The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-11-27
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lessen Comments For
November 30.
Subject: Gideon and the Three Hundred, Judg
es VII, Is, l6-zl-- Golden Text. Pss. IiS,
3-Memory Verses, 2, 3-commen-
tary on the Days Lessen.

Gideon the deliverer. Gideon was man
OF an honorable birth and a good character
The angel OF the Lord called him, AMI al
ter Gideon satisfied himself that it was
really God calling him be called the people
together and prepared for the battle.
]. "Well of Harod." Or fountain oil
trembling. Probably the large fountain at
the northern base OF Mount Gilboa IL is
large pool forty or fifty feet in diameter,
and from it flows, down the valley, east
ward, stream strong enough to turn
mill. "IIill OF Moreh." Nothing is known
of the hill Of Moreh beyond the fact that it
could not be the place mentioned in Gen.
IL: and Deut. IL 30
2 "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 to trust and obey God. BY
the manner in which this whole transac.
ton was conducted both the Israelites and
Midianites must see that the thing was Of
God. This would inspire the 1sraelites
with confidence and fill their enemies with
fear.
g. Fearful and afraid" The army was
subjected to two tests. The first test was
the permission for all who were afraid TO
go home. This bidding the cowardly de
part lest they should intimidate the res,
was commanded even in the law. Deut.
20: 8. "From Mount Gilead." A difficulty
arises here. as the Israeites were now al
Mount Gilboa on the west of the Jordan
and Mount Gilead is on the east of the
Jordan. Ii has been suggested. !. That
the text may be corrupted and that Gilead
should read Gilboa. 2. That there may
have been another Gilead on the west OF
the Jordan. 3. That possibly the text
should read, Whosoever from Mount Gil
cad is fearful and afraid let him return
home.
d. "Unto the water" That il, the foun.
tain Harod and the stream that flowed
from it. will try them" The word try
which occurs here signifies to test by fire
as the re6ner tests silver.
5. "Lappeth-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 a little
into their mouth as they stood Thus it
seems most probable that Gideon was di.
reeted to choose those who Tapped as being
men Injured to warfare. who drank while
standing to guard against surprise by the
enemy.
8. Upon their knees" Thus they would
be in an exposed position before an enemy.
These were sent home.
7. "By the 3OO.' Why so small nun.
Der chosen? /. That the Israelites might
know that the victory was from God. 9.
To show them that the God Of their faith.
ers was unchanged and still able to do
great things for them. 3. To shame nd
humble His people because of their past
sins. T. To lead the people to love and
worship God
s. yictuals-trumpets." The 300 men
took what victuals were necessary, to.
gether with the trumpets.
9-l5. 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 Midianitish
host. He did so, and heard a dream told
OF barley cake overturning Midianitish
tent. which was interpreted to mean that
the Midianites were to be delivered into
Cideon's hand.
l6 Unto three companies" Great ar.
mics were generally divided into three
parts that is, the right wing, the left wing
and the body of the army. This army was
great in faith Gideon was in command OF
one division. The Midanites had long been
terror to Israel and now they were to be
overcome by terror.
H. "And do likewise" Gideon became
the example to all his army. As he wa:
faithful, so would they be in following him
He made his descent in the night. when
army being small would not be observed
Here is seen the wisdom of having no more
that are calculated to make a success.
10. middle watch" At midnight. An.
GENTLY the Israelites seem to have divided
the night into three watches evening,
adopted from the Romans the custom OF
four watches.
20. "Blew the trumpets." There was
perfect concert in their attack. Brake
the pitchers" By concealing the lamps in
the pitchers they could pass unobserved
until they reached the guard of the INDIAN
itish camp, and by treaking them all al
glare on the sleeping company the enemy
would be greatly terrified. "They cried"
Their loud shouts would add to the terror
already awakened by the sound OF trum
pets and the glaring light "The sword ol
The Lord, and Of Gideon" Gideon puts
the Lords name first, for by His power
only. >ould this attack be made. These
words would give courage to the 800 men
to know that they went out under she di
rection of the great God, and with such q
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
noise blowing trumpets and breaking the
earthen pitcher. (2) BY the sudden glare
OF light, which would be as a streak OF
lightning. l3) Besides the noise Of trum.
pets he added shouting, calling attention
to God and His chosen instrument as lead.
er in this attack. By this sudden surprise
at midnight the people would be terribly
alarmed and naturally conclude them.
selves surrounded by 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 a 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, aud cried, and
fled" The Midianites were so perfectly
confused that there was no order preserved
and every one acted according 20 his feel
ings of terror Thus the battle went on
among Midianites, and Israel stood by and
watched their own victory without using q
sword The terrified people ran in a fu.
multi and fought each other madly, not
knowing friend from foe. God directed the
battle and used His own way to deliver