Judges 7:17 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.
This passage of scripture reveals to us the manner in which the Lord intended that Israel should win her battles, and it was not by might and power of human devising, but rather through The Captain of The Lord's hosts. As we observe the instructions given to Gideon by God, we see that the directives really have nothing to do with war, for they were instructed to first blow their trumpets, and then to break open their pitchers, thereby displaying the fires within. Now, if we were to suggest such a plan of action to our current joint chief of staffs, as a way to defeat Isis, we would be laughed to scorn, or most likely arrested with many charges of insanity, and psychological evaluations pending.
But in most instances, it was not the ideal will of God for the Hebrews to use any man-made weapons of war in their battles, for sooner than later, they would have come to trust in these instruments as being able to deliver them from their enemies. Ideally, God would send His angels as invisible agents of destruction, whilst the human agent should cooperate in the battle by the blowing of trumpets, or by shouting, and in some cases, by sending the church choir at the front of the army to sing forth the praises of The Most High. And as the anthems of praise and thanksgiving would ascend to God, He would be moved to take actions against His foes, whilst the Hebrews acted the part of cheerleaders, and assistants. Let's read:
2nd Chronicles 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord".... 19 And the Levites".. "stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
The disposition to trust in arms and man-made devices of protecting ourselves is often the cause for a lack of faith in the Living God, to protect His people. And whenever we decide not to walk by faith but by sight, the actions which follow become sin, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Let us therefore not put our trust in guns, and ammunition, but let us rather trust in the sword of the Lord, whenever we are confronted in battle against foes and and evil spirits in high places, for The same God who delivered Gideon and Jehoshaphat, is The very same God who still sits on the throne of the universe.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to trust in God rather than in man, or man-made devices, for God is well able to deliver us in any and every situation, if it is His will. Let's read:
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!