Judges 7:23-25

Pursuit of the enemy 7:23-25

The pursuit described in these verses may have taken several days. Gideon sent a call for reinforcements throughout the whole northern part of Canaan. Other Israelites responded and helped Gideon and his band round up and execute as many of the enemy as they could capture. Israel controlled the fords of the Jordan and slew many Midianites as they fled homeward. The Israelites also captured and executed the two leaders of the Midianite army, Oreb (lit. the Raven) and Zeeb (the Wolf), east of the Jordan. The Midianites had acted like scavengers and predators, so these names were ironically appropriate.

"Among ancient nations, generals and princes often took the names of birds and beasts." [Note: Bush, pp. 105-106.]

This record of God’s great deliverance of His people illustrates what God can do through one person who, though weak in faith, is willing to trust and obey Him.

"It is not our responsibility to understand how God is going to keep His word and accomplish His work. It is our responsibility to obey Him and to do what He commands." [Note: Inrig, p. 135.]