The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-05

flame to come out of rock and consum
ing the kid-meat and unleavened cakes
which Gideon had prepared as repast
for the tarrying traveller. Whether this
was an act of magic on the part of the
prophet, or whether the narrative has
received this addition from the popular
imagination in the course of transmits
sion, is matter for conjecture. We may
be sure. in any case, that there was in
the occurrence no transgression of nat
ural law.
The same is true in regard to the
omen of the fleece. which Gideon also
credited as sign of victory. When he
had accepted his mission and had sum-
moned the loyal men from Asher and
Zebulon and Naphtali, he is said to
have put fleece of wool on the thresh-
ing floor, saying within himself that If
dew fell on the fleece only while it re-
manned dry Oh the contiguous ground,
that he would receive it as sign that
God could save Israel. We are told that
the fleece was moistened by the dew and
the ground was dry. But Gideon was
not satisfied. He asked that the sign be
reversed, that the fleece be left dry and
the surrounding ground be wet with
dew, And 80 he believed it was. That
Gideon had such confidence in omens is
not remarkable. Such love of omens,
and half trust in them, is fashion
among intelligent people not entirely
out of date even in our day.
There came, in answer to the summons
Of Gideon, an army of thirty two thou
sand men. The place of rendezvous
the Spring Of Harod, was not far from
the camp of the Midianites. 1t was, we
may suspect, a motley crowd that re-
sponded to Gideon's appeal. Men habit
uated to skulking could not have made
a very brilliant military appearance.
The number, thirty two thousand, seems
imposing; but when we have gathered
from the subsequent record the fact that
the Midianites numbered at least a
hundred and twenty thousand warriors,
we do not see promising prospect Of
Israel prevailing in pitched battle.
Gideon assured the assembled Israel
ties that there was daring and desper-
ate work to be done, and he invited all
those who we're doubtful about them
selves to refrain from volunteering in
the critical enterprise. Twenty two
thousand of his army needed his invita-
ton.
But the ten thousand volunteers were
too many. Gideon proposed to conquer
the invaders with CONSERVATION; and
his unique plan actually required but
three hundred men.
Gideon's method Of winnowing his ten
thousand, to obtain from them the req
uisite three hundred, is noteworthy.
He ordered the whole army, when tired
and thirsty, to march through stream
Of water probably one of the western
tributaries Of the Jordan. The plan of
choice, as evolved from Gideon's mind,
was this: EUery one that lappeth of the
aoater aoith has tongue as dog lappeth,
him shalt thou set by himself; hkesoise
every one that boaoeth doaon upon his
knees to drink. The Hebrew word for
tapping (yaIok) is said to be itself, when
pronounced like the noise of dog while
drinking. 1t is said that the modern
Hebrews understand that the tempta-
ton of the water to the marching soldi-
ers, to kneel and drink, would reveal
whether they were accustomed to bow
to idols; it being the fashion for idolators
to kneel and for Israelites to stand in
the exercise of worship. 1t is said that
readiness to kneel. rather than scorn of
the attitude made odious to the true
Israelites by the idolators, would serve
to distinguish from among the others
those who had not bowed their knees to
Baal. But reason more apparent and
plausible why this test was instituted is
that it would. without question, show
the discipline of the soldiers. Those
who, when hurrying in ranks through
the cooling stream, would kneel and
quench their thirst. could be expected
to habitually indulge themselves in self
qualification; while those who would not
slacken their pace nor fall upon their
knees. but lap the water with their
hand while passing, would demonstrate
that they were disciplined soldiers.
Such men could be trusted to obey
orders when they faced death.
The number of them that Tapped, put
ting their hand to their mouth, ,0as
three hundred men. and the Lord said
unto Gideon, By the three hundred men
that Tapped aoiU 1 SAGE you, and deliUer
the Mididnites into thine hand: and
let all the people go every man unto has
place. Those soldiers who were not
chosen for the desperate venture, as we'll
as the twenty two thousand before not
chosen were, observe, not sent to their
homes. but to their tents. They were
held in reserve, having place in this
remarkable strategy of Gideon.
1. Gideon Accepts a Soldiers
Dream as an Omen of Success, =
VS.. 1875.
Having disposed his whole force in such
- L - L =