My God and My Country

The Book of Judges Chapter 7:2

Geneva Bible translation

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 make their vaunt against me, and say, Mine hand hath saved me.

Brethren;
God not only uses the least among us, that is to say the humble and meek, to accomplish His will and goals, but at times He likewise uses the fewest number of people. This is to make certain that it is known that it is His doing, and not the hand of mankind.  A N.T. example can be shown in the Acts of the Apostles. A handful of servants of Christ, changed the course of the world, by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. It was God’s work, through men, not of men. 

Study Notes

Gideon applies himself with all possible care and industry to do the part of a good general, in leading on the hosts of Israel against the Midianites. He rose up early, as one whose heart was upon his business, and who was afraid of losing time. Now that he is sure God is with him he is impatient of delay. He pitched near a famous well, that his army might not be distressed for want of water, and gained the higher ground, which possibly might be some advantage to him, for the Midianites were beneath him in the valley. Note, Faith in God’s promises must not slacken, but rather quicken, our endeavours. When we are sure God goes before us, then we must bestir ourselves, 2 Samuel 5:24. God provides that the praise of the intended victory may be reserved wholly to himself, by appointing 300 men only to be employed in this service The army consisted of 32,000 men, a small army in comparison with what the Midianites had now brought into the field; Gideon was ready to think them too few, but God comes to him, and tells him they are too many. Matthew Henry - 1662-1714

Too many - For my purpose; which is, so to deliver Israel, that it may appear to be my own act, that so I may have all the glory, and they may be the more strongly obliged to serve me. This may help us to understand those providences, which sometimes seem to weaken the church of Christ. Its friends are too many, too mighty, too wise, for God to work deliverance by. God is taking a course to lessen them, that he may be exalted in his own strength. - John Wesley - 1703-1791