In the book of Judges, chapters 6, 7, and 8 the Israelites are warring over the Promised Land, and God tells Gideon, an Israelite leader, to thin his ranks of 10,000 men.
Gideon sends home any soldier that brings the water to his lips with his hands. He keeps only the soldiers who lap up water with their tongues.
I first heard this from my third grade teacher as some sort of lesson, like I was supposed to understand it. I read it recently in the "Blogging the Bible" series by David Plotz at Slate. I still don't get it. Do any of you?
2006-12-14 18:00:39 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's a spiritual thing, not a physical thing. God thinned it down to 300. He wanted them to depend on His strength and not theirs.
2006-12-14 18:03:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God wanted to show Gideon that its not by power and not by might but by His spirit. If Gideon had gone to war with all of the people that had gathered, he would have given thanks to God for the victory but the notion would have been that they had won on the basis over military might. But in this case the war was won with just a few poeple for God to get all the glory and for the children of Israel to put all their trust in Jehovah. Also note that God does not usually deal in the majority but he uses the minority to do his works. Shadrach Micheck and Abednigo were cast in the fire in Babylon. Where where the other Jews at this time? They were just three of them against the whole nation but God delivered them. The lesson that we learn here is that no matter what the odds are God will always see us through. When the enemy comes in like a flood God will always raise the standard.
2006-12-14 18:18:12 · answer #2 · answered by Gre2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Israelites could in no way say that they won the victory with only that number of men. Also, the men who lapped with their tongues had their eyes down. Your question has it backwards, I think. He fought with the ones (300) who drank from their hands. Judges 7:5-7. It was an issue of being prepared, or watchful. God loves watchmen. If your face is in the water or you are on your knees to drink, you are not watching or ready to do battle.
2006-12-14 18:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by Pastor John 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Gideon was chosen as leader, he questioned God as he said he was the least of men in Israel and from his father's house. Yet God prevailed unto Gideon and the men who lapped water like a dog were picked because we would think of them lesser than we would men who drank water like we do. The lesson we learn from this is that God calls upon us all and just because there are those who think less of you or that you are below normal does not mean that you will succeed if you have the belief and tenacity
2006-12-14 18:07:27 · answer #4 · answered by devora k 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's the other way around. I once heard that the ones who brought it up to their mouths could drink and watch for the enemy at the same time. The ones who got down and drank it up like a dog would be completely unaware of what's going on around them. That's just something I've heard over the years. I'm sure it's just one speculation though.
2006-12-14 18:08:18 · answer #5 · answered by kerri s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I remember correctly, he was to keep the ones who kept their eyes up and not the ones who looked down at the water.....
Makes sense to me.....
If one is out to war... Even the Chinese can tell you, "Always keep eye on opponent"....... It is a matter of staying focussed....
Your sister,
Ginger
2006-12-14 18:09:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋