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 were known for their trade and commerce, often interacting with neighboring tribes and nations. However, their relationship with the Israelites was marked by conflict and hostility, particularly during the period of the Judges.

The Amalekites, descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12), were another nomadic tribe that frequently opposed Israel. Known for their guerrilla warfare tactics, the Amalekites were a persistent thorn in the side of the Israelites from the time of the Exodus onward.

The narrative of the Midianites and Amalekites opposing Gideon is found in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 to 8. During this period, the Israelites had turned away from God, leading to their oppression by the Midianites. Judges 6:1-2 states, "Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; so He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds."

The Midianites, in alliance with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade Israel during the harvest, devastating the land and leaving the Israelites impoverished. Judges 6:3-5 describes this oppression: "Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples would invade, camped against them, and destroyed the produce of the land as far as Gaza. They left nothing for Israel to eat, and no sheep, cattle, or donkeys."

In response to Israel's cries for help, God raised up Gideon, a judge, to deliver His people. Gideon, initially hesitant and doubtful of his own abilities, was assured by God of His presence and power. Judges 6:14 records God's commission to Gideon: "The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'"

Gideon's faith and obedience were tested as God instructed him to reduce his army from 32,000 men to just 300, ensuring that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human might. Judges 7:2 states, "The LORD said to Gideon, 'You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands. Israel might boast against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’"

The battle strategy given to Gideon was unconventional. Armed with trumpets, empty jars, and torches, Gideon's 300 men surrounded the Midianite camp. At Gideon's signal, they blew the trumpets, broke the jars, and shouted, causing confusion and panic among the Midianites and Amalekites. 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."

The victory over the Midianites and Amalekites was decisive, and it led to forty years of peace in Israel. This account highlights God's sovereignty and power, demonstrating that deliverance comes not through human strength but through faith and obedience to His will. The account of Gideon serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His ability to use unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes.Judges 6:33
Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... advance was accelerated as the resistance opposed to their ... case would have been Edomites
and Midianites, who were ... down they whose root is in Amalek:"out of ...
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