The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-10
SUNDAY MEDITATION

SOltbAAA Az 49,
A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Oct.
13, 1895.
Subject: The Triumph OF Gideon. judi,
1:13-23.
lone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated aboye.I
INTRODUCTION.
MANY persons lose much benefit, which they
might otherwise get, from studying the Bible,
by mere oubbling.
Henry b. Roberts said wise words: There
NAV be seeming discrepancies in the Bible that
] cannot explain, hut am not going TO lose
nv soul because / do not know whether there
were %. 900 or $4,000 Hittite5 killed in some
old battle"
Washington GLADDEN. has the following to
saw as to how to make the Bible of most use:
The question is, whether the Bible is helping
YOU to do right every day; whether its intlu-
ence upon you tends to make you more truthful,
more gentle. more upright, more pure, more
helpful. more just, more patient, more brave.
If you are using il so as to get such revenue
as this out of it for yourself and for others,
you are using it in the right way"
G1DEoN's TRIUMPH.
Data.
Jud, 7:I3-23. One should read the IL verses
preceding.
A. NJ. 2759, or B. G. 1916.
Place.
The Midianites were encamped in the plain
OF distraction.
We can get an idea of the scene from an &C
count given by a Palestine traveller. He wrote:
ave were out upon the vast plain of Esdra-
elon. and surrounded by places of especial
Scripture importance. Let me sketch the view.
We were looking north. Spread out before rs,
and stretching away to the bills of Galilee, was
one OF the largest and richest plains in all the
world. From west to east it sweeps from the
Mediterranean to the Jordan, distance of about
so miles This morning Esdraeon was cover
ed with young grain and grass and wild
flowers like soft and variegated carpet. Herds
of cattle and horses and 1ocks of sheep and
goats dotted the level fields and the slOping
hil-sides; while olive groves springing up in
every favorable place, gave welcome variety
to the scene. To our right, and just back OF
us on the southeastern edge of the plain, was
u. "a.
where Saul and Jonathan met their untimely
DEATH Directly east of the plain sloped
down to the valley of the Jordan, and beyond
were the mountains of Moab rising like an
extended battlement their tops crowned with
snow.
Immediately in front OF us, on projecting
SPUR of Gilboa was the site of ancient Jczreol,
the capital of Ahab and his wicked Queen. and
the scene alike of their cruelty and their retri-
button. few miles further our eyes rested
upon Little Hermon, rising like a wstchful sem
tinel in the midst of the plain. On its south
eastern slope IS Shunem. where Elijah restored
the child to life. On the opposite or northern,
slope of Little Hermon are Endor and Main,
while away in the dim distance, behind
sharp ridge, which belongs to the Galileean
chain. forming the nofthern boundary of
Esdraclon, ncstles the pretty city of Nazareth.
On our left was Mt. Carmel, it's long ridge
skirting tho plain and its bold promontory
jutting out into the Mediterranean"
The Crcnmstances.
Gideon was son Of Joash-tribe Of Manasseh
resident of Ophrah--a hnsbandman. The
Israeltes were in great straits and needed
deliverer God called on ideon to undertake
the work OF rescue. Gideon hesitated. but
God gave him miraculous evidence of the
divineness OF the CALI Gideon appeals for
forces and soon had an army of $4,000. They
marched 10 the scene Of coming conflict. IN
opportunity is given for any who feel faint
hearted to return home. Only 10000 keep the
field. These are further Trimmed out till only
800 remain. But the enemy seemed countless.
V. u. Gideon, accompanied by Phurah, APP
proaches the enemys camp and overhears
dream which reinforces the courage OF Gideon.
He hits on plan of attack. The Mideanites
are deceived. Midnight and imagination did
the work of demoraizing them. Gideon was
victorious.
do in MT all
The torches were invisibe-hidden in the
pitchers. All Of a sudden. in the darkness, 300
trnmpeis gave blast and 300 torches glowed
and 300 tongues shouted: THE sword OF the
Lord and Of Gideon" CT. VS.. IA and 20.
MEDITATION FOR Der. 20.
Preliminary.
Paulus Cassel wrote: 1.-The little Book of
Ruth consists Of only So verses, but these in
close garden of roses as fragrant and full OF
mystic calyxes as those which the modern
traveller still finds blooming and twining about 4
the solitary ruins of Israel and Moab, this side
the Jordan and beyond"
The Book of Ruth is sequel to Judges and in
PRODUCTION to ] Samuel. 1T is hence link. lt
connects the Government of the lsraelites by
Judges with the Monarchy. 1t furnishes the
geueology of David from Abraham. Ruth is
introduced into the ancestry OF Christ Often
the Book of Ruth is called an Appendix of
a.
into the Hebrew Church was perturbation
OF the broadening of the lsraelitish fold by the
incoming of the Gentiles. The doctrine most
emphasized by the Book of Ruth is that OF
Providence-the interest of God in human
affairs.
Outline of Book Of Ruth.
!. When written2 b. c. 1850.
2. Where? Jerusalem.
3. Author? God.
a. Amanuensis2 Samuel.
5. How data gotten2 Pet, 81.
6. LanguageY Hebrew.
z. Time covered2 10 years.
s. Meaning OF tho word Ruth2 Satisfied.
8. Number Of chapters? a.
10. Number of verses2 80.
il. Middle verse? 2:2l.
l.. Number OF letters2
-. Year of received English translation ?
1920.
IA. Sections2 3.
ID. Old Testament references to Ruth2
16. New Testament references to Ruth?
IL. Order of Ruth as q Book of tho Bibls7
Eighth
1S. Literary class of book2 Historical.
10. Order of historical book2 Third.
90. Principal male characters? Elimelech,
Mahlou, Chifiea, Boaz, Obed.
81. Principal fenIate scharacters2 Naomi,
Ruth, Orpah.f e.
Notes sk sgstlinc.