Gideon returned from pursuing the enemies of the nation, to meet censure and accusation from his own countrymen. When at his call the men of Israel had rallied against the Midianites, the tribe of Ephraim had remained behind. They looked upon the effort as a perilous undertaking; and as Gideon sent them no special summons, they availed themselves of this excuse not to join their brethren. But when the news of Israel's triumph reached them, the Ephraimites were envious because they had not shared it. After the rout of the Midianites, the men of Ephraim had, by Gideon's direction, seized the fords of the Jordan, thus preventing the escape of the fugitives. By this means a large number of the enemy were slain, among whom were two princes, Oreb and Zeeb. Thus the men of Ephraim followed up the battle, and helped complete the victory. Nevertheless, they were jealous and angry, as though Gideon had been led by his own will and judgment. They did not discern God's hand in the triumph of Israel, they did not appreciate His power and mercy in their 555 deliverance; and this very fact showed them unworthy to be chosen as His special instruments.

Det var ved hjælp af Guds magt, at hans fjender blev besejret, da Josuas hær stødte i hornet på marchen rundt om Jeriko, og da Gideons lille skare lod hornet gjalde rundt om midjanitternes lejr. Når menneskene ikke regner med Guds magt og visdom, vil selv deres mest fuldkomne planer slå fejl. På den anden side vil de metoder, der ser mest håbløse ud, lykkes, hvis Gud har anvist dem, og menneskene benytter dem i ydmyghed og tro. Tillid til Gud og lydighed imod hans vilje har lige så stor betydning i den kristnes åndelige krig som i Gideons og Josuas krige med kanaanæerne, Gud ønskede, at Israel skulle stole på ham og tillidsfuldt søge hans hjælp i hver eneste nødsituation. Det var derfor, at han gang på gang åbenbarede sin magt for deres skyld. Han er akkurat lige så villig til at samarbejde med sit folk nu og gøre store ting ved hjælp af svage redskaber. Hele Himmelen venter på, at vi skal bede om visdom og styrke fra det høje. Gud formår "at gøre langt ud over det, som vi beder om eller forstår". Ef. 3, 20.