Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-11-29
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments Fo,
November 80.
Subj:c': Gideon and the Three Hun fred. Judg
cs VII. is. lo.2l-G Golden Text Pisa. lis,
3-Memory Verses. 2. 5-Commen.
tary OF the Days Lesson.

NrlNtOU the ueIlNeTGT. hlAltb.i NdS u IilaAt
OF an honorable birth and a good character.
The angel of the Lord called him, and at
ter Gideon satisfied himself that it was
really God calling him he called the people
together and prepared for the battle.
!. "Well of Harold" Or fountain of
trembling. Probably the large fountain at
the northern base OF Mount Gilboa. 1t is
a large pool forty or fifty feet in diameter,
and from it flows, down the valley. east
ward, stream strong enough to turn a
mill Hill OF Moreh' Nothing is known
OF the hill OF Moreh beyond the fact that it
could not be the place mentioned in Gen.
T.: and Deut II: 80.
y. TOO many" The object of this de-
liverance from God was not chiefly to save
the farms and crops from the Midianites.
but to save the people from their sins and
to teach them 10 trust and obey God by
the manner in which this whole transac-
tion was conducted both the Israeites and
AEdiaates must see that the thing was OF
Cod. This would inspire the lsraelites
with confidence ard fill their enemies with
fear.
s Fearful and afraid The army was
subjected to two tests. The first test was
the permission for all who We're afraid to
90 home This bidding the cowardly de-
part lest they should intmidate the rest
was commanded even in the law. Deut.
%: 3. From Mount Gilead." \ difficulty
arises here. as the Israel:tes were now ut
Mourt Giiboa on the west of the Jordan
and Mount Gilead is on the east of the
Jordan. 1t has been suggested. !. That
the text may he corrupted and that Gilead
should read Gilboa > That there MAJ
have been another Gi!ead on the west of
the Jordan. 2. That possibly the text
should read. WEosoever from Mount Gil
cad is fearful and afraid, let him return
home
4. Unto the water" That is. the foun.
from it. will try them" The word try
which occurs here signifies to test by fire,
as the refiner tests silver.
5. "LaDpeth-as a dog" The second
test was for the remaining 10000. Three
hundred did not break rank or stop in
their march. but dipped their followed
palm into the stream and tossed little
into their mouth as they stood. Thus it
SEEMS most probable that Gideon was d.
rected to choose those who lapred as being
men Injured to warfare. who drank while
standing to guard against surprise by the
enemy.
6. Upon their knees" Thus they would
be in an exposed position before an enemy.
These were sent home.
7. by the 300" Why so small num-
her chosen? /. That the Israelites might
know that the victory was from God. 9.
To show them that the God of their faith
great things for them. 3. To shame nd
humble His people because of their past
sins. 4. To lead the people to love and
worship God.
s. Victuals-trumpets." The 300 men
took what victua,s were necessary, to-
gether with the trumpess.
OILS. There was danger that even the
stout hearts OF Gideon and his 300 heroes
might quail at their perilous position. there
fore one more encouragement is given
them. Gideon was told TO take his servant
by night and go down to the Midian;tish
host. He did so. and heard a dream told
of barley cake overturning a Midianitish
tent. which was interpreted to mean that
the Mdiantes were to be delivered into
Gideon's hand.
l6. Into three companies" Great ar.
mics were generally divided into three
parts. that Is. the right wing. the LETT wing
and the body OF the army. This army was
great in faith. Gideon was in command OF
one division. The Midianites had long been
terror to Israel and now they were to be
overcome by terror.
IL. And do likewise" Gideon became
the example to all his army. As he was
faithful. so would they be in following him.
He made his descent in the night. when
his enemies would least expect it. His
army. being small would not be observed.
Here Is seen the wisdom of having no more
that are calculated to make a success.
IS. Middle watch" At midnight. An
cientiy the Israelites seem to have divided
the night into three watches evening.
midnight and morning watches. Later they
adopted from the Romans the custom OF
four watches.
% Blew the trumpets" There was
perfect concert in their attack. Brake
the pitchers BY conccaling the lamps in
the pitchers theY could pass unobserved
until they reached the guard OF the INDIAN
itsh camp, and bY breaking them all at
once. ard letting the light from 900 torches
glare on the sleeping company the enemy
would be greatly terrified. ''Thev cried"
Their loud shouts would add to the terror
already awakened by the sound of trum-
pets and the glaring light. The sword of
the Lord. and of Gideon" Gideon puts
the Lords name first. fo- By His power
only could this attack be made. These
words would give courage to the 300 men
to know that they went out under the di-
rection OF the great God, and with such a
leader as Gideon. God was gaining this
victory. but He used Gideon and his men
as chosen instruments. We see three ways
here used by Gideon to terrify his enc.
mics: ~ He. with his men. made great
nose blowing trunnetS ana DfeakIng the
earthen pitcher. (o) By the sudden glare
of light, which would be as a streak of
lightning. f3) Besides the noise of trum.
pets he added shouting. calling attention
to God and His chosen instrument as lead
or in this attack. BY this sudden surprise
at midnight the people would he terribly
alarmed. and naturally conclude them
selves surrounded by a great army.
81. Every man in his place Seeing
the company with lights and blowing trum-
pets keep in place the Midianites would
conclude they were 4 great army. whose
men were now already in their camp. The
army of Israel did not come to fight Their
work was to sound the trumpets. hold the
lights and shout. Ran, and cried. and
fled" The Aiidianites were so perfectly
confused that there was no order preserved
and every one acted according to his feel.
ings of terror Thus the battle went on
among Midianites, and Israel stood by and
watched their own victory without using a
sword The terrified people ran in tn.
mutt and fought each other madly, not
knowing friend from foe. God directed the
battle and used His own way to deliver
His people from their enemies. The vic.
tory was complete.
Justice Gray and the Lawyers.
Judge Gray sought to continue wha
he called the old regime" the solemn