Maximizing the Minimum ∙∙
So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon and took control. Gideon blew a trumpet as a call to arms. Judges 6:34
Judges 7:9 Now, the same night it came about, the LORD said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hands.
During the Battle of Britain, the German Luftwaffe appeared poised for dominance, wielding its vast aerial force against the outnumbered RAF. Hermann Göring, confident in the Luftwaffe’s superiority, expected Britain’s defenses to crumble under relentless pressure. However, that was simply not to be.
On August 5, 1940, remembered as “The Greatest Day,” the Luftwaffe launched its largest assault of the campaign. The raid sent 115 bombers and 35 fighters into the fray, yet it backfired spectacularly. A staggering 75 German aircraft were destroyed, and several others sustained irreparable damage. This dramatic reversal highlighted the RAF’s incredible determination and tactical brilliance despite their limited resources.
Winston Churchill captured the spirit of their efforts in his famous immortal declaration, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” These pilots, dubbed “The Few,” exemplified resilience, demonstrating how to achieve extraordinary outcomes with scant resources. Their tenacity not only turned the tide of the battle but also helped shift the trajectory of the entire war.
The theme of “doing more with less” reverberates through countless moments in history and scripture, including the Book of Judges. The period of the Judges spans over three centuries, covering Israel’s turbulent history from the time of Joshua to the rise of Saul. Israel’s faithfulness to God was inconsistent—like a pendulum swinging between rebellion and repentance. Time after time, Israel’s habitual rebelliousness reared its ugly head. They turned away from God, cycling through seven episodes of defiance, oppression, and eventual deliverance.
Their disobedience triggered divine discipline, as reflected in the familiar refrain, “Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1, 10:6, 13:1). Each wave of rebellion led to suffering as neighboring nations subdued them. Yet, it was only in their distress that they cried out to God—not in repentance but in anguish. Block poignantly notes, “There is no hint of repentance, only a cry of pain.”
Still, God, in His mercy, raised up “Judges” to rescue His people.
Judges 2:18-19 states:
18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge over Israel, He was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under oppression.
19 But when the judge died, the people returned to corrupt behavior, even worse than their ancestors.
This cycle of forgiveness and restoration brought fleeting peace and prosperity. Yet, generation after generation, the rescued cohort neglected to communicate the dire repercussions of their insubordination against the Father to their children. Thus, a new wave of disobedience would always arise, perpetuating the cycle. Judges 21:25 sums it up succinctly, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Before casting judgment on Israel, it’s crucial to recognize that their struggles mirror our own. Modern children of the King are all too familiar with the same “on again, off again” relationship with the Father. Larry W. Wilson aptly captures this truth, paraphrasing his thoughts: The Bible tells the story of our lives, just with different names. If we lived in those times, how many of us would fall into the same patterns of rebellion and return?
Human nature’s tendency toward defiance and inconsistency remains a painful reality. Each of us can trace moments in our own lives when faith and obedience faltered. If you doubt this, reflect on the ebb and flow of your own relationship with the Father. Like the RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain or the Judges raised up to deliver Israel, we can rediscover resilience and restoration. The key is acknowledging our weakness, turning back to God, and trusting in His power to transform us despite our limitations.
REFLECT & PRAY
Zechariah 4:6 “It is not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
Father, You can always maximize the minimum and do more with less. Encourage me to have confidence and be faithful.
INSIGHT
The story in Judges 5 captures a moment of victory and deliverance for Israel after two decades of oppression. The people, overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, responded with songs of praise, giving glory to the Lord for His intervention. This triumph ushered in a rare period of peace, lasting 40 years (Judges 5:31).
However, as time passed and that faithful generation died, Israel predictably fell back into its old patterns of disobedience. The allure of Canaanite worship proved too enticing, and Israel, already weakened by prior compromises, succumbed once more. Barry G. Webb describes it aptly, “The allure of Canaanite worship was irresistibly strong, and Israel’s resolve, already eroded by previous lapses, crumbled. Israel slid back into its former ways, and once more, a somber shadow enveloped the land.”
Judges 6 opens with a familiar refrain.
Judges 6:1 “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years.”
Under Midianite oppression, the Israelites were reduced to hiding in caves while their crops and livestock were stolen. Desperate for relief, they cried out to God. His response was twofold. First, He sent a prophet to confront them with the painful truth of their rebellion.
Judges 6:8-10 “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of slavery in Egypt. I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you all their land. “I told you, ‘I am the LORD your God. You must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now live.’ But you have not listened to me.”
Second, God sent an angelic messenger to call Gideon to rescue Israel.
Judges 6:12 “The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!’”
What might one anticipate to transpire next? When an angel of the Lord appears, individuals are often struck with awe and instinctively bow in reverence. Gideon’s reaction was less than stellar. Rather than bowing in reverence, he voiced his frustrations and doubts, questioning God’s presence and promises. His response dripped with bitterness.
Question after question pours forth: Why this? Why that? A constant “Why?” echoes. Why has the Lord forsaken us? He could have eliminated the Midianites from the outset. Yet, here we are, languishing and famished. Where has He been all this while? Indeed, He must have forgotten His people and the covenant He formed with them.
Judges 6:13 Gideon replied, “Lord if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”
Unperturbed by Gideon’s whining and grievances, the angel’s resolve did not waver. Like a divine recruitment officer, the angel delivers the message like a World War II Army poster saying, “I Want You.”
Judges 6:14 “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”
Gideon, apparently, was not impressed or convinced. He protested, listing all the reasons why he was unqualified for such a mission. Gideon sounds like a motorboat: but, but, but.
Judges 6:15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”
The Lord’s response was simple and direct. He essentially says, “Problem solved!” Not only do I have your back, but I will also be with you and destroy your enemies.
Judges 6:16 The LORD said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”
Still, Gideon struggled to believe and demanded proof. He is thinking something like, “That sounds great on paper.” Gideon is still full of doubts. Under his breath, he no doubt mutters, “I don’t know about that.” He wants proof. So, the angel obliges him. Consequently, Gideon is convinced that the Father sent the angel.
Judges 6:22 “When Gideon realized it was the angel of the LORD, he cried out, ‘O Sovereign LORD, I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!’”
Gideon’s first assignment was personal and dangerous. Rather than taking a large army, Gideon took only ten men and tore down an altar of Baal. When the townspeople discovered what he had done, they demanded his death. However, Gideon’s father, Joash, no doubt with a bit of a smirk on his face, stepped in with a sharp retort, challenging Baal’s supposed power. Joash delivers a great one-liner.
Judges 6:31 “Why are you defending Baal? . . . If Baal truly is a god, let him defend himself and destroy the one who broke down his altar!”
From there, Gideon’s faith grew. He sought further confirmation through the famous episode with the fleece, and once assured of God’s promise, he gathered an army of 32,000 men. But God made it clear that this number was too large. He wanted Israel to recognize that victory came from Him, not from their strength. Through a series of reductions, the army was whittled down to just 300 men.
Equipped with nothing more than trumpets, torches, and jars, Gideon and his small band carried out God’s plan. Their actions sowed confusion among the Midianites, leading to a miraculous victory.
Gideon learned to move past his fears and doubts, discovering the truth that with God, less can accomplish infinitely more, maximizing the minimum.
¯_(ツ)_/¯5-15-2
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 