Judges 7

v1-8: God often brings "great things to pass by using only a few people," but here "he deliberately made them fewer" to show that He alone is the Saviour of His people and to silence "any boasting on [Israel's] part." This incident "may help us understand those circumstances which sometimes seem to weaken the church and its interests," in order that God "may be exalted in his own strength."

v9-15: God's Word is "a solid basis for faith." Gideon is given "a word of command to authorise the action," and "a word of promise to assure him of success."

v16-25: The way God brought about the defeat of the Midianites can be seen "as a type of the destruction of the Devil's kingdom in the world by the preaching of the eternal Gospel, the sounding of that trumpet, and the holding out of the light from jars of clay, for this is what ministers of the Gospel are, in whom the treasure of that light is placed."

Judges 8

v1-3: Humility is the best way of dealing with jealousy. Good works "not so likely to be envied when those who undertake them do not appear to be proud of them." Humility "is also the best way of dealing with conflict, for only by pride comes contention." It is also true that "humility is most pleasing and wonderful in someone who has achieved a lot and who has made significant advancement."