Gideon Instructs Three Companies for the Night Attack

The three hundred are positioned to approach the large Midianite camp at night in the valley.

The Lord has reduced the force to prevent Israel from boasting and has reassured Gideon through an enemy dream. This passage prepares a coordinated night signal; the following unit narrates the horn blasts, broken jars, visible torches, the fleeing camp, and the Lord turning enemy swords. Preparation should not be confused with the decisive action that follows.

The three hundred prepare a coordinated signal, but the coming victory remains the Lord's promised work.

Understanding the Big Idea

After worshiping and returning to his men, Gideon divides the three hundred into three companies. He gives them horns, empty jars, and torches inside the jars. He instructs them to watch and copy his signal at the edge of Midian's camp, then to sound the horns around the camp and shout for the Lord and for Gideon.

To narrate Gideon's concrete plan and commands to the reduced force immediately after he hears the enemy dream and worships.

This is a historical battle signal and formation, not a pattern for announcing the gospel. The gospel proclaims Christ's death for sins and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4); its message must not be recast as a military shout or a technique using horns and torches.

1. How does Gideon divide the three hundred?
2. What does each man receive?
3. What action does Gideon tell the others to copy?
4. Where are the groups to sound their horns, and what will they shout?
5. How does the Lord's purpose in 7:2 shape our reading of Gideon's name in the shout?
6. What part of the actual victory is still to be narrated?