Judges 7:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to them, "Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do.

NIV: "Watch me," he told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do.

NASB: Then he said to them, 'Look at me and do likewise. And behold, when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do.

CSB: "Watch me," he said to them, "and do what I do. When I come to the outpost of the camp, do as I do.

NLT: Then he said to them, 'Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do.

KJV: And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.

NKJV: And he said to them, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do:

Gideon is giving instructions to his 300 men about how they will attack the Midianite camp in the valley below (Judges 7:1) He has given to each a ram's horn trumpet and a clay pitcher with a torch inside of it (Judges 7:16). Now he tells them to look at him and do as he does; this probably means Gideon was demonstrating what he wanted the men to do when he gives the signal. They will take positions all around the outskirts of the Midianite camp (Judges 7:18). When he blows his trumpet, smashes his pitcher, and shouts, they should do the same.

As the following passage demonstrates, this surprise "attack" will have devastating results. It will throw the enemy into a panic and result in a complete victory for Israel (Judges 7:19–23).

Judges 7:1–18 begins with Gideon and his large company of Israelite volunteers setting up camp in the hills just a few miles from the Midianite camp in the valley below. God gives Gideon two tests to reduce the number of his troops until only 300 are left. God tells Gideon to spy on the Midianite camp, where he overhears a conversation which bolsters his faith. Gideon returns to his camp and prepares for the attack that night. He gives his men torches concealed in clay jars, as well as trumpets.

Gideon and his 32,000–man army of volunteer Israelites camp in the hills above the Midianite invaders in the valley. The Lord tells Gideon to reduce his troops until only 300 remain. God allows Gideon to overhear the interpretation of a Midianite dream, an event that strengthens his faith. Gideon and his 300 men take positions around the Midianite camp and blow trumpets, hold up torches, and shout battle cries. Those in the camp panic and begin attacking each other. The survivors flee toward the Jordan but are eventually cut off.

Despite a miraculous calling from God, and success in his first actions, Gideon still expressed doubt (Judges 6). After seeing two custom-requested miracles, Gideon prepares to attack the Midianite invaders. He winnows his army down to only 300 men and overhears an encouraging conversation. Gideon and his men surprise the enemy after nightfall with trumpets and torches, sparking a panic. This begins a rout of the enemy. In the next chapter, Gideon succeeds further despite stubbornness from his own people (Judges 8).

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).

Accessed 11/22/2024 8:43:05 AM