The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-20
iNNz Nz1Ag5ROKIYN > MlEKBERNACLE
Gideon's Brave Band of 300
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Judges 7:1-S, 16-S-January 24,

| victory, sending messengers 10 tht
 various tribes in Israel Today.
 study shows the resultant army of 32,00'
 with Gideon at the foot of Mount Giboa
 at Harod Spring-a little lake which drains eastward to the Jordan. Across
 the lake were the Midianites, numberine
 about 135,O00. An invading army, they hao for sometime been pillaging the Israelites
 unmclestedy; but now they learned thai l Gideons army was gathering, and assem- | bled themselves to crush it.
 | Wbile Gideon was feeling that his army was far too small for such a battle--one ] against four--the Lord directed him to the l contrary-that the army was too large
 and that the victory He purposed might 1 not be appreciated as being from the | Lord, but be thought to indicate the dex- | terity of Israels warriors. Accordingly l by divine direction. Gideon gave word te | his army of 32,000 that as many as were | fearful and preferred to return home | might do so. The name of the spring, l Harod, signifies coward and 1t has beer assumed that the name was given because
 of the fear manifested by the 22.00o whc went home.
 l Surely Gideon's faith was tried as his | little army melted to 10000 men, But the Lord said to him, There are yet too many. Cause the host to go down to the spring to drink and discern between those who drink directly from the pool, kneeing down, putting their mouths into the water and those who, bending over, lap the water from their hands as a dog laps with his tongue.
 There were 300 of this latter class left by this test; and the Lord declared these to be the proper ones to especially win the victory. The remaining 970O, however, would later on join them in pursuit of the enemy. Symbolically. this would seem to signify alertness and obedience. An OK drinks by putting his mouth into the water. and when thirsty gives his entire attention to the sucking of the water, re- fusng to pay any attention to his own CTS commands, and even resisting the use of the rod upon his Hanks. The dog on the contrary, while tapping the water with his tongue, is all elert, watching in every direction, and ready to quit the water at any moment in obedience to duty.
 If water here, IS elsewhere in the Bible, represents the truth, these two companies of Gideon's army would represent two classes who love and appreciate the truth. | Both classes drink of the water of truth, | but the one class more for their own 1 satisfaction. The other class drink accord | ing to their needs, and do not neglect | alertness In the Masters service, keeping | eyes and ears open for the guidance of divine providence at all times. This lat ter wiser class are represented by the
 3oo. Gideon himself representing Jesus
 the Captain of our salvation.
 The Victory at Armageddon l Armies in olden times evidently did not | Keep so strict a watch as do modern
 armies. At all events, Gideon and a trust | ed companion were able to penetrate ir | the darkness of night amongst the tents l or the Midianites. Listening, they heard
 one relate his dream of how a barley | loaf rolled down a hill and did havoc | Another offered the interpretation that l this was Gideon and his small army
 which was likely to be their undoing The ] incident shows that the Midiantes were
 fearful, apprehensve. Gideons faith was
 strengthened by this little experience. 1 About midnight was the time appointed
 for Gideon's attack. The 300 were divided l into three companies and spread out | over a considerable space near the Mid. | ianites. In addition to their usual armor
 sword, etc, each In his left hand hat | a pitcher of earthenware containing 6 | lamp, and in his other hand a rams horn 1 trumpet. Their instructions were tha | those immediately with Gideon should dc
 as he did! and that the other bands hear ing, should initiate. breaking the front o1 | their pitchers to let the light shine out | ahead of them. shouting. Jehovah and Gideon and blowing on the rams horns
 The Midianites. waking out of sleep, be-
 holding the flashing lights, hearing the class Of pottery, the voices and the trum- pets, imagined themselves surrounded by
 a great host; and half dazed, they fled They fought each other, mistaking eacr | other for foes. Gideon and his 300 pur. sued and were soon in the fight, assisted by the remaining g700 The victory was a great one. The Lord was recognized to
 be the Deliverer; and Gideon, His ser. want, was honored accordingly.
 Some Lessons for Today
 The Lord, through some of these expe. riences in the past gives certain spiritua
 lessons to spiritual Israel (Romans 15:4.I
 Gideons call resembles the gospel call
 for volunteers on the side of right against | wrong, truth against error Many re- spond;- but before they are fully accepted l Jesus voice calls to them, saying, "Sil
 down and count the cost"
 The sight of the enemy, the fear o1 death" (Hebrews 2:15) causes these te
 walk no more with the Master Wher
 they first responded to the call they
 thought of the glory and honor, and over
 looked the fact that these could be ob
 tained only at the cost of hardship ant
 endurance. These towards who turn bacl
 and never really take the VOW of con
 secration will not share in the great vic
 tory.
 Then comes the second test--that O
 obedience and loyalty. One class of th
 Lords people put obedience to the Mas
 ter's voice first, alert to do. His will An
 other portion of the Lords consecrate, people heed less the Masters voice. an,
 even the rod; and being less alert to Hi
 service. they are less used of Him. {. Compared to the world, the most aler
 ones are but very few. Those of tn
 Lords people who are alert He grant the greatest opportunities for service These are the ones most willing to breal
 the earthen vessel-to use their presen
 earthly lives in the Lords service-tha , the light of truth may shine out and tha
 the cause of truth may. have a victory These zealous ones are most faithful | blowing upon the trumpet, representatiy of Gods word.
 We are doubtless near the time whe
 the great victory. the antitype of Gid , cons. will be accomplished, when tn hosts of sin, the powers of evil. will fal f upon one another for their mutual de struction. The present war amongst tn nations of Europe Is the beginning of thi. [ but not it's end. According to the Biblt the climax will be a temporary reign Q ) anarchy. which will fully prepare tn
 world form Messiahs glorious reign c righteousness.