The answer is: 32000

Judges 7:3

The tale of Gideon in the Book of Judges is a fascinating journey of bravery and divine reassurance. Initially gathering a sizeable army of 32,000 volunteers, Gideon felt ready to take on the oppressive Midianites. Now, here’s the fun twist—God instructed him to downsize! You might think, “What? Why cut the teamwork?” But the divine strategy reveals a common theme throughout scripture: reliance on faith over sheer numbers. This fits into the larger narrative of judges and their uniquely empowered missions.

After a series of testings, only 300 remained. Talk about a major reassessment! It's interesting to note the significance of the number 300—it reflects faith standing tall against overwhelming odds. Those few mighty men, armed only with trumpets and torches, ended up symbolizing God's extraordinary power in humble settings.

Trivia alert: Did you know that the Midianites feared the very reputation of Israel principally because of their historical victories? This context of fear almost sets the stage for God's unbelievable act, where an unlikely victor delivers His people with not soldiers, but strategy. Gideon's story echoes throughout history as a reminder that great things often arise from unexpected beginnings. Just like the smallness of David facing Goliath, it’s often in the unlikeliest of circumstances that significant transformations happen. Keep that tucked away for future encouragement!