The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1915-01-15

tlOStS.-LeCh. 40 II, v.
This was the period Of Tsraers
transition from a nomadic to an ag,
ricultural life. The record we have
is an alternate succession of idolatry
and subjugation with a return to Je-
hoyah and to liberty.
I. "Gdeon and All the People," w,
1-s. Rallying about him his clansmen
Gideon chose 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 fords 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-
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 hoasting- (Eph. 2:8, 8; Rom. 3:2O.
God can save as well by the few as
by the many q Samuel 1870, and fire.
Quently uses the weak and despised
things to confound the mighty Il Cor.
1877, 28), that mo flesh should glory
in his presence" q Cor. 1920. These
were two tests whereby Gideon was
to select his warriors: % go to,
proclaim whosoeyer 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 fled. 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 a 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 800 men to expect to defeat
1876, OOO 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 to
This fellow" The latter interprets
this as nothing else than the Sword
of Gideon" ". 14. Gideon worshiped
God and at once returned to arouse
the camp of Israel.
III. 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
spiritual suggestion for the Christian.
(See Matt. 25:4; Ps. 119:105; also II
Cor. 4:6, Z, and Eek. 1873, 6; |. Cor.
14:8.) Gideons 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 mis- words, Look on me and do
w n 1On1T m fhn Hnan
tain Of our salvation" (Heb. 1922 and
by our lives of obedience prove the
devotion of our life John 1914,
I4:2D. AS already suggested, there
were probably no defenses surround
ing the enemy and in the darkness
Gideon and his men easily approached
the camp. 1t 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
conservation 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
a 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 COM
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
work of the Puritans, Carey in India,
the Wesleys in England, and count
less other instances are illustrations
of this truth. that zone with God is