Why did God want Gideon to reduce his army in judge chapter 7?

Answer 1

Why did God want Gideon to reduce his army in Judge ,Chapter 7?

God did not wish there to be absolutely any room for confusion as to the source of Victory as far as Gideon's small army over the large Midianite army = GOD!

(Jerubbaal)GIDEON (name which means "great warrior" in Hebrew)...

Gideon was overwhelmed when he realized it was an angel of the Lord speaking to him. But God said to Gideon, "Peace! Do not be afraid".

And the angel said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior".

God told Gideon that he was the chosen one to FREE Israel from the oppression by the Midianites.

Gideon was doubtful that he could be the deliverer of Israel.

God asked Gideon to send some of his soldiers home especially the ones who were afraid.

At first, 22,000 soldiers were sent home.

God told Gideon that his army of 10,000 was still too large.

God wanted the Midianites and everyone else to know assuredly that HE(LORD) was in complete control.

Gideon's men shouted "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon"! and charged into the enemy camp!

Gideon easily defeated the 120,000 Midianites with an army of 300 with only some torches, pitchers, and trumpets.

Without a single doubt, VICTORY was only possible because of God.

Gideon and his little army brought all Honor and Glory to God by "obeying" God.

God showed patient FAITHFULNESS to Gideon.

Gideon's own FAITH was strengthened by God's FAITHFULNESS!

It was never Gideon's battle alone.

God accomplished His battle plan.

Gideon walked and led in confidence by FAITH.

God never calls the BRAVE; God makes BRAVE the called.

"Be still and listen to God's voice in our Life.

We can all be conquerors in the Lord just as Gideon was.....

Answer 2

Tay Zar T., the reason for God requiring that Gideon reduce the size of his army was so that Israel would not be able to say that they had won the battle against the Midaianites by their own power. You can see this if you look at Judges 7:2, where it says, "The Lord said to Gideon, 'The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their had, lest Israel boast over me, saying, My own hand has saved me.'"

This is a repeated pattern in the Book of Judges. Israel sins, is conquered and oppressed by a surrounding people, and God provides a judge who liberates them from their oppressors, but he does this in a way that demonstrates that he is the one liberating the people and not (ultimately) the judge that he has chosen.