The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-29
SUNDAY-SCH0OL
LESSON FOR NOV. 80
GIDEON AND THE THREE HUN
DRED.
Judges vii, 1-S; 1921.
Secretary OF American Society OF Re-
lgious Education.

ed from the fourth son of Abraham by
lteturah (Gen. XIV y. his second wife.
They inhabited a country of considerable
extent in the Sinaitio peninsula to which
Moses fled for IL place of safety, where
he resided until called to lead his people
out OF Egypt Gen. ill., u. They seemed to
have cherished some i'll will towards the
Israeltes during the wandering, for
what reason Is not known, and united
with the Moabtes in trying to induce
Balaam to curse the Hebrews (Numb.
Nxv. 60. TO avenge their doings OH that
occasion the Lord directed Moses TO send
a strong military expedition against them
and many thousands were slain (Numb.
XXI, y. Those who escaped this destruc-
tion afterward greatly increased and for
several years grievously oppressed the
Hebrews after their settlement in Ca
man. Residing at the southeast they
frequently made incursions, disturbing
the people In their peaceful pursuits. To-
days lesson shows how they were finally
conquered, the Lord working miraculous
ly for their destruction.
THE CAMp.-(Verse y. Reference to
this particular invasion is made in the
sixth chapter. In answer to the popu.
lar cry God raised up Gideon as n de-
liverer, and gave him assurances by va
rious signs (Ch. vi, 36-i0) When all
doubts We're removed Gideon summoned
the people who pitched their tents beside
the well of ITerod That well Is believed
to have been the same as u fountain now
called Ain Jalad, which is nearly oppo-
site ShunCm. about Il mile east Of Jes-
reel q Sam. xxx, y, near the center of
Palestine. Robinson Identifies the place,
saying that the water is excellent and
abundant, and that It flows from II cav
crn in the rock which forms TIE base of
Gilboa.' This stretegic point was made
the scene OF many sanguinary conflicts III
Jewish and Grccian history. The Cru
saders and Saracens encampcd there.
Gideon's army took up n position in the
valley south of the Midinn!tes. between
them and their homes. thus preparing for
4. desperate struggle and an utter defeat
for one OF the combatants.
THE TlMID. .--(Verses and y. This
battle was not TO be Il tria! of strength
between Israel and Midian. God intend
eli tn overthrow the enemy even as he
had done in all conflicts in which His peo-
pie had been engaged. He was not will
ing that they should become vain-s s|ori-
Gus, for in that case their hearts would
he turned away from him Deiit. viii. 1O.
That they might not ne led into such
boasting and self-conidence he deter
mined to reduce the number. so that it
should be evident to all that the victory
thirty-two thousand in the army OF Israel
all should be sent home who were timid.
Some doubtless considered the multitudes
OF the NIidianites and their former
achievements Gudge vi. -, and trembled
with fear, while others, apprehending
peril of their position, felt that the enemy
with desperate onslaught would over
whelm them in All ATTEMPT to pass
through the valley homeward. Therefore,
Gideon was directed to proclaim lin the
ears of the people" that al! who were
afraid might return. There remained ton
thousand brave hearted men.
THE TRIAL.--tverses 4, >. u. These
were still too many for Gods purpose. 1t
may be that some who had declared their
bravery were after all of that kind who
trust in themselves and think little of an
overwhelming Providence Ten Thousand
men might boast in the ho,Ir OF victory
and claim themselves to be heroes. Tho
army must be fIrtle" reduced. until all
should know that the battle was won by
Divine power Il Sam. xiv, o., and God
should have all the glory. course of
Divine selection was appointed. The pee
pie We're ordered to pass down by the
spring and God would designate to Gideon
the men whom he had chosen. The great
searcher of all hearts might thus secure
those who suited his purpose (Acts i. oD.
a sign was agreed upon. known only 10
God and tiideon-the men who Iapped
like dogs in drinking were to be taken
That act was a hasty one indicating that
the persons We're not weary o. that they
did not take much time to satisfy their
thirst that in fact they were eager to en-
gage in the conflict, unwilling to delay
long for their own comfort. Three hun
drcd such men were found.
rrt
Lord has discovered his chosen ones.
Three hundred men by whom host is
to be subdued! Three hundred men, out
of all who first responded to the call ana
rallied about the leader! Ey, these II
Will save you' said the Almighty. Let
all the other people 60" That was cleo
ton. Thousands dismissed gather up
their belongings and depart. the second
great body sent away from the battle
field. Wen might il be inquired why any
We're retained. With some sudden burst
OF natural forces these multitudes spread
over the plain, might have been ami
hiiated. But 1t pleased God to Join men
in the achievement, He would save by
means OF men, He would make them
partners with him Q. Cor. Iii, o. Three
hundred men shall be the witnesses OF
Divine display of power, rchearsing to
their fellows what God did BY their
lips 1t shall be known in Israel, not that
men conquered, not that nature over
whelmed, but that God interposed in be-
half OF his people and delivered them
from their foes.
THE PLAN.-tVerse lG.) An interest
ing story, told in verses nine to fifteen is
omitted from our study BY this it ap-
pears that after Gideon had secured his
little band he went by Gods direction
TO the Midianitish camp and overheard
one OF the soldiers who told a dream to
his fellow which was interpreted as an
open victory for Israel. Without further
delay Gideon planned an attack, the
dueerest ever known In warfare. either
ancient or modern, There We're no spears
OF swords or other instruments given to
the men, such as We're used in the battles |
OF those times. Instead each man re-
ceived n trumpet and an empty pitcher in
which fire WAS placed. And then the lit |
lie army was divided into three parts, one |
hundred 10 division, with something of |
military appearance tI sam. 81, y, after |
the fashion of great military achieve
ments Such planning Is enough To pro-
oltc smile. In our day it would sub
ject The commander to rldicuie. Indeed,
q company OF boys would not conduct |
themselves On this wise even in their |
play. But the plan was further proof |
hat the battle would be the lords,