on a test because you were too sick to study. And now we feel like we’re among the 10,000 facing the 135,000. We’re really going to have to step it up if we want to get to heaven. But then God crushes that resolve when he says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law” (Galatians 3:10). Gulp. Everything? Even love the classmate who picks on me? Even forgive those who abused me? Yes! And now we feel like the 300 facing the 135,000. “This is impossible. It would take an act of God for us to get into heaven!” And that’s just the point. What is impossible for us, God accomplished when he acted as both general and foot soldier to win our salvation. At the cross he sent his Son into the teeth of his fierce anger over our sins. Then he raised his Son from the dead and sent him to storm the gates of hell leaving the devil and his minions powerless like so many dead Midianites. Having been delivered out of the hands of sin, death, and the devil we can only confess: “Not unto us, not unto us be glory, Lord…but to your name all honor be giv’n for matchless mercy, forgiveness, and grace” (CW 392:1).
God also operates in our daily lives as he operated in Gideon’s life. Sometimes God allows a situation where the odds are stacked against us 4 to 1. So we wrestle with it trying to defeat it with our grit, will, and wisdom. But the odds only get worse. So we redouble our efforts but that leaves us exhausted, gasping for air, and feeling that the odds are now at least 450 to 1. If those are the odds you feel you’re facing this morning in regard to finding a decent job, being a good parent, or getting over a nagging illness, take heart: it’s at times like these that God likes to step in and say, “Now watch this. I will prove to you that I have been with you and am fighting for you.” (Previous six paragraphs adapted from sermon by Paul Rutschow.)
But really, does God care? Is he even there? Those kind of thoughts must have gone through Gideon’s mind as he stood dazed on the parade ground. 32,000 had once stood shoulder to shoulder with him but in a matter of hours Gideon had lost 94% of his fighting force. What would you think if overnight our 90-member congregation was reduced to 5? Would there be a point to continuing the fight? Not without God. But God was with Gideon. In fact he went out of his way (again) to assure Gideon of this truth. He told Gideon to take his servant and eavesdrop on the enemy. The two Israelites managed to get into position just as a Midianite sentry was telling his buddy about a dream he had - a dream in which a barley loaf rolled down the hill and smashed into a Midianite tent. “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite,” exclaimed the friend. “God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands” (Judges 7:14). What I want to know is how did the Midianite sentry know Gideon by name? Gideon hadn’t fought any battles yet. How encouraging it was for Gideon to hear that the victory would indeed be his. And so he worshipped. Right then and there, Gideon thanked God for his grace and patience. Oh that we would more readily thank God when he strengthens our faith with heartening news.
But do we ever receive specific encouragement like Gideon did? Does God ever call and encourage us by name? He does. In baptism God called you by name and made you his. And then every other week he assures you personally of his presence with something more tangible than a dream. In Holy Communion God gives you his Son’s body and blood for forgiveness and strengthening. Don’t be a worrier. God is with you and is fighting for you.
Encouraged by the latest intelligence, Gideon, no longer the worrier but now ever the warrior, returned to camp and readied his troops for battle. He gave each man a torch hidden in a jar, and a shofar. At Gideon’s signal they were to break the jars, hold high the torches with their left hands, and grasp their trumpets with the right. With both of their hands thus occupied they could not hold bow and arrow or even a sword. The opening attack was to be an onslaught of light and sound. God used this seemingly foolish tactic to throw the Midianites into confusion so that 22,000 died from friendly fire while the rest fled only to be tracked down and killed.
If God could accomplish all this with 300 rag-tag warriors, what can he accomplish with a congregation like St. Peter’s? Don’t think we’re big enough to do much? Don’t think we’re gifted enough or have enough money? Do you suppose we need a better pastor, staff minister, and council to get things going? God doesn’t. In fact he delights in working through weak sinners like us to accomplish his will. He proved it with Gideon’s guerillas. I’m sure none of them were muscled like the actors on the set of 300 and really all they did was make a little noise and shine a little light. Isn’t that what God has called us to do – to make a little noise with his Word and to shine the light of his love to others? Yes. And through this God will win victories, not so that we can feel good about ourselves, but so that God may be glorified. And he will be glorified – with or without us. Don’t be one of the 22,000 who goes home. Stick around with the 300 for a front row seat to see what amazing victories God will win in your life and in the life of the church. Amen.
Children’s Devotion Idea
Needed: 2 pieces of paper that are the same size; 450 marbles in a Ziploc bag; 107 marbles in a clear vase or bowl; an empty paper bag to pour marbles into.
Hi Kids,
I have a riddle for you. What gets stronger as it gets smaller? (Invite responses.) Those are some good ideas but let me show you what I’m thinking about. (Take out a piece of paper.) Can any of you tear this paper? Of course you can. Go ahead. (Child tears sheet.) That was pretty easy. Even a baby can tear paper! (Take out second piece of paper.) But what would happen if we made this piece of paper smaller? Would it be just as easy to tear? Let’s find out. (Fold the paper as many times as you can.) Now do you think you can still tear this paper? (Hand it around and let the kids try.) That’s amazing isn’t it? (My group of kids was astounded, seriously, jaw-dropping-astounded that they couldn’t tear the folded paper. It was great!) This paper got stronger as it got smaller. Normally things get weaker as they get smaller – like armies.
But in today’s sermon we’re going to hear how God made an army stronger by making it smaller! Yeah. God told Gideon to fight 135,000 Midianites. Let’s represent them with these 450 marbles. But Gideon only had 32,000 soldiers to start (get out bowl with 107 marbles). Does that look like a fair fight? It doesn’t seem too bad does it? But the Israelites were outnumbered 4 to 1 (take out four “Midianite” marbles and hold them in one hand while you hold one “Israelite” marble in the other). We could make it a fair fight if we added more marbles to the Israelite army. But that isn’t what God did. Instead God told Gideon to send all of his soldiers home until only 300 remained (as you say this, pour our all the Israelite marbles except for one into the empty paper bag where they will be out of sight). Now the odds were 450 to 1. That’s not a fair fight is it? There’s no way the Israelites were going to win, were they? Ah, but God was fighting for them. And so it didn’t matter how many Midianites there were (as you say this, crash the Ziploc bag into the bowl containing the lone “Israelite” marble a few times), God surrounded the Israelites with his love and protection (you could draw a smiley face or the word “God” on the bowl as you say this but I think the kids will get the point without it). In fact thanks to God, the few Israelites defeated the many Midianites.
Why do you think God made Gideon’s army smaller? I’ll tell you why: because he wanted the Israelites to realize that God had given them the victory. In the same way when it comes to salvation, God doesn’t want us to rely on ourselves but on him. In fact God often lets difficulty come into our lives so that we are forced to rely on him and acknowledge that he is the one who protects and saves us. I want you to listen closely for these thoughts when I preach the sermon…
