Evening star., 1915-01-16

circumstances. Israel forced like the
Covenanters of Scotland and the Wal
denses of Italy to find refuge" in the
mountain caves to protect themselves
from the border warfare of robbery
and murder similar to that which
years ago existed along the Scotch
English border and in the days Of the
early settlers along the Mexico-Texas
border, the nations condition was a
subject that filled Gideon. who. unlike
his father. was loyal to Jehovah. with
despair because of the idolatry and
iniquity of his countrymen. His eau
tious nature challenged at first as un-
believable the words of the stranger:
The Lord is with thee. thou mighty
man of valor." The devout man. who
did not for moment consider that he
was worthy of any special distinction
because of the subordinate place he
held among his people. with whose for
tunes he identified himself, revealed
his patriotism and religious spirit by
asking the mysterious stranger to eN-
plain the sufferings of Israel. The un-
known messenger of Jehovah turned
to him and reaffirmed his call by say
ing: Go in this, thy might. and save
Israel from the hand of Midan." An
other natural objection against his
undertaking the task to which he had
been called was the impoverished con-
dition Of his family and military divi-
brought him the promise of divine
power and help united with definite
command: Surely I will be with thee.
and thou shalt smite the Midianites as
one man.. The summons was definite
call to be the deliverer of his nation.
but Gideon desired some evidence that
the call was from Jehovah and not
from man. Jehovah revealed Himself
to the cautious yet courageous farmer
whom He had called.
Revelation, Reformation.
Gideon believed in the old axiom. BE
sure you are right and then go ahead"
go he asked for sign to prove that he
mad been commissioned of God. He de-
sired and requested the privilege, if the
commission was from God, to make an
Offering from his poverty of a meal
When the offer had been accepted and
Gideon had returned to serve with be-
coming Difference and courtesy the meal
that he had prepared, God revealed
Himself to the new judge of Israel.
After the smoking flesh had been placed
by Gideon upon a rock with the un-
leavened bread and the broth poured
over 1t, as requested, Jehovah touched
the food with His staff. with the result
that Immediately there issued jets OF
fire from the stone that consumed the
caller was none other than God. Fear
filled his soul, for the one who
Gods face. in the Old Testament dis
pensation, was in danger of death. The
Lord comforteth him with the assur-
ance of peace, promising him that he
would not die because he had seen the
Lord. From that hour Gideon was
ready to obey the divine call to service.
His first work. like ours, must start
in the home circle. Before Israel could
be free from her enemies the nation
must be cleansed from idolatry. Cid
con did not finch when Jehovah de-
manded that he erect an altar in His
honor and destroy the affairs of Baal
He destroyed the wooden shrines of his
family and neighbors that night Re-
formers are not popular men. The COM
munity would have destroyed the young
reformer's life the next day if the fa-
gloried in his achievements, and gave
him a new name. Jerrubbaal, Let Baal
hee." The success with his father and
friends revealed his power to the
nation.
If we are to do Gods work we must
start boldly in His name and destroy
the modern forces of Baal that threaten
the nations moral life. in our home,
city, country and church. The man
who is on the Lords side will find the
spirit of Jehovah has clothed itself
with him as it did with Gideon. The
missionaries of the cross like Carey.
Mofatt, Morrison, Judson. Patton and
Father Damian in our day have all
been driven by the Holy Spirit to do
Gods service and glorify His name.
The call to do His work demanded per-
sonal preparation. The best prepara-
tion for the overthrowing of the Mid
ianites was prayer and the religious
started at home.
Before the chosen servant Of Jehovah
entered upon his duty as field marshal
of Israel he asked further evidence
that he was about to do the will of Je-
hovah. Gideon withdrew apart that
he might find out, our Lord did
during the days of His ministry,
prayer, the will of jehovah.
He went to the threshing floor, where
once more God answered His inQuiring
servant by the messages of the dew
that symbolized the Holy Spirit.
II We are not to be found wanting
whenever duty calls or danger. then
God In Christ Jesus. In carrying out
His program He has assigned a place
Tor every one. II We exercise the same
:aution that marked the career of Gid
con, then we are apt to show that we
IRE coura ageous. The difficulties in tho
way will all disappear as we move for
ward each day to do the work to which
We have. been called of God. II we are
% enioy the blessing OF being one of
he few whom God calls for His sery-
ce. let us be found faithful, doing the
ask of the day, for the call to the
,eiRhts comes after that for obedience
md faith. and then most frequently out
II the depths"