Definition: And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 6:16. It’s a really powerful statement about God’s involvement in a specific situation. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is promising to actively help the Israelites (and those who are being attacked by the Midianites) defeat the enemy. He’s saying, “I will be with you and you can strike them down.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD said unto him…” : This is a direct address to Moses, one of the judges overseeing the Israelites at this point. It's a way for God to communicate directly with him. “…surely I will be with thee…” : This means He’s going to be present and help. It’s not just a promise; it’s an assurance of His presence. "...and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.” : This is the key part. “Smite” means to defeat, destroy, or overcome. "The Midianites" are the people who were attacking Israel – specifically, they were harassing them and threatening their land. “As one man” emphasizes that God intends for this action to be a unified effort with a single, decisive attack. What does it mean practically? This verse suggests a strategic plan: 1. God’s Protection: He’s safeguarding the Israelites from immediate danger. 2. Military Assistance: He's providing them with a powerful ally – himself – to defeat the enemy. 3. Unified Action: It implies that God wants this battle to be handled by a coordinated effort, rather than just individual battles. Context is important: This verse comes after a period of conflict where the Midianites have been causing trouble for Israel. It's a moment of great hope and divine intervention. In short, it’s a declaration that God is actively intervening to protect and defeat a hostile force. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this verse in the larger story of the Old Testament? Give you some examples of how this verse might be interpreted from a theological perspective?