Movatterモバイル変換

Numbers 32:35,42
And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah, …

secure

Judges 18:27
And they tookthe things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a peoplethat were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.

1 Samuel 15:32
Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

1 Samuel 30:16
And when he had brought him down, behold,they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

east of Nobah and Jogbehah
Nobah and Jogbehah were locations in the territory of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. Nobah was named after a leader who captured it (Numbers 32:42), while Jogbehah is mentioned as a fortified city (Numbers 32:35). The mention of these places highlights the geographical context of Gideon's pursuit of the Midianites. This area was part of the land allotted to the tribes of Gad and Reuben, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land. The eastward direction also symbolizes moving towards the rising sun, often associated with new beginnings and divine intervention.

and he attacked their army
Gideon's attack on the Midianite army is a continuation of his divinely appointed mission to deliver Israel from oppression (Judges 6:14). This reflects the recurring biblical theme of God empowering unlikely leaders to achieve victory, as seen with David against Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Gideon's leadership and courage are central to the narrative, demonstrating how God can use individuals to fulfill His plans despite overwhelming odds.

taking them by surprise
The element of surprise was crucial in ancient warfare, often determining the outcome of battles. Gideon's ability to catch the Midianites off guard underscores his wisdom and the divine guidance he received. This surprise attack is reminiscent of other biblical accounts where God grants victory through unexpected means, such as Joshua's conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6). It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ, who triumphs over sin and death in ways that defy human expectation (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

“Gideon went up” (Judges 8:11).

• Movement here is more than geographic; it reflects spiritual obedience. Gideon responds immediately to the Lord’s earlier assurance inJudges 7:9–11, just as Moses moved at God’s command inExodus 3:10 and Joshua advanced inJoshua 1:9.

• Ascending language often marks faith in action (Psalm 24:3–4). Gideon’s upward journey mirrors the believer’s call to rise above fear and doubt (2 Timothy 1:7).

• This “caravan route” was a well-traveled trade path. Gideon chooses a road his enemies would least expect an attack from—showing wisdom that echoesProverbs 16:9 (“A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps”).

• The eastern side of Nobah and Jogbehah lay on Israel’s frontier, illustrating how God equips His people to push beyond familiar borders (Isaiah 54:2–3).

• Strategic obedience:

– Uses available knowledge (Judges 7:13–15).

– Employs terrain effectively (Joshua 8:3–8).

– Depends on divine timing (Ecclesiastes 3:1,John 7:6).

• Gideon shifts from defense to offense, embodying the “be strong and courageous” mandate ofDeuteronomy 31:6.

• His 300 may seem small, yet God delights in using what appears weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).

• Spiritual parallel: Believers are called to stand firm and engage the enemy with the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–13), not retreat into passivity.

• Surprise underscores God’s sovereignty; He turns apparent disadvantages into victory (2 Kings 7:6–7).

• Similar sudden deliverances: Joshua’s nighttime march on Gibeon (Joshua 10:9–10) and Jonathan’s stealth climb against the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:11–15).

• Practical takeaway: Walking in daily obedience positions us to see God orchestrate outcomes we could never engineer on our own (Romans 8:31).

Judges 8:11 highlights Gideon’s upward, faith-filled advance, his wise selection of an unexpected route, his decisive engagement with the enemy, and the divinely granted surprise victory. Each step displays the partnership of human obedience and God’s sovereign power, encouraging believers today to follow the Lord’s lead, act courageously, and trust Him for results beyond human calculation.

Nobah.--In Gilead, belonging to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:42). It was originally called Kenath, but the name was altered in honour of a Manassite hero, who is otherwise unrecorded. Jewish tradition says that he was born in Egypt, and died during the passage of the Jordan (Seder Olam Rabba).The original name displaced its rival, for the site is now calledKenawat.

Jogbehah.--In Gad (Numbers 32:34). It is not mentioned elsewhere, and has not been identified.

The host was secure.--They would have thought it most unlikely that the Israelites, with their mere handful of men, would pursue so large an army for so long a distance. They fancied themselves beyond the reach of pursuit because they miscalculated the energy and powers of Gideon, who, not improbably, once more attacked them by night.