Fighting in the Dark

It happened on the same night that the LORD said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand” . . . Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. (Judges 7:9 and 16, NKJV)

Gideon was a reluctant leader because he did not feel up to the task God was calling him to perform. God desired Gideon to lead an army against the Midianites. Although he began with 32,000 men, God said that was too many. Eventually, after God reduced their numbers, Gideon had only 300 men left to fight. This was not a great military strategy but it was a great “God strategy.” No one would be able to deny that deliverance came from the hand of the Lord, not by the efforts of men.

As if having only 300 men wasn’t scary enough, they were heading into battle with a very unique type of weaponry. Each man was equipped with a trumpet and a pitcher with a torch inside. If they came out of this battle victoriously, it would not be because of their own fighting skills. It would be because God fought for them.

Nighttime fighting

Israel attacked during the night hours. The Bible identifies the time as during the second watch of the night. To help us understand, ancient Israel divided the night hours into three four-hour watches. (Later, they used the Roman system of four watches.) The second, or middle, watch spanned the hours between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM. Gideon led his men into battle in the hours just before midnight at the changing of the guard. Most of the Midianites would be sleeping.

Gideon divided his 300 men into three groups and strategically placed them around the enemy’s camp. When the Israelites blew their trumpets and broke their pitchers to reveal the lights, the enemy assumed they were surrounded by a vast army. In their panic, they swung their swords and struck their own men as they began to flee.

“When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled . . .” (Verse 22)

God works night shift

Fighting in the dark may not have sounded logical to Gideon’s men, but God works the day shift and the nights shift. He is always available to meet our needs, even at the midnight hour. The Bible records numerous times when God chose those dark hours of the night to demonstrate His power on behalf of His people.

If the night seems dark and the enemy seems strong, do not let fear overwhelm you. When God is on our side, battles will be won in those dark hours of the night.

• “One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the LORD your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.” (Joshua 23:10, ESV)

• “Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:5-6, ESV)

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk