Early in the morning, Jesus and all his disciples gathered at the river that used to be outside of the walls of the city beyond the west gate of Jerusalem. The river now ran through the city after the Lord changed Jerusalem.
Jesus looked at all the thousands of men gathered in and around the river. Jesus said, “I have too many men to deliver Rome into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce to the people that anyone who is timid or afraid may turn back and go back into the city.” So thirty two thousand men left, but ten thousand remained.
We watched as they all left and marveled at their unbelief.
We thought that after witnessing what had happened in Jerusalem, all would be ready to march with our Messiah.
But Jesus, still wanting to only bring his chosen said,
“There are still too many men. Take them down into the water, and I will sift them for you there.” So the men went down into the water. Jesus said, “Separate those who took the water in their hands and then lapped the water with their tongues like a dog. Separate them from those who kneel down to drink.”
Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their
mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
Jesus said, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Romans and the whole world into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his place.”
Someone exclaimed, “But Lord, most of these men have never picked up a sword before in their life. How can these be your chosen ones to go with you into battle?”
Jesus said, “I have chosen whom I have chosen. My
strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The disciples sent the rest of the Israelites to their homes, but kept the three hundred. All Israel was watching from the walls.
Jesus turned to them and said, “It is too small a thing that I save Israel with an army, least you say that it was with our hands that we have brought about this victory.
Jesus declared as he pointed toward the three hundred and his disciples, “Behold O Israel, the sign of the water test of Gideon! The whole world will fall into their hands.” The crowd cheered, but some doubted, while others were afraid.