Judges 7:6
And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
The verse belongs to God's deliverance of Israel from Midian through Gideon after seven years of oppression. The Midianites with the Amalekites and the peoples of the east and of the desert came as locusts for multitude with flocks and herds, spreading from the Jordan to the Philistine plain, stripping harvests and robbing the inhabitants. They drove Israel from the open country into walled towns, fortresses, caves and rocky fastnesses, until Israel heeded reproof and confessed sin and God raised up a helper.
At the water God tested Gideon's force and reduced ten thousand to three hundred. He selected the three hundred who lapped for the reduced army through which He would deliver Israel, while sending home all the rest who bowed down upon their knees to drink. Those who could not share undivided commitment to the one great object before them were not suited to remain in their positions, but those intent on it and ready for battle were kept.
Lapping meant hastily scooping water into the hand to the mouth and sucking it up as they went on, eager for immediate advance and unwilling to stop to kneel. The rest bowed on their knees and drank leisurely from the stream, with deliberate preparation and taking their time. The three hundred were so earnest for the battle that they would not stop to kneel by the brook but dipped up water in their hands as they hurried on.
By this simplest means character was tested and revealed. The three hundred were earnest, whole-hearted men with their hearts in the work, intent on the one great object before them and ready for battle. They showed self-control and readiness to keep duty ahead of personal wants, with courage and faith and freedom from idolatry and from indolence and self-indulgence. Those intent on supplying their own wants in time of peril and unable to share that undivided commitment could not be trusted in emergency, for the men of His choice were the few who would not let their own wants delay duty.
The verse teaches that success does not depend on numbers, for God can deliver by few as well as by many. He works through humble instruments and by simple means, and Israel prevailed because in living faith the three hundred followed His special directions in obedience, not because of superior numbers. In this way He prevented Israel from claiming that its own strength, wisdom, or skill had saved it, that glory might be given to God as its source of strength and mighty King. This rebukes pride, self-reliance, self-importance, and self-exaltation, for He is honored not by great numbers but by the character of those who serve Him.
The victory won through Gideon and his three hundred brave associates shows that success rests on God's help working with human effort. It is made effective by whole dependence on Him, entire surrender and humble service, trust in Him, and obedience to His commands. The way God gave the victory to keep the people from crediting human wisdom or strength shows that their desire for a visible human ruler reflected failure to recognize and trust His rule.
Applied to workers in God's cause, the verse means God watches every worker to see whether he is in earnest and carries the burden of souls on his heart, whether he merely touches living interests with the ends of his fingers or grasps them with all his might. He works with and makes mighty only whole-hearted workers, who must be tested and proved and serve with undivided purpose. They wrestle without being denied for souls, and are grateful for souls saved with praise in their hearts and on their lips day and night. They are not lifted up by success and do not fear that another will receive due credit. They must not be faithless and narrow in views and plans, since narrow plans accomplish very little.