If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.
Judges [7:10]-11
In the book of Judges, we find the remarkable story about Gideon defeating one hundred and thirty-five thousand barbarians with only three hundred men. Before the battle, Gideon prayed for wisdom to accomplish this mighty task. In response to Gideon’s prayer, God says, If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah (11) and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.
In response, Gideon awakens Purah and asks him to go with him to the edge of the barbarians’ camp. Laying down on the wet early evening ground, both Purah and Gideon hear a barbarian sentry express fear to his fellow sentry. The barbarian had a dream the previous night that Gideon would lead a great army and destroy their army. Through hearing these words of fear, Purah determined they would be successful.
Purah advised Gideon they would be successful based on what he had heard. Purah sensed a heightened level of fear by the barbarians, which would cause them to flee even at the hint of Gideon attacking their camp. Purah also knew God would not lead Gideon into a trap.
Even though Gideon only had three hundred men, his plan, given to him by God, was to essentially encircle the camp in the dark of night with each of the three hundred blaring trumpets and vigorously waving torches. Then, from down in the valley, the barbarians would look up and see what appeared to be a great army. The barbarians would then flee out of fear from hearing the noise and seeing the spectacle of lighted torches.
This was the plan, but would it work? Purah told Gideon from what he heard the plan would work. Sure enough, when Gideon did do as God advised and encircled the camp, the Barbarians became confused and sought safety in a heightened state of fear. Not only that, many of them turned on each other during their attempted escape.
Gideon won the battle with only three hundred men based on a marvelously audacious plan given to him by God. Now imagine we were Gideon and had heard God’s plan would we have continued. I must admit I would have been very doubtful and in need of encouragement.
God knew there would be doubt and asked Gideon to seek Purah for advice and give him confidence. By the way, the name Purah means, in Hebrew, one who bears fruit. I love these names in the Bible; it is always amazing to find out how the meaning of the name ties into the story, and here is another excellent example.
From a historical background, Purah was Gideon’s helper on his father’s farm. The two were very close, and both loved God. When Gideon had a challenging task on the farm, it was Purah he relied upon to help. Likely they spent many long hours together working and discussing life. So when God told Gideon to have Purah help him gain confidence, it really wasn’t all that surprising. A wise and trusted friend is what God knew would move Gideon forward.
For me, I see this as an essential part of the Gideon story. We all need Purah’s in our lives to help us move forward. In my own life, during the difficult times of my business career, I didn’t have just one Purah; I had many. When Footlocker was chronically close to filing bankruptcy, I had Marc, Z-man, Lauren, Peter, Anne Marie, and Joe B. to help me think through all the complicated steps. Without their advice and counsel, Footlocker would have failed.
Even today, in my non-business life, I have many marvelous Purah’s; my brother and sister-in-laws, my brother, my sisters, my wife, my mother and father-in-law, my mother, and the memory of my father. All gifts who give sage advice.
Over the years, I have learned that if I am to accomplish anything, it requires God and the Purah’s in my life. I have also learned God wants me to seek the counsel of these Purah’s during the complex times.
We all have Purah’s. And to help us, God asks us to talk with them. Not just when we are faced with difficult times, but in all the times of our lives. Many times life can be complicated, and the answer to our prayers can be hard to understand. This is when the Purah’s in our lives help us sort things out.
