[Don W]

Actually, none at all even though I, too, have heard several sermons on this indicating that the so-called “lappers” were more ready for battle then the others—I think that this is a bunch of baloney. I believe that because there were a lot more “kneelers” then “lappers” (as about 10,000 to 300), the LORD Jehovah chose the 300 men simply because He wanted all the glory for the victory and not have the Israelites believe it was because of their number of soldiers was why they had victory over the Midianites. With human reasoning, it still didn’t make sense to the Israelites, but with faith in what God was doing, they were about to find out that He is the Lord over all the earth! When we, too, trust in Him and see His victory in our lives, we know that He is Lord over everything and everybody! Amen!

[sahala p.s.]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

I think the selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers" is the selecting that is not related with the matter of virtue, but it is a God’s means to select. Of course there might be a certain parameter of quality that God used to select who are better between the lappers and the kneelers in the way they drink water. It is maybe the dignity of man. Man is different from dog in the way of drinking water.

[brotherbill]

I am thinking that in a community that had so many ritual cleansings and purifications, to put your face to the water and "lap" it up like a dog might make you somewhat of an undesirable or at least kind of heathenistic to others. The ones who brought the water to their mouth with their hands might have seemed the "best" soldiers as they were always on guard even while getting a drink.
So God settled on 300 of the least likely soldiers for Gideon to lead into this battle. Once again proving himself strong on behalf of his people.
So there are no doubt as to who is God! Let us never doubt as well.

God Bless!

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

[Robin D]

I'm not sure I get the significance. I know it was God's instructions, so there must be a purpose. Perhaps God wanted the army's size so small that there wouldn't be any question as to who was responsible for overtaking the Midianites. They would have to give God the glory.

[Barbara1]

The kneelers had their face in the water while the lappers were upright and could see what was going on around them.

[paulcrf]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

Drinking from the hands is more refined or appropriate way of putting something into our mouth. It allows you to choose the clean water to take unlike drinking directly(kneeling) from the river. Besides, our hands were made to assist the mouth. That's the purpose of God in giving us five fingers and wide palms.

Our behavior is the reflection of our heart. Kneelers behave like animals. Drinking directly with our mouth is not appropriate for a man. God is concerned with what is inside our heart than what other see from outside.

[josephh]

The lappers it seems took and drank only what was needed to quinch their thirst before battle, they lived hand to mouth. The kneelers consumed more than needed, they drank till their bellies were full and were not as focused on the battle.

[Jen]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

Matthew Henry says "These men" (the lappers) lapped up water like a dog because they were after the Midianites and not after the water. They will drink after the battle is over." God know men and their hearts and He knows how to fight the battles. He knows how to weed out what will hinder His plans and purposes.

God Bless!
Jen
Numbers 6:24-26

[Loisb]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

The lappers were alert of any danger or attacks, while the kneelers seemed to be comfortable that they were safe instead of in a battle.

[Pamela Harms]

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

This was an army to fight. God was looking for people who was willing to put the flesh down, be hasty to do what God has called them to do. He wanted hardy people who would rely on Him for their refreshment. "Lappers" drink and go, not thinking of the next drink.

Kneelers may tend to take their time, delay the process and procrastinate, being disobedient in the end.

[marca]

I don't see significance in choosing lappers over kneelers. It appears to me that God has chosen this random method for picking the army just because it has so little to do with the victory. It's just a way of using simple things to confound the wise and give everyone no choice but to say the battle was won by God. If there was a significance, wouldn't that just be another form of men trying to take the glory for the battle from God?

[rhfrost]

Pastor Ralph, on 24 January 2003 - 12:23 PM, said:

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?

So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.” 6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water.

Holding reference for the gift of water and not a entitlement

[rhfrost]

sahala p.s., on 23 August 2008 - 10:33 PM, said:

<!--quoteo(post=638:date=Jan 24 2003, 05:23 PM:name=Pastor Ralph)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pastor Ralph @ Jan 24 2003, 05:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=638"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think the selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers" is the selecting that is not related with the matter of virtue, but it is a God’s means to select. Of course there might be a certain parameter of quality that God used to select who are better between the lappers and the kneelers in the way they drink water. It is maybe the dignity of man. Man is different from dog in the way of drinking water.

Praise the Lord. Accepting God's Grace is the first item to the blind faith we seek and not the physical entitelment, or que sera sera happen stance of luck of life.

[rhfrost]

Loisb, on 04 June 2009 - 06:02 PM, said:

<!--quoteo(post=638:date=Jan 24 2003, 01:23 PM:name=Pastor Ralph)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pastor Ralph @ Jan 24 2003, 01:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=638"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The lappers were alert of any danger or attacks, while the kneelers seemed to be comfortable that they were safe instead of in a battle.

Praise the Lord. Accepting God's Grace is the first item to the blind faith we seek and not the physical entitelment, or que sera sera happen stance of luck of life.