The Turning of the Tide

Judges 7:16-22 “And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 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. When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.”

Text Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

For seven long years the Midianites had ravaged the land of Canaan; all that was about to change. God handpicked three hundred men to roust these scavengers from the land of promise. Under the leadership of Gideon, these men were divided into three companies and placed in strategic locations. It was said of them, “And they stood every man in his place” (vs.21). Empowered by God, Gideon and his mighty men were able to prevail against tremendous odds. Within our text there are two decisive acts that God used to bring about total victory over the enemy! The tide turned when the light became visible, “And the three companies . . . brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands.” The enemy never became aware of the Israelites presence until they broke the pitcher and let out the light! The world will never be effected until we are willing to die to self and let the light shine forth. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The tide turned when the lips became vocal, “And the three companies . . . cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.” The enemy not only saw something, they heard something. Paul told the saints at Corinth that God has given us a message to declare unto the all the world (see II Corinthians 5:19). It is our responsibility to go into all the world; preaching and teaching the Word of God. The Psalmist said, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:2). When we as a Christians, become visible and vocal, the tide will turn!