God cannot be fully comprehended or defined by human formulas or concepts. The document discusses the biblical story of Gideon, who God chose to defeat the larger Midianite army with only 300 men. God had Gideon reduce the size of his army to show that victory came from God, not from Israel's strength. God then gave Gideon an unconventional battle plan using torches, trumpets and broken pottery to confuse the enemy army and turn them against each other so Israel achieved victory with God's help.

2. GOD IS NOT ABOUT Formulas!!
• To sum up before we even start…
• GOD can’t be computed,
described, comprehended…
– We’ll do our best – but, not
enough vocab words!
– No formula for God…always has
been – not created!
– …and God isn’t bound by
formulas (i.e: cause = effect)
• When control everything, don’t need
a step-by-step manual…ya know?
• Isaiah 55:8 – “My thoughts are
not your thoughts; neither are
your ways My ways, says the
LORD.”
• Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion,
The Witch and the Wardrobe
– Mr. Beaver says, “He’s not safe!
But He’s good…”

6. • Setting the stage (Judges 6):
– Israel was disobedient (“did evil in the
sight of the Lord”) – common…
• God gave them into the hands of Midian
Gimmie all yer (7 years!)
stuff! – Forced to live in poverty; caves & crops;
“no sheep, ox, donkey”
‘Cuz We BAD! • Midianites & Amalekites took everything…
– Israel finally cries out, “God help us!!”
– God says – “I have (Egypt), but you
didn’t listen…but, I will help you again…”
• Enter Gideon (“Runtusamongus”)
– Angel says, “God is with you, o mighty
warrior!”
– Gideon says, “Who me? I’m from the
smallest tribe, and I’m runt of the litter!”
– BUT GOD says “I will be with you; you
will defeat Midian as one man.”

7. • Midianites & Amalekites
went to go pick a fight GULP!
with Israelites
– They were over 135,000
strong…
• …compared to 32,000ish
Israelites!
• Yikes! A little lopsided
right?

8. The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too
many men for me to deliver Midian into
their hands. In order that Israel may not
boast against Me that her own strength
has saved her, announce now to the
people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear
may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' "
So twenty-two thousand men left, while
ten thousand remained.

9. • 4 But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men.
Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there.
If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say,
'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."
• 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD
told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues
like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." 6 Three
hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the
rest got down on their knees to drink.
• 7 The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that
lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.
Let all the other men go, each to his own place." 8 So Gideon
sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three
hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the
others.

10. Weapons! Game on!
Trumpets, Torches & Pottery?!?!?
• Planted dreams in
Midianites’ heads
• Unconventional weapons,
right?
– 3 groups of 100
– Every man with torch
(=1,000); trumpet;
pottery/pitcher
– At sound of trumpet, all sound
off “sword for the Lord; sword
for Gideon!”
– Blow horn; smash pot…and
WATCH!!!
• God turned the enemy against
themselves
• Israeli army hunted down and
killed all the rest of them!

11. Takeaways…
• Why did God fight the battle
this way?
– Glorify Himself, so the
Israelites couldn’t boast
– Remind Israelites Who God is,
and Who gets the glory
• Remember - God is not
about formulas…we’ll see
this all week long…
– When You control it all, do
You really need an ordered
process?
• He is… UNDEFEATABLE!
• Romans 8:31 – “What shall
we say to these things? If
God is for us, who is against
us?”