Verse 4

The LORD spoke to Gideon again,“There are still too many men. Bring them down to the water and I will thin the ranks some more. When I say,‘This one should go with you,’ pick him to go; when I say,‘This one should not go with you,’ do not take him.”

Referenced Verses

  • Gen 22:1 : 1 The Sacrifice of Isaac Some time after these things God tested Abraham. He said to him,“Abraham!”“Here I am!” Abraham replied.
  • 1 Sam 14:6 : 6 Jonathan said to his armor bearer,“Come on, let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will intervene for us. Nothing can prevent the LORD from delivering, whether by many or by a few.”
  • 1 Sam 16:7 : 7 But the LORD said to Samuel,“Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
  • Job 23:10 : 10 But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.
  • Ps 7:9 : 9 May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end! But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives!
  • Ps 33:16 : 16 No king is delivered by his vast army; a warrior is not saved by his great might.
  • Ps 66:10 : 10 For you, O God, tested us; you purified us like refined silver.
  • Jer 6:27-30 : 27 The LORD said to me,“I have made you like a metal assayer to test my people like ore. You are to observe them and evaluate how they behave.” 28 I reported,“All of them are the most stubborn of rebels! They are as hard as bronze or iron. They go about telling lies. They all deal corruptly. 29 The fiery bellows of judgment burn fiercely. But there is too much dross to be removed. The process of refining them has proved useless. The wicked have not been purged. 30 They are regarded as‘rejected silver’ because the LORD rejects them.”
  • Mal 3:2-3 : 2 Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can keep standing when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. 3 He will act like a refiner and purifier of silver and will cleanse the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will offer the LORD a proper offering.