The Midianites, descendants of Midian, a son of Abraham by Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2), were a nomadic people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. They inhabited the region east of the Jordan River and the Sinai Peninsula. The Midianites are often depicted as adversaries of Israel, particularly during the period of the Judges.

One of the most notable accounts of the Midianites' fear of Israel is found in the narrative of Gideon. During this time, the Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, oppressed Israel, devastating their land and resources (Judges 6:3-5). The Israelites, in their distress, cried out to the LORD for deliverance.

God raised up Gideon as a judge to deliver Israel from the Midianite oppression. The LORD assured Gideon of victory, saying, "Surely I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man" (Judges 6:16). Despite Gideon's initial hesitance and the small size of his army, God orchestrated a miraculous victory to demonstrate His power and to ensure that Israel would not boast in their own strength.

The fear of the Midianites is vividly illustrated in the account of Gideon's surprise attack. God instructed Gideon to reduce his army to just 300 men, ensuring that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human might. The Midianites were encamped in the valley, "as numerous as locusts; their camels were without number, as the sand on the seashore" (Judges 7:12). Despite their overwhelming numbers, the Midianites were thrown into confusion and terror when Gideon's men, armed with trumpets and torches concealed in jars, launched their attack at night.

The LORD caused panic among the Midianites, and they turned their swords against each other. Judges 7:21-22 describes the scene: "Each man stood in his place around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of each man against his companion throughout the camp, and the army fled."

This account highlights the Midianites' terror at the approach of Israel, underscoring the theme of divine deliverance and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. The fear that gripped the Midianites serves as a testament to the power of God working through His chosen instruments, even when they appear weak or insufficient by human standards.

The Midianites' fear and subsequent defeat at the hands of Gideon and his small band of men is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people against overwhelming odds. This narrative, preserved in the book of Judges, continues to inspire faith in God's providence and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.Habakkuk 3:3-7
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... to be threshing out our wheat, that we may hide it from the Midianites (Judges
6:11). ... have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; to your tents, O Israel: now see ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

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