Afterward, when the Lord would deliver Israel from the Midianites and the Amalekites, who came upon their land “as grasshoppers for multitude,” and destroyed the increase of the earth, leaving “no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass,” the Lord sent an angel to Gideon. This son of Joash was reduced to the extremity of threshing out a little wheat and hiding it from his enemies. When the angel notified him that he should deliver Israel, Gideon with astonishment inquired, “Wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 40Judges 6:4, 5, 15 This same humble, poor man went out with his three hundred men, with their simple lamps and pitchers (an action which would seem like foolishness to finite judgment), and making God their strength, they gained a mighty victory. Previous to the deliverance, Gideon might have uttered a lamentation like that of the prophet Amos when he inquired, “By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.” 41Amos 7:2 GSAM 34.1