The Green Forest tribune., 1915-01-22

power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.-Zech. 4:6 R. V.
 This was the period of Israels transition from nomadic to an az ricultural life. The record we have is an alternate succession of idolatry and subjugation with return to Je- hovah and to liberty.
 I. "Gideon and All the People," w. 1-s. Rallying about him his clansmen Gideon chose a position at the spring of Harod near Jezreel, his back to Mt. Gilboa and the Midianites to the north next to Mt. Moreh He thus con- trolled the lords of the Jordan and could prevent the enemy from return ing 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-
 
 Gods strength it must be as we our selves are weak Qsa. 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, 9; Rom. 3:2O. God can save as we'll by the few as by the many q Samuel 14:6), and fre- quently uses the weak and despised things to confound the mighty q Cor. 1:27, 28), that mo flesh should glory in his presence q Cor. 1:29). These were two tests whereby Gideon was to select his warriors: CD "Go to, proclaim whosoever is fearful :. let him return" (v. 3. It is not we'll to criticize too severely the 22,000 who returned; even in the Gar den not only Peter, but all the disci- ples forsook the Master and fled. God does not choose men because they are heroes, but to make heroes of them by the power of his might. CD There is yet another sitting. God gives Gid con the clue (v 4), viz, to decide by their method of drinking. Those who drank "as dog lappeth,'' were those not to be taken off guard even while drinking.
 II. Gideon's Second Assurance, w. e-15. It was absurd, humanly speak ing, for 300 men to expect to defeat 5000. God strengthened" Gideon (v. ID. 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 to "his fellow" The latter interprets this as nothing else than the sword of Gideon" (v. 14). Gideon worshiped God and at once returned to arouse the camp of Israel.
 III. The Sword of the Lord and of Gideon, w. 1928. 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 4:6, 2, and Ezek. 33:3, 6; I. Cor. 14:8.) Gideon's stratagem of dividing his men into three companies and then as the pitchers are broken to blow the trumpet caused lively panic among the Midianites. That Gideon had faith and courage in himself, and in the word of Jehovah, is suggested in his words, Look on me and do likewise" We are to look to the "cap- tain of our salvation" (Heb. 13:2) and by our lives of obedience prove the devotion of our life (John 15:14, 14:2D. AS already suggested, there were probably no defenses surround ing the enemy and in the darkness Gideon and his men easily approached the camp. It is easy to imagine the scene-the midnight hour, the army suddenly awakened by a deafening shout, the blasts of trumpets, the 300 torches flashing forth amid the crash of earthenware, and all of this in dense darkness. The Midianites in the confusion turned their weapons against each other and fled toward the Jordan and into the regions be- yond toward the desert. Others fol- lowed by the ten thousand, fleeing to- ward Succoth and Penuel. We of this day have our wars and battles against the wrongs, the principalities and powers of evil, which are around us and within us. Such battles re- quire the same courage, and skill, and consecration of ourselves, as did the wars of those ancients against the enemies that threatened the very ex- istence of the people of God.
 Gods work in this world is often done by few persons who have had vision of him, who have grown in character and devotion, and who use the simple weapons of lamps. pitchers and trumpets, even as that small con- pany of one hundred and twenty on the day of Pentecost, filled with the Spirit of God, led the forces which ultimately overthrow invincible Rome The reformation under Luther, the