Harod’s Spring (Gideon’s Spring)

Judges 7:1, “Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon), and all the people who were with him, rose early and camped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley.” NASB

Harod’s Spring is still the site of camping. The streams coming from the spring are rock-lined with strategically large, flat rocks on which to cross. I could easily imagine soldiers bedding down around them.

The spring is in the cave behind our tour guide, Elle.

Today, people picnic, wade in the streams, hike the trails, view the memorial to Israel’s fallen soldiers, and climb to the lookout at the top of Mt. Moreh. In the evening, they gather around the bonfire area or relax near their RV or tent. It’s a peaceful place.

“…’Harod’ means timid, fearful, trembling. The men who gathered with Gideon at this spring were experiencing different types and degrees of timidity and fear. Many trembled in terror at the prospect of a battle where they would be so hopelessly outnumbered. Had they known that it was God’s intent to reduce the ratio of the fighting forces from one to four (1:4) down to one fighter for every 450 Midianites (1:450), imagine their terror! This quiet spring witnessed trembling, testing, and trusting. Here God ensured that the glory would be His (Judges 7:2). When we tremble at the foe, we can remember Ein Harod – the battle is the LORD’s, we need not fear the foe. …”

Dr. David Dunn, Representative (Ret.), BFP Canada

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Judges 7:8, “…So the 300 men took the people’s provisions and their trumpets into their hands, …” NASB

Joshua had 300 men but he had the provisions of the tens of thousands who left.

Judges 7:10, 11, “But if you are afraid to go down, go with Purah your servant down to the camp, 11) and you will hear what they say; and afterward your hands will be strengthened…” NASB

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting despite your fears. When Gideon heard what the man said, Judges 7:13-15, his fear was replaced with peace. He still had a battle to fight, but he had peace.

Judges 8:4, “Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over, weary yet pursuing.” NASB

Gideon didn’t lose one man!

Isaiah 54:14, “In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.” NIV

Isaiah 9:4, “For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressors.” NIV

Judges 6:24, “Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” NASB

Isaiah 54:13, “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.” NIV

I Learned:

1. God makes room for families, Joshua 15:1; 17:15-16.
2. Joshua settled in the land of Ephraim, Joshua 19:49-50.
3. The Kohathites, who carried the holy things, were assigned to live in the land of Ephraim, Joshua 21:5.
4. Not one of the good promises of the Lord failed to come to pass, Joshua 21:45; Isaiah 54:10.
5. The Lord is the source of our rest, Joshua 23:1.
6. We are tested to see if we will continue to walk in the Lord’s way, Judges 2:22.
7. Deborah judged Israel sitting under a palm tree named after her in the land of Ephraim, Judges 4:5.

I pray for peace for you and your children.

Merry Christmas!

Join me in reading December’s chapters. I would love to hear what you learned in the comments section below!

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