20.November 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Daily Bible Reading
Judges 7 – Gideon’s Victory – God’s Power in Human Weakness
How God Works Wonders Through a Few
Bible Text – Judges 7 (KJV)
1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
2 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
4 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
7 And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.
8 So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
9 And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
10 But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:
11 And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.
12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.
14 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.
16 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.
17 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.
18 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.
19 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.
20 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.
21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.
22 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 Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.
23 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.
24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.
25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
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Introduction
In Judges 7, we see how God grants Gideon a great victory over a powerful enemy army with only 300 men. This chapter does not emphasize human strength or strategy, but God’s sovereign leadership and His ability to reveal His power through the weak. It challenges us to put our trust not in external security, but in God.
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Commentary
1. God’s Selection and Reduction of the Army (Verses 1–8)
God reduces Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300 men – an apparently illogical move in terms of military power.
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Why? So that Israel cannot boast (v. 2).
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How? Two tests: (1) Fear (v. 3), (2) Way of drinking water (v. 5–6).
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Lesson: God does not use the strongest, but the available.
2. Divine Encouragement Through a Dream (Verses 9–15)
God knows Gideon’s fears and gives him a sign of His power through a dream shared by a Midianite—interpreted as prophecy of Gideon’s victory.
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Encouragement: God strengthens Gideon’s heart before the battle.
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Response: Gideon worships and acts decisively.
3. The Strategy: Light, Sound, and Confusion (Verses 16–22)
Gideon’s 300 men carry no weapons but:
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Trumpets (symbol of God’s power)
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Torches (hidden light that becomes visible)
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Jars (fragile vessels – a picture of us?)
God Himself brings victory through panic and confusion in the enemy camp.
4. Victory Expanded (Verses 23–25)
More Israelites join in to pursue the fleeing enemies. Two princes are captured and killed. The victory initiated by God unfolds through His people.
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Summary
God chooses Gideon, intentionally reduces the fighting force, and still grants a powerful victory. The success comes not from human strength, but from trust, obedience, and God’s sovereign action. What seems to be a disadvantage becomes the stage for God’s power.
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Message for Today
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God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
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Sometimes God removes our false securities (e.g., numbers, control) to teach us to rely fully on Him.
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God knows our fears—and He responds to them.
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He doesn’t need large numbers, just devoted hearts.
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God’s ways are not our ways—but they lead to the goal.
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Reflection Thought
Where in your life are you relying on “big numbers” or your own strength instead of God’s guidance?
What “jars” in your life need to break so God’s light can shine through?
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16–22 November 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Weekly Reading – Spirit of Prophecy
Ellen White | Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 41
Apostasy at the Jordan | Warning against spiritual apostasy and moral seduction
Read online here
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Introduction
The people of Israel stood directly at the border of the promised land. After great victories and divine guidance, the long-awaited homeland was within reach. But precisely in this moment of outward success, rest, and comfort came one of the worst spiritual collapses in Israel’s history: the apostasy at Baal-Peor.
This chapter vividly describes how moral seduction, spiritual unfaithfulness, and worldly mingling separated God’s people from their Lord—and what deep spiritual lessons it holds for us today.
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Commentary
1. The surroundings of Shittim – beauty and danger
Israel camped in a fertile, tropical plain by the Jordan. Outward prosperity, pleasant surroundings, and rest felt relaxing—but also disarming. This phase of leisure became a spiritual trap.
2. The secret seduction by the Midianite women
Midianite women entered the camp unobtrusively. Their intention was not friendship, but targeted seduction into sin. Under the guise of harmony and culture, the Israelites were to be led into idolatry and moral excess.
3. The feast in honor of the idols – Balaam’s strategy
Balaam, who had previously been unable to curse Israel, now found another way: he led the people close to temptation. Music, wine, cheerful feasting, and sensual allure undermined their self-control. Moral fall turned into idolatry.
4. The deadly plague – the consequences of apostasy
The spiritual and moral collapse had catastrophic consequences:
– A plague broke out that took tens of thousands.
– The leaders of the apostasy were judged.
– The camp underwent drastic purification.
5. The zeal of Phinehas
With holy determination, Phinehas acted to stop the judgment.
God affirmed his action and granted him the “covenant of peace”—an everlasting priesthood.
The message: God’s zeal against sin is an expression of His love for His people.
6. God’s judgment on Midian
Because Midian had deliberately led Israel into sin, divine judgment followed.
The lesson: those who cause others to fall spiritually bear tremendous responsibility.
7. The timeless warning—from the Old Testament to the end times
The account is not merely past. Paul explicitly states:
“This happened to them as an example … written for our admonition.” (1 Cor. 10:11)
Just as then:
– Seduction through pleasures
– Blending with worldly values
– moral dullness
– playing with temptation
still lead us away from God.
8. The spiritual mechanism of falling
The decline does not begin suddenly, but:
– thoughts become impure
– vigilance weakens
– prayer is neglected
– association with the world becomes careless
– small compromises accumulate
– in the end, a person visibly falls into sin
9. God’s way of escape: purity of heart
The Bible calls for a sanctified, guarded inner life:
– “Guard your heart” (Prov. 4:23)
– “Gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Pet. 1:13)
– “Whatever is true… think on these things!” (Phil. 4:8)
– “Create in me a clean heart” (Ps. 51:10)
Victory over temptation always begins in the heart—not in outward behavior.
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Summary
The apostasy at the Jordan shows that the greatest enemy of God’s people is not external threats but inner susceptibility. Israel did not fall by war, but by moral corruption and spiritual negligence. The path into sin began quietly, led to open excess, and ended in heavy judgment. Yet God offers purity, renewal, and protection to those who remain watchful and treasure His Word in their hearts.
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Message for Us Today
Spiritually speaking, we stand just as close to the “heavenly Canaan” as Israel did then. That is why the danger today is great—to fall in this final phase of history through comfort, worldly blending, or moral temptation. Satan uses the same means as then:
– sensual allure
– love of pleasure
– mingling with godless values
– neglect of prayer
– compromises in thinking
Therefore God’s call is:
Watchfulness, purity of heart, separation from destructive influences, and deep connection with His Word.
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Reflection Questions
What “Shittim moments” are there in my life—times of rest or self-satisfaction when I am particularly vulnerable to temptation? And how can I guard my heart before small compromises grow into great sins?
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16–22 November 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Weekly Reading – Spirit of Prophecy
Ellen White | Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 42
The Law Repeated | Moses’ final exhortations and God’s enduring call to obedience
Read online here
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Introduction
Shortly before entering the promised land, Moses gathers the people of Israel one last time. He knows that his time as leader is ending—and that he himself will not enter Canaan. But before he departs, he repeats God’s law and reminds them of the great responsibility connected with the covenant with God. In a passionate, far-reaching appeal, he calls the people to faithfulness, obedience, and a choice for life.
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Commentary
1. Moses’ farewell in humility and concern
Moses asks God to allow him to go into the land—God does not permit it. Yet Moses accepts God’s decision and is not concerned about himself but about the people. He asks for a successor—and God chooses Joshua.
2. Joshua’s calling – a spiritual leader appointed
God chooses Joshua, “a man in whom is the Spirit” (Num. 27:18). Moses lays hands on him before the whole nation, investing him with authority. This shows: leadership is not human ambition but a divine commission.
3. Why the law needed to be repeated
The new generation was young at Sinai. They needed to hear God’s law again—to understand why obedience is the foundation for blessing, safety, and fellowship with God. The repetition was meant to touch heart and conscience anew.
4. Looking back at God’s guidance and grace
Moses reminds Israel of:
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the deliverance from Egypt
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the miracles in the wilderness
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the giving of the law
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God’s nearness
He shows: No other nation was ever so loved, guided, and blessed by God.
5. Israel—chosen out of love, not merit
“Not because you were more in number… but because He loved you” (Deut. 7:7–9). God’s covenant is based on faithfulness and grace—not on Israel’s strength. This truth is central to prevent pride and self-righteousness.
6. The promised land – both gift and responsibility
Moses describes the land: fertile, beautiful, supplied by God. But the warning follows immediately: When you are full, do not forget the Lord (Deut. 6:10–12). Prosperity can become a danger if it creates spiritual drowsiness.
7. Blessing and curse – the choice of life
Chapter 28 contains two mighty lists:
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Blessing for obedience: abundance, protection, success
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Curse for disobedience: hardship, scattering, judgment
These warnings were tragically fulfilled in Israel’s history—among them the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome.
8. The solemn appeal: Choose life!
“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse… therefore choose life” (Deut. 30:19).
God does not force—He calls. Obedience is not external duty but a decision born of love for God.
9. The Song of Moses – remembrance in poetic form
To imprint everything, Moses composes a song. It recounts God’s dealings and warns toward faithfulness. The people are to memorize it and pass it on to future generations—God’s truth is meant to penetrate the heart.
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Summary
Chapter 42 is Moses’ final great appearance before his death. He repeats the law, calls the people to decision, and transfers leadership to Joshua. The heart of his message: Israel was chosen by grace—now they are to respond with obedience and love. Blessing and curse lie openly before them. The choice is theirs.
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Message for Us Today
We too stand spiritually at the border of the “promised land”—the second coming of Jesus. God’s law still stands as the standard for our lives. The choice between life and death, obedience or our own path, arises anew each day. Prosperity, routine, and spiritual indifference are the same dangers now as then. God’s call applies to us as well:
– Choose life.
– Hold fast to the Word.
– Teach it to your children.
– Live with God—and for God.
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Reflection Questions
What shapes my daily decisions—comfort or obedience? Is God’s law alive in my heart—or merely a duty? How can others tell that I have chosen life with God? How can I pass on the spiritual heritage to the next generation?
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