The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1915-01-23


This was the period Of Israers
transition from a nomadic to an ag- |
ricultural life The record we have
is an alternate succession OF idolatry |
and subjugation with return to Je-
hovah and to liberty.
I. "oideon 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 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 1t 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. 2:8, 8; Rom. 3:2D.
God can save as well by the few as
by the many Il Samuel 1850. and fire.
ouently uses the weak and despised
things to confound the mighty Il Cor
1927, 2S), that mo flesh should glory
in his presence" q Cor. 1920. These
were two tests whereby Gideon was
to select his warriors: O 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
by the power of his might. (2) There
is vet another sitting. God gives Gid
con the clue ". ~, viz, to decide by
their method of drinking. Those who
drank "as a dog lappeth," were those
not to be taken off guard even while
drinking.
n. Gideon's Second Assurance, W.
e-15. 1t was absurd, humanly speak
ing. for 800 men to expect to defeat
$4,000. God strengthened" Gideon
". ~. Gideon and Phurah, at Gods
command, entered the valley and drew
near the Midianite host Avoiding the
guard, II any, they drew near enough
to hear q man telling his dream tt
his fellow" The latter interpreti
this as nothing else than the Sword
of Gideon" ". 14). Gideon worshipet
God and at once returned to arouse
the camp OF Israel.
~. The Sword Of the Lord and o
Gideon, w. 1928. In all probabilit.
these men wore their usual weapon
as soldiers and carried food for thei
use In pursuing the enemy. However
for this midnight attack they neede
only three weapons, lamps, pitcher
and trumpets. Each Of these have
spiritual suggestion for the Christian
(See Matt. 1854; Ps. 119:105; also
Cor. 4:6, 7, and Eek. 1888, 6; !. Coz
14:S) Gideons stratagem of dividin
his men into three companies an
then as the pitchers are broken
blow the trumpet caused lively pan,
among the Midianites. That Gideo
had faith and courage in himself, an
in the word of Jehovah, is suggeste
In his words, Look on me ana q
likewise" We are to look to the Ca
tain of our salvation" Heb. 1922 an
by our lives of obedience prove II
devotion OF our life John l5:l
l4:21). AS already suggested, thel
were probably no defenses surroun
ing the enemy and in the darkne
Gideon and his men easily approach'
the camp. It is easy to imagine u
scene-the midnight hour, the arm
suddenly awakened by deafenli
shout the blasts of trumpets, the 81
= torches flashing forth amid the Graz
of earthenware, and all OF this
dense darkness. The Midianites
the confusion turned their weapo
against each other and fled iowa
the Jordan and into the regions
yond toward the desert. Others I
lowed by the ten thousand, fleeing
ward Succoth and Penuel. we
this day have our wars and battl
against the wrongs, the principaliti
and powers of evil, which are arou
us and within us. Such battles
ouire the same courage and skill, n
consecration of ourselves, as did
wars of those ancients against
at..t thrnatnnlH