Cleveland County herald., 1920-04-15
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNI)4ySCTlDOL
 LESSON tBy REV. F. B. FITZWATER, b. D., Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago) Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Union,
LESSON FOR APRIL 18
THE VICTORY OF olDEoNs BAND.
LESSON TExT-Judpes

LESSON TEXT-Judges I.
 GOLDEN TEXT-There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few | 1 Sam, 14:6
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Judges 6:1-40 S:l-35
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Gideon and His l Three Hundred
 JUNIOR TOPIC-How Gideon Won a | Victory
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC | Victory by Gods Help
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC One With God a Majority.
 So grieveus was IsraePs affliction that they hid in dens, caves and strongholds (Judges 6: 3. In their distress they cried unto the Lord, and again he heard them and sent deliver ance. The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while at the post of duty. God always calls men who are doing something. Gideon's hesitancy when called was not due to unbelief, but to modesty and cautiousness. When once he was convinced of duty he was courageous and enthusiastic.
 l. The Opposing Army (v. D.
 Gideon and his army arose early on that eyentful day and encamped by the spring of Harod. Over against them was the host of the Midianites in battle array. His army was insignifi- cant in comparison with the MiGian- ties.
 II. The Sitting of Gideon's Army (vv. 2-S).
 At Gideon's call 32,00O men respond ed, ready for the struggle This seemed a small army to go against the Midianite army, 135,000 strong, but God said this was too many lest they be led to boasting dnu self-confidence. Their real danger was not in their small army, but in their pride. All that were faint-hearted were allowed to go back, leaving only 10000 There were 22,00O towards in that group of men, and worst of all, they were not ashamed to confess it. Still this was too many. When God was through with his sitting process only 300 remained. The 10000 were brave men, but not of proper quality and fitness. Those who lapped the water showed alertness and watchfulness. This test revealed the quality and fitness of the men whom God would use to win victory.
 III. God Gives Encouragement to Gideon (vv. 9-15.)
 God bade Gideon go down to the Midianite camp, where he would hear something which would cheer his heart and strengthen his hands. When he came near he heard a man tell dream, which was that of barley cake tumbling into the camp and snitng it. 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 to burst forth in praise to God. A barley cake is very insignificant thing, very cheap affair in itself, but with the hand of God upon it. it would be suffi cient to spread consternation upon the Midianites and bring destruction upon their armies.
 w. God Gives Victory to Gideon (vv. 1923.
 His army was very insignificant and his weapons most worthless. His at tack was unique. The whole matter was of faith {Heb. Ii :32). The ground of his faith was Gods word and the token which he had given him. God does not ask us to 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 lamp concealed within pitcher. Thas armed they surrounded the camps O. the Midianites. They were all instruct ed to keep their eyes upon their leader and initiate him. We, too, are to keep our eyes on our leader, Christ, and to ever do as he does. At the proper mo- ment they blew their trumpets and broke their pitchers, giving opportun- ity for their lights to 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 Mdianites into panic causing thelb to fight among themselves. One hun dred and twenty thousand were thus slain. leaving but 15,0O0 of that mighty army (Judges 810.
 In making the application to 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, as this treasure in earthen yes sels. Only as the pitchers were broken to allow the light to slime forth, and as we sound loud and long the trumpet of praYer can We expect victory