Dora Bas Rivka Silver O'H Thinning the Herd Gideon's army was
too large for G-d's tastes. Yes, the army was too LARGE. G-d
wanted it to be clear that the victory was in no way a natural
occurrence and, while it is unlikely that 32,000 Jews would
defeat 135,000 Midianites, it is not outside the realm of
possibility. G-d told Gideon to send home whoever was afraid of
battle. 22,000 people went home, leaving 10,000 to fight 135,000
Midianites. You know what? Still too many. G-d had Gideon bring
the soldiers to the water to drink. Those who bent down to the
water like dogs were sent home. Those who scooped water up
remained. 300 remained. (300 Jews versus 135,000 Midianites?
THAT'S more like it!) Gideon and his attendant went down to the
Midianite camp where they heard one of the enemy soldiers
relating a dream to his friend. In his dream, a roasted loaf of
barley bread rolled into their camp and knocked over a tent. The
other Midianite interpreted the dream to mean that G-d has
delivered them into Gideon's hands