Isaiah 41:10

No one could have mistaken the ancient Babylonian soldiers for gentlemen. They were ruthless, resilient,
and vicious, and they attacked other nations the way an eagle overtakes its prey. Not only were they
powerful, they were prideful as well. They practically worshiped their own combat abilities. In fact, the
Bible says that their “strength [was] their god” (Hab. 1:11).

God did not want this kind of self-reliance to infect Israel’s forces as they prepared to battle the
Midianites. So He told Gideon, Israel’s army commander, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver
Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me’ ” (Judg. 7:2).
As a result, Gideon discharged anyone who was fearful. Twenty-two thousand men hightailed it home,
while 10,000 fighters stayed. God continued to downsize the army until only 300 men remained (vv. 3-7).