Arizona republican., 1920-04-18

penitence, always ready to help The deliyerers of Israe, were always men who believed and obeyed Jehovah The people that are with thee are too
 many" Perhaps Gideon was think ing that he had too few when he con- sidered that the Midianites. and their
 cameis were with out number.
 3. Proclaim in the ears of the peo- ! ple." Gideon was directed by Jehovah
 to make the proclamation before the 1 battle which the law required. The
 following classes of soldiers were to | be excused if they desired: the man
 who had built new house and had not yet dedicated 1t, the man who had planted vineyard and had not yet had fruit from it, the man who was 1 betrothed to wife and had not yet married her. the man that is fearful and faint hearted" was to go and re- turn unto his house. lest his brethren might melt his heart. Two-thirds of the army at once melted away. 2. Gideon's Three Hundred. vss. 4-8 4. "The people are yet too many. Jehovah is still personally directing Gideon Gideons obedience is based
 upon his confidence in the call of Je- hovah.
 5. 'So he brought down the people
 unto the water Anybody who has looked across, the scene can appreciate the suitability of the test which Cid con imposed orphis men. The stream. which makes it impossible for the oc- cupiers of the hills to hold also the well against an emey on the plain, for bids them to be careless in the use of the water; for they drink in the face of that enemy.
 7.y"By the three hundred men that Tapped will I save you" This was the crucial test of Gideons faith. It will be hard to recall a more heroic Nsoul | to serve God.
 3. Jehovah's Victory, vss. 16-21
 16. ''He divided the three hundred men into three companies" Up to this point Jehovah had given minute in- structions for the battle. From now on Gideon was to be left to his own wits. His military problem was such would most probably assure him vic- tory. He was confident of victory because Jehovah had assured him. .Trumpets, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers" Blowing the trumpets would suggest the charge of an immense attack in force. Empty 1 pitchers concealed the torches and, l when broken would, by their crash | cause. consternation among the dazed | foe, rbuSed so suddenly from their | sleep. Flaring torches would suggest | firebrands that Midian doubtless ex- l pecIeu 10 nave appiled IO tnelr tents ! and baggage. The shouts of the three | hundred men would increase the up- roar.
 IS. When blow the trumpet, 1 and all that are with me" Gideon | was in personal charge of one of the | into which the three hum dred had been divided. For Jehovah and for Gideon" This battle cry was shouted out into the | darkness of the night xvnIf1d n iy- spring to the Israelites. as they re- membered how Jehovah had fought for their fathers. sIt would also be terri flying to the Midianites, who doubtless had traditions among them of the tirp., when Israel marched through tfeir 1 land and crossed the river Jordan un- der the leadership of Jehovah.
 19. Tn the beginning of the middle The night was divided into three watches. The time was there | fore, about ten or eleven o'clock when the guard was changed.
 20. 'sThe sword of Jehovah and of Gideon-", It would seem Gideon bor- rowed the words from the Afidianites dream: Tt is the sword of Gideon" Finding his name was a terror to them, he thus improved it against f them, but prefixes the name of Je- novah, as the figure without which his E own was but an insignificant cipher.
 21. "They stood every man in his place round about the camp" Not a blow was felt by the Israelites; but he enemy ran unanimously, uttering he wild discordant cries peculiar to he Arab race. They fought indiscrim- nateIy not knowing friend from foe; he panic being universal. they soon ,recipitately fled, directing their, flight town the jordan.
 Stevenson.