Gideon's Army of 300

Courageous • Cowardly

Watchful • Unprepared

Watchfulness and Courage Are Needed for the End Times

How God Chooses Gideon’s 300
"Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

2 The Lord said to Gideon, 'The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, My own hand has saved me.'

3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, [cowardly] let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.' Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.

4 And the Lord said to Gideon, 'The people are still too many.' Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, This one shall go with you, shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, This one shall not go with you, shall not go.

5 So he brought the people down to the water.
And the Lord said to Gideon, 'Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, [looking downward -not watchful] you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.'

6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, [looking outward -watchful] was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.

7 And the Lord said to Gideon, 'With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.'

8 So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley."
--- Judges 7:1-8

Most Biblical scholars miss that the story of Gideon, found in the book of Judges, has an end-time application.



Gideon's men needed COURAGE to be chosen.
And like Gideon's army, the Christian army of believers in the last days will also need to be courageous to be chosen.

For we are told in scipture that the cowardly will be thrown in the lake of fire.
"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
--- Revelation 21:8

The Last days will by all accounts be a fearful, perilous time.
A key verse about the last days can be found in 2 Timothy.
"But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]." [amplified version]
--- 2 Timothy 3:1

This verse, often cited in discussions about the end times, warns of "terrible times" or "perilous times" that will come in the last days.
The verse is part of Paul's letter to Timothy, where he discusses the challenges and dangers that believers will face in the final period before Christ's return.

Other Bible verses indicate that believers will need great courage to navigate the last days:
"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken."
--- Luke 21:25-26

"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
--- Revelation 2:10

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another."
--- Matthew 24:9-10

"Say to those who have an anxious heart, 'Be strong; fear not!' Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you."
--- Isaiah 35:4

We have to have COURAGE to face the last days. Courage is required.



Gideon's men needed to be WATCHFUL to be chosen.
Jesus instructs believers in the last days to also be watchful.

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."
--- Matthew 24:42 NIV

"Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come."
--- Mark 13:33 NASB

"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
--- Matthew 26:41

This is both physical and spiritual watchfulness and implies preparedness on our part.
Jesus gave an end time parable about 5 foolish virgins who were not "prepared" and did not take extra oil. They ended up in the lake of fire. (Matthew 25:1-13)

This is a command from Jesus for the end times.
We have to be WATCHFUL in the last days. Watching is required.



The last days will be characterized by increasing wickedness and uncertainty. Living watchful and courageous is vital to remain faithful to God, resist evil, and prepare our hearts for the coming trials.