The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1915-01-22
NTFpNETIONM,
SUNMSGOOL
LESSON
CBy z. 0. SELLERS Acting Director OF
Sunday School Course Moody Bible In
stitute, Chicago)
LESSON FOR JANUARY "a
GIDEON AND THE THREE HUN
DRIED.

LESSON TEXT-Judges 7:1-S 1923.
GOLDEN TEXT-NOt by might, nor by
power but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah Of
osts.-Zech 4:6, r. V.
This was the period Of IsraePs
transition from a nomadic to an ag-
riculturaI life. The record we have
is an alternate succession Of idolatry
and subfugation with a return to Je-
b0E.h and to liberty.
g. Gideon and All the People," W..
49, Rallying about him his clansmen
Gideon chose a position at the spring
of Harod near Jezreel, his back to Mt.
GiIboa and the Midianites to the north
next to Mt. Moreh. He thus con
trolcj the fords of the Jordan and
could prevent the enemy from return
ine to their homes in the desert coun-
try. Outwardly the great discrepancy
of numbers made the situation look
dubious for Israel, but in reality the
danger was that the army was too
large since when the victory was
gained they might 'vaunt themselves"
individuals and churches usually
count their strength according to num-
bers. (See II Cor. 12:9D If we desire
Gods strength it must be as we our
selves are weak (Isa 40:29). God Is
sometimes limited by having too many
and not enough of the right sort.
When God delivers he leaves no room
for boasting (Eph. 2:8, 8; Rom. 3:2O.
God can save as we'll by the few as
by the many Il Samuel 1850, and fire.
quently uses the weak and despised
things to confound the mighty Il Cor.
1927. 28), that mo flesh should glory
in his presence q Cor. 1920. These
were two tests whereby Gideon was
to select his warriors: Cd Go to,
proclaim whosoever is fearful
let him return" ". 81. It is
not we'll to criticize too severely the
$4,000 who returned; even in the Gar
den not only Peter, but all the disci-
pies forsook the Master and fed. God
does not choose men because they are
heroes, but to make heroes Of them
by the power of his might. (2) There
is yet another Sitting God gives Gid
con the clue ". A., viz, to decide by
their method of drinking. Those who
drank las dog lappeth," were those
not to be taken off guard even while
drinking
II. Gideon's Second Assurance, w.
9-15. 1t was absurd, humanity speak
ing for 300 men to expect to defeat
1856, 600. God strengthened" Gideon
". IL. Gideon and Phurah at Gods
command, entered the valley and drew
near the Midianite host. Avoiding the
guard, if any, they drew near enough
to hear a man telling his dream to
his fellow" The latter interprets
this as nothing else than the Sword
of Gideon" w. 14). Gideon worshiped
God and at once returned to arouse
the camp of Israel.
~. The Sword of the Lord and Of
Gideon, w. 1923. In all probability
these men wore their usual weapons
as soldiers and carried food for their
use in pursuing the enemy. However,
for this midnight attack they needed
only three weapons, lamps, pitchers
and trumpets. Each Of these have a
spiritual suggestion for the Christian. .
(See Matt. 25:4; Ps. 119:105; also II ,
Cor. 49, Z, and Eek. 1878, 6; l. Cor
14;SD Gideon's stratagem of dividing
his men into three companies and
then as the pitchers are broken to
blow~the trumpet caused lively panic
90 NFdian'foe THAT Gideon
H-a an n'w5aE. and