|Judge whose small force won a victory using jars, torches, and
Gideon was threshing when God called him
Gideon was called to be a leader during the Period of the Judges.
Israel was being invaded by the Midianites, who came from the east on
camels. To see if God would deliver Israel by his hand, Gideon placed
a fleece of wool on the ground. He asked that there be dew on the
fleece, but that the ground would be dry. This sign occurred and
Gideon prepared for battle. God told him to reduce the number of
his men by having them drink from a stream. Those who drank directly
from the stream were sent home and those who scooped water in their hands
were kept. Each warrior was given a trumpet, a jar, and a torch.
At the signal they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Thrown
into confusion, the Midianites fled before Gideon's men. After the victory,
people asked Gideon to be their ruler, but he refused the honor.
- Sign of the fleece
- Victory over Midian