Lesson 78: Judges 7:20
Judges 7:20
The Blueprint — The Verse
The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
Gideon's army faced Midianite forces camped in the Jezreel Valley, a strategic breadbasket of Israel. Night attacks with torches and trumpets exploited ancient warfare psychology—confusion and fear in darkness.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
God reduced Gideon's troops to three hundred to ensure Israel would not boast in its own strength. At Gideon's signal they broke jars, raised torches, and shouted, routing a vastly larger enemy.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Judges 7:19
19Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Judges 7:19) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Judges 7:21
21While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Judges 7:21) to continue the passage.
Discussion
- Why does God sometimes win battles through weakness?
- What 'jars' must break for God's light to shine?
- How do you give credit to the LORD in your victories?