The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-01-20
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Pupils
Edited by Charles K. Meyers.
Jan. 24-Gideon and the Three Hun

Jan. 24-Gideon and the Three Hun
dred. Judges Z.
| We have for the lesson this week a
continuance of consideration of the
remarkable character OF Gideon.
There are few men, excepting Moses,
Joseph, Joshua, David and Daniel spok
en- of in the Old Testament, whose
career has lived as moving cause to
our day, as that of Gideon. A plain
earnest farm lad, his characteristics
have been an inspiration which will
last so long as the bible is the guide
for human conduct.
| 1t will be remembered that in the
days of Gideon his people were an
under group because OF their wander
ings from the worship of the true God.
There were prayers for deliverance
from the Midiahites, who robbed the
focks and took the grain. Gideon was
told by special messenger from God
that with him as the leader, the Jew
! ish tribes should rise and prevail.
Gideon was much like folks we see
now. He said that he knew in the
past God had done great things for
His people. but that vas long time
lagO and now there was nothing doing"
to use a modern expression. When
he had faith 10 go 10 work, believing
that God would do wha: He said, then
great things were accomplished. In
religion, temperance, moral reforms.
which the bible l!phoM.s, there is ev-
or divine power to help when there is
faith coupled with works.
When Gideon was convinced that
he was indeed the chosen leader. he
became active. He first made his own
home right in Gods sight and then
called on his fellow colintrynen to raj
~ and overthrow their enemies. a
company Of some thirty thousand men
gathered under his command. Now
comes the peculiar part OF The Whole
affair. II must be made plain to ali
iiiai j, was The superior power OF God
and not the large number Of The Is
raelite army which would bring vic
tory, So a process OF making Il small
or force took place First the s-sIn-
r.aut went out from Gideon, as made
known to HIM by God, that all sol
dierS might return hCme who did not
coming. rhereupon enough went
hack to hheir tents to reduce the band
Of Gideon Of ten thousand This num-
Der was thought by God 10 be too
many to impress the lesson in His
cause which He wanted to give. An
other division was then made. The
ten thousand We're led to stream OF
water and it was noted how they drank
there being no cups or vessels OF any
kind 10 convey the water to the mouth.
Three hundred scooped up the water
with their hands only bending to the
knee, while the rest went PROSTATE
to the waters edge. The command
then came from God that with the
three hundred, the overthrow Of the
Midianites was to be accomplished.
We now come to the most interest
ing part of the bible account and will
see the reason why the doings OF Gid
con and his band have made them
noted for all time. Gideon went out
one night as a spy and going into the
camp of the enemy became well &C.
quainted with its location and how the |
opposing soldiers felt. Soon after he |
gave directions as to what his band |
of three hundred should do. 1t was
this: each was to prepare a torch or
fire brand. These were to be placed
in an earthen pitcher. Each man was
TO be given a trumpet. With these |
and no swords, was the victory to be
The three hundred were d.
pided into three companies. Gideon
gave directions that in silence the
were to form about the
camps of the sleeping Midiantes.
When Gideon blew his trumpet, his
men were TO break the pitchers, thus
making plain the lamps or fire brands
which had been placed in them. The