Q5. Lappers and Kneelers

[Alicea]

Q5. What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

I have heard sermons about this many times. Some say that one showed tht they were were more aware than others because they were looking around and keeping alert instead of just taking care of their immediate needs. I think God used it as a means to cut down the number of men with Gideon.

[Commissioned]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

The

[Letmein]

Hi, this post is very informative; however I would like some specific information. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,

[Craig]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

I see no overwhelming significance at all. You can spiritualize this selection or form your own subjective opinion.

[Brendamay]

I cannot find what the significance was, or was there a reason ?, Perhaps God was reducing the numbers. so that everyone would know that it was God that helped win the battle against the Midenites.

[HPT]

My immediate thought was that the kneelers were greedy and thought only of their own needs. They weren't concerned for the safety of the Army as they made themselves vulnerable by positioning themselves so as not to be able to get up quickly and fight.

[Nina]

The kneelers seemed to indulge in what satisfied their human need. As Christians, we many times do the same and neglect the spiritual warfare that we need to be focusing on. The lappers on the other hand were fulfilling their need but at the same time were prepared for a battled that should come. They would not be overcome by being unaware of what was going on around them. We must be alert and prepared as the lappers.

[JustJeff]

God knew how many men He wanted and He knew who would lap the water, the 300.

[masika]

Q5. What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers

God Has His way of doing things

God does not depend on large numbers of people

to accomplish His goals.

All spiritual victories occur because of God's

power, not our power.

We should always be ready to provide assistance to

those who are fighting the Lord's battles.

[Jezemeg]

When a man laps water from a river with his tongue (as dogs and animals do) it renders him susceptible to attack at that precise stage. It is necessary for him to put any weapons down, and requires him to have to both rise and gather his weapons to him should there be a surprise attack. If a man lifts the water from the river to his lips by way of his hand, then he has his weapon still at his side and is more able to respond should there be a surprise attack from the enemy. The fact that they kneel to drink in this way also decreases the response time they need to rise and engage in battle if need be.

While it could be said that those who did not prostrate themselves and leave themselves exposed to attack whilst drinking were less experienced than those who knelt and 'lapped' the water, the nation of Israel could still not claim that the strength of their army was what gave them victory. Of course the final choice were the more experienced of the soldiers, but the odds were still firmly stacked against the Israelites, God would be glorified as a result of the victory, confirming once more to the Israelites that were now residing in the Promised Land that God was truly with them.

[Don W]

Actually, none at all even though I, too, have heard several sermons on this indicating that the so-called

[sahala p.s.]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

I think the selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers" is the selecting that is not related with the matter of virtue, but it is a God

[brotherbill]

I am thinking that in a community that had so many ritual cleansings and purifications, to put your face to the water and "lap" it up like a dog might make you somewhat of an undesirable or at least kind of heathenistic to others. The ones who brought the water to their mouth with their hands might have seemed the "best" soldiers as they were always on guard even while getting a drink.

So God settled on 300 of the least likely soldiers for Gideon to lead into this battle. Once again proving himself strong on behalf of his people.

So there are no doubt as to who is God! Let us never doubt as well.

God Bless!

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

[Robin D]

I'm not sure I get the significance. I know it was God's instructions, so there must be a purpose. Perhaps God wanted the army's size so small that there wouldn't be any question as to who was responsible for overtaking the Midianites. They would have to give God the glory.

[Barbara1]

The kneelers had their face in the water while the lappers were upright and could see what was going on around them.

[paulcrf]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

Drinking from the hands is more refined or appropriate way of putting something into our mouth. It allows you to choose the clean water to take unlike drinking directly(kneeling) from the river. Besides, our hands were made to assist the mouth. That's the purpose of God in giving us five fingers and wide palms.

Our behavior is the reflection of our heart. Kneelers behave like animals. Drinking directly with our mouth is not appropriate for a man. God is concerned with what is inside our heart than what other see from outside.

[josephh]

The lappers it seems took and drank only what was needed to quinch their thirst before battle, they lived hand to mouth. The kneelers consumed more than needed, they drank till their bellies were full and were not as focused on the battle.

[Jen]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

Matthew Henry says "These men" (the lappers) lapped up water like a dog because they were after the Midianites and not after the water. They will drink after the battle is over." God know men and their hearts and He knows how to fight the battles. He knows how to weed out what will hinder His plans and purposes.

God Bless!

Jen

Numbers 6:24-26

[Loisb]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

The lappers were alert of any danger or attacks, while the kneelers seemed to be comfortable that they were safe instead of in a battle.

[Pamela Harms]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

This was an army to fight. God was looking for people who was willing to put the flesh down, be hasty to do what God has called them to do. He wanted hardy people who would rely on Him for their refreshment. "Lappers" drink and go, not thinking of the next drink.

Kneelers may tend to take their time, delay the process and procrastinate, being disobedient in the end.

[marca]

I don't see significance in choosing lappers over kneelers. It appears to me that God has chosen this random method for picking the army just because it has so little to do with the victory. It's just a way of using simple things to confound the wise and give everyone no choice but to say the battle was won by God. If there was a significance, wouldn't that just be another form of men trying to take the glory for the battle from God?

[rhfrost]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon,

[rhfrost]

<!--quoteo(post=638:date=Jan 24 2003, 05:23 PM:name=Pastor Ralph)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pastor Ralph @ Jan 24 2003, 05:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=638"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think the selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers" is the selecting that is not related with the matter of virtue, but it is a God

[rhfrost]

<!--quoteo(post=638:date=Jan 24 2003, 01:23 PM:name=Pastor Ralph)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pastor Ralph @ Jan 24 2003, 01:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=638"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The lappers were alert of any danger or attacks, while the kneelers seemed to be comfortable that they were safe instead of in a battle.

Praise the Lord. Accepting God's Grace is the first item to the blind faith we seek and not the physical entitelment, or que sera sera happen stance of luck of life.

[JanMary]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

This is just a thought, but this was a war situation requiring stealth. The Midianites were nearby and known for their ruthless and surprise attacks, which could come at any minute. Those who lapped were able to drink while looking around them, and still able to hold a weapon in one hand, and displayed more alertness, perhaps.

Those who knelt were more vulnerable to attack with their eyes focused on the stream requiring both hands for balance totally absorbed in the task of drinking, their backs exposed and defenseless.

It may have been neither of those, and just God's way of eliminating men since He knows the future and knew which men would lap and which would kneel, to arrive at the 300 number He wished for the battle to insure that the Israelites knew it was He who gave the victory/deliverance....not the strength of their army nor the skill of their leader, Gideon.