Meaning of Judges 7:5

This verse from Judges 7:5 describes a pivotal moment in Gideon's campaign against the Midianites, where the Lord employs a peculiar and seemingly arbitrary method to reduce Gideon's army from over thirty thousand men to a mere three hundred. The instruction to separate those who "lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps" from those who "kneel down to drink" was not about a physical characteristic, but a behavioral one designed to identify a specific mindset. This selective process was not about judging the individuals' inherent worth, but about discerning a particular attitude of alertness, vigilance, and dependence on God for victory, rather than relying on brute strength or conventional military tactics. The Lord's intention was to ensure that Israel would know the victory was His alone, not a product of human prowess, thereby glorifying His name.

Context and Background

Gideon, a fearful and unlikely hero, was called by the Lord to deliver Israel from the oppressive Midianites. Initially, Gideon expressed doubt and requested signs to confirm God's calling. After receiving divine assurance, he gathered a large army. However, the Lord, seeing the immense size of the army, declared that such a large force would lead Israel to believe they had saved themselves by their own strength. Therefore, a rigorous selection process was initiated, first by allowing those who were afraid to leave (which resulted in twenty-two thousand men departing), and then by this water-drinking test. The Midianites, by contrast, were described as being like locusts in their vast numbers, making Gideon's task seem insurmountable.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty and Intervention: The primary message is that God is in control of all situations, including warfare and the outcome of battles. He orchestrates events to demonstrate His power and faithfulness.
• The Importance of a Discerned Mindset: The distinction between the lappers and the kneelers highlights the value of a vigilant, attentive, and ready disposition. Those who lapped were likely more aware of their surroundings, quicker to react, and less complacent than those who knelt to drink, which was a more relaxed and prolonged posture.
• Reliance on God, Not Human Strength: The reduction of Gideon's army to a minuscule force underscores the principle that victory comes from God, not from numbers or military might. This ensures that all glory is attributed to Him.
• Obedience to God's Instructions: Gideon's willingness to follow these seemingly strange commands is a testament to his growing faith and obedience.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this passage speaks to the nature of discipleship and readiness for spiritual warfare. The "lappers" can be seen as those who are alert to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, constantly aware of the spiritual battles around them, and quick to respond to God's call to action. They are not complacent or overly comfortable, but rather maintain a posture of vigilance and dependence on God. The "kneelers" might represent those who are more passive, perhaps seeking comfort or resting in their own perceived strength, thus being less attuned to divine guidance. The application is to cultivate a spiritual alertness, to be ever-watchful, and to rely entirely on God for spiritual victories, rather than on our own strategies or resources.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a classic example of God choosing the weak and few to demonstrate His strength, a recurring theme throughout Scripture. From the selection of David as king over his older brothers, to the disciples chosen by Jesus, God often bypasses the conventionally powerful and selects those who are humble and dependent on Him. This narrative also foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on the spiritual transformation that occurs through Christ, where believers are empowered by the Spirit to overcome spiritual opposition, often in seemingly impossible circumstances. The principle of God working through the unlikely and the few to achieve His purposes is a foundational element of the biblical story.

Analogies

• The Watchman: A watchman on a city wall must be alert and vigilant, ready to sound the alarm at the first sign of danger. He cannot afford to be complacent or to "kneel" in relaxation.
• The Soldier on Duty: A soldier on active duty, especially in a combat zone, must remain alert and ready for action at all times. He cannot afford to be in a relaxed, kneeling posture when there is potential threat.
• The Student Preparing for an Exam: A diligent student who is truly committed to learning will be constantly reviewing notes, asking questions, and staying engaged, rather than passively attending lectures and hoping to absorb information without effort.

Relation to Other Verses

• 1 Samuel 14:6: Jonathan's declaration, "Nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few," directly echoes the principle demonstrated in Gideon's story.
• 1 Corinthians 1:27-29: Paul writes, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." This passage explicitly articulates the theological underpinning of God's method of selecting Gideon's army.
• Matthew 24:42: Jesus commands, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." This highlights the New Testament call to constant spiritual vigilance.
• Ephesians 6:10-18: The description of spiritual armor and warfare emphasizes the need for alertness and reliance on God's strength in the face of spiritual adversaries.