The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-01-22

This was the period Of lsraeis
transition from a nomadic to an ag-
ricultural life The record we have
is an alternate succession OF ldolatry
and subjugation with a return to Je-
hovah and to liberty.
|. "Gideon and All the People, wv.
1-8. Rallying about him his ciansmen
Gideon chose position at the spring
of Harod near Jezreel his back to MI
Gilboa and the Midianites to the north
next to Mt. Moreh. He thus con-
trolled the fords of the Jordan ana
could prevent the enemy from return
lag 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 %as 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. 12:9) If we desire
Gods strength it must be as we our
selves are weak lisa. 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:S, 9; Rom. 3:2D.
God can save as we'll by the few as
by the many q Samuel 14:6), and fire.
uuently uses the weak and despised
things to confound the mighty Il Cor,
1927, 49,, that mo flesh should glory
in his presence" q Cor. 1920. These
were two tests whereby Gideon was
to select his warriors: (D Go to,
proclaim whosoever is fearful
let him return" ". 81. 1t 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-
ples forsook the Master and fed. God
does not choose men because they are
heroes, but to make heroes of them
bv the power of his might. (2) There
Is yet another sitting. God gives Gid,
con the clue ". ~, viz, to decide by
their method of drinking. Those who
drank las a dog lappeth," were those
not to be taken off guard even while
drinking.
II. Gideon's Second Assurance, W.
o.1s II was absurd, humanity speak
ing, for 300 men to expect to defeat
1856, 900. God strengthened" Gideon
". ~. 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 man telling his dream tt
his fellow" The latter interprets
this as nothing else than the "swort
of Gideon" ". AZ. Gideon worshipet
God and at once returned to arouse
the camp of Israel.
III. The Sword of the Lord and o
Gideon, w. 1928. In all probabilit!
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 {
spiritual suggestion for the Christian
(See Matt. 25:4; Ps. 119:105; also I
Cor. As, Z, and Eek. 1873, 6; /. Cor
14:8.) Gideon's stratagem of dividing
his men into three companies ant
then as the pitchers are broken tt
blow the trumpet caused lively pani'
among the Midianites. That Gideon
had faith and courage in himself, ant
in the word of Jehovah, is suggested
in mis- words, Look on me and d.
likewise" We are to look to the cap
tain of our salvation" Heb 1929 ant
by our lives of obedience prove tn
devotion of our life John 1874
14:2D. AS already suggested, Their
were probably no defenses surround
ing the enemy and in the darkness
Gideon and his men easily approaches
the camp. 1t is easy to imagine tn
scene--the midnight hour, the arm
suddenly awakened by a deafenin
shout, the blasts of trumpets, the 30
torches flashing forth amid the crasl
of earthenware, and all OF this i
dense darkness. The Midianites i
the confusion turned their weapon
against each other and fed towar
, the Jordan and into the regions be
yond toward the desert. Others TO
lowed by the ten thousand, fleeing tt
: ward Succoth and Pnuel. We G
this day have our wars and battle
against the wrongs, the principalitie
and powers of evil, which are aroun
us and within US. Such battles n
quire the same courage, and skill, an
conservation of ourselves, as did tn
wars of those ancients against tn
!, enemies that threatened the very e,
. istence OF the people Of God.
Gods work in this world is ofte
7 done by few persons who have ha
r vision Of him, who have grown |
character and devotion, and who us
the simple weapons of lamps, pitcher
/, and trumpetS, even as that small con
pany of one hundred and twenty O
the day Of Pentecost, filled with til
y Spirit of God, led the forces whic
:, ultimately overthrow invincib!e Rom
o The reformation under Luther. til
work of the Puritans, Carey in Indi
the Wssleys in England. and enun