The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-04-08
LESSON FOR APRIL IS
THE VICTORY OF olpeoN's BAND.

THE VICTORY OF olpeoNs BAND.
LESSON TEXT-Judges l.
GOLDEN TENT-There IL no restraint
TO the Lord to save by many or by few
Sam, 1875
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Judge.
s1-t0. s1-A
PRIMARY ToPIc-Gideon and His
Three Hundred
JUNIOR ToPIC-How Gideon Won a
Victory.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Victory by Gods Help
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
One WIN God a Majority
SO grievous was Isrnels afillctlon
that they hid In dens. caves and
strongholds Judges o: p. In their
distress they cried unto the Lord. and
again he heard them and sent deliver
ance. The angel Of the Lord appeared
10 Gideon while at the post Of duty.
God always calls men who are doing
something. Gldeon's hesltancy when
called was not due 20 unbellef hut to
modesty and cautiousness. When once
he was convinced OF duty he was
tNuINhtbuN Nhh f0lluNlhNllNs
!. The Opposing Army ". ~.
Gideon and his army arose early on
that eventful day and encamped by
the spring OF Harod. over against
them was the host OF the Mldlanltes in
battle array His army was Insignia
cant In comparison with the Mldian-
ties.
u. The Sitting Of oideon's Army
tvv. 2-s).
At Gldeon's call $1,000 men respond
ed. ready for the struggle. This
seemed a small army TO GO agains. the
Mldlanlte army. 10000 strong hut
God said this was too many lest they
he led to boasting and self-confidcnce.
Their real danger was not In their
small army. hut In their pride. All
that were faint-hearted were allowed
TO go back. leaving only 10000. There
were 22.Oo0 towards In that group of
men, and worst of all, they were not
ashamed 10 confess II. Still this was
too many. when God was through with
his sitting process only 800 remained.
The 10000 we're brave men. but not 81
proper quality and fitness. Those who
Tapped the water showed aler'ness
and watchfulness This test revealed
the quality and fitness Of the men
whom God would use 10 win victory.
~. God Gives Encouragement TO
Gideon wv. 9-l5)
God babe Gideon 20 down 10 the
Midlnnite camp. where he would hear
something which would cheer his
heart and strengthen his hands When
he came near he heard man tell
dream, which was that Of barley cake
tumbling into the camp and smiling H.
He also heard the Interpretation given
TO that dream. which made Gideon TO
be that cake. This greatly cheered
his heart and strengthened him for his
work and caused his heart 10 burst
forth In praise 20 God. A barley cake
Is a very insignificant thing very
cheap affair In itself. but with the
hand Of God upon II, IL would be suffi
Client 10 spread CONSERVATION upon the
Midianites and bring destruction upon
their armies.
w. God Gives Victory to Gideon
wv. 1929.
His army was very insignificant and
his weapons most worthless. HIS at
tack was unique. The whole matter
was Of faith (IIeb. II :32). The ground
OF his faith was Gods word and the
token which he had given him. God
does not ask us 10 go forward without
good ground upon which to rest our
faith. Gideon with his 300 men formed
into three companies. each man being
provided with a trumpet and with a
lamp concealed within pitcher. Thus
armed, they surrounded the camps Of
the Mdianites. They were all instruct
ed 10 keep their eyes upon their leader
and initiate him. We. too, are to keep
y our eyes on our leader, Christ. aud To
ever do ms he does. AZ the proper mo-
ment they blew their trumpets and
broke their pitchers. giving opportun-
ity for their lights 10 shine out. This
awful crash Of breaking pitchers. fol-
lowing the sound Of trumpets. accom-
panied by the shout. THE sword Of
the Lord and OF Gideon" threw the
Mldlanites into n panic. causing them
20 fight among themselves. one hun
dred and twenty thousand were thus
slain, leaving but 1900 of that mighty
army Judges $40.
In making the application 10 our
selves In this age. we can think OF the
sounding Of the trumpets as represent
ing prayer, or calling TO God; the
torches. as the light Of the gospel the
pitchers. our human nature; and the
whole, ms this treasure in earthen YES
sells. Only Ms the pitchers were broken
10 allow the light TO shine forth. and as
we sound loud and long the trumpet of
prayer can We expect victory.