Q1. Battle Strategy

[haar]

Q1. (Judges 7:16-22)

Q. Why does Gideon divide his army into three companies?

A. For strategy so that 300 (three hundred) soldiers will spread round the huge army of the enemy given the enemy of a large military surrounding them.

Q. What is the strategy with the trumpets, the empty jars, and the torches?

A. This is another strategy to cause fear to the enemy because of the combination of the different sounds and lightening wil create an impression that they were surrounded by a huge army.

 Q. Why did this strategy work?

A. It worked because it was destined to work as ordained by God for the desired victory.
 

[Jesus Follower]

On 1/31/2003 at 10:05 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (Judges 7:16-22) Why does Gideon divide his army into three companies? What is the strategy with the trumpets, the empty jars, and the torches? Why did this strategy work?

To be able to attack from multiple different directions.

The trumpets usually were used to direct a large group of soldiers. So 300 trumpets sounding made it seem like a big army. The empty jars disguised the torches until the right time, and made a tremendous noise when broken. Causing lots of confusion. The torches suddenly in the night made it seem like the Midianites were surrounded.  Because God made it.  It worked perfectly because God caused them to be confused and terrified and turn on themselves.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

• It was God that gave Gideon instructions after the 4 signs that God was the one to give the victory.  A divine appointment indeed !   Gideon  had unarmed soldiers, bearing trumpets, pitchers and torches.
• A strategy par excellence. The dismay that Gideon created and the conf usion in the Midianite camp secured him victory. Christ requires us to be wise and harmless (Matthew 10:16). Gideon was a man that knew the signs of the times like tribe of Issachar.  The dividing the 301 men into 3 separate camps, surrounding the Midianites and the breaking of empty pitchers with smoldering torches uttering the battle cry--in the middle of the nite--startled the Midianites.    Those working nite shift can testify that a need for deep sleep occurs .  The watchmen of the first watch were in deep sleep while the middle watch was on duty.

[Krissi]

Gideon's ruse was to pretend to have more troops than he had, by approaching at night and making sounds and light that suggested many more soldiers than actually existed. God had reduced his soldiers to a mere 300 -- he could have had more, but didn't. This may be to prove to Gideon and the Israelites that God Himself was backing them up.

His ruse was to pretend to be better than he was. The confusion happened subsequently. Gideon didn't aim to confuse but to deceive. I can understand the blowing of the shofar (very loud) and bringing light in a circle around the city, but really don't understand the breaking of jars. What did that accomplish?  Is it symbolic?

God's ways are not ours. Gideon wasn't really asked to fight, but to deceive -- other men are asked by God to fight in the traditional way. This was God's inexplicable will in this particular situation.

The take-away, for me, is that God may ask me to do something totally bizarre and irrational rather than follow the predictable path, and that I must obey without flinching or questioning. I  hope I hear His voice correctly!

 

 

[Irmela]

Q1. (Judges 7:16-22)

Why does Gideon divide his army into three companies?

When the men are divided in three companies they give the impression of a very much larger group.  If it was all just from one side they would be easily overcome , when from three sides it is difficult to decide where the people actually are and which ones to go for to attack.  It sure gives the impression that the attack is from all sides and no knowing how big the enemy army actually is.

What is the strategy with the trumpets, the empty jars, and the torches?

The blast from one trumpet is already loud.  From 300 trumpets it is deafening.  That would bring fear and total confusion as to deciding from which direction the blast came.  Also that would bring questions to mind as to the size of the army.  If the trumpet blowers are so many to create that kind of noise how many other soldiers are there?  They definitely did not suspect only trumpet blowers.  A huge army was envisioned.  

The jars were first used to hide the torches until the right time came for the light to be exposed, surrounding the enemy camp.  Then the jars were broken to create a loud noise yet again confusing the enemy into thinking that it was a huge group.  The noise from all sides and the lights held high sure had the desired effect on the Midianites.  It induced fear and panic and in that frame of mind brought about chaos par excellence.

Why did this strategy work?

This strategy worked because it was God's plan and Gideon was careful to follow His direction completely.  It pays to be obedient.  

[ShariRose]

Q1. (Judges 7:16-22) Why does Gideon divide his army into three companies? What is the strategy with the trumpets, the empty jars, and the torches? Why did this strategy work?

Gideon divided his army so that they could "surround" the camp.  The trumpets, empty jars and torches would make the Midianites think a large army had surrounded them.  Normally, one trumpet would accompany one company of soldiers.  300 trumpets would indicate a huge army.  Arriving at night, emptying jars and displaying torches added an element of surprise and shock.  It worked well.  The Midianites panicked, turned on one another and fled.  Israel was able to capture leftover Midianites.