May 1924
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S 301 g^SgSfflSgHSgSgSESffiasaESaSBgSHSaSHSHSHSHSgSgSaSgSgSaSaSBSBSHSESgSasaSESgSgSaSgSSStiSgSaSgSgqm^y^^qp^P^^^^qp^P^^^oagciooc:! The W ho le Bible Sunday School Le sson
Course T. C. Horton V. V. Morgan Kate H. Haus
Recommended by World’s Fundamental Association
EXPOSITION and PERTINENT QUESTIONS COMMENTS FROM THE COMMENTARIES ELEMENTARY - - -
MAY 11, 1924 G I D E O N
an army of 32,000 men from Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali. (2) CHOICE AND CHARACTER OF THE ARMY, 7:1-18. “ By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you.” v. 7. The Midianites had gathered an army of 135,000. The contrast was very marked. But Gideon’s army was too large for God to use. It was a mixed multitude. God’s method of testing Gideon’s army reveals its char acter. First,—He eliminated the cowardly who gladly took advantage of the opportunity to depart,— twenty thousand of them. Second,-—He . eliminated the conventional,— 9,700 of them. They were willing to fight but were not wholly separated unto service. Third,—were the chosen, courageous, consistent men, who were on the alert, lapping with one hand and holding their weapons with the other,— three hundred out of the 32,000. This is a solemn lesson. .God does not want any to vaunt themselves,, or to say “ Mine own hand hath saved me.” He is a jealous God. One of the most difficult lessons to teach and to believe is that “ salvation is of the Lord.” Every false cult is based on the theory of “ salvation by works.’! The tendency is to add just a little to God’s plan; to work out, in a measure, our own salvation, without depending upon that which God hath worked in. Then there are the conventional Christians,— those who are willing to rally at some great evangelistic meeting and let the evangelist do the work. They would like to see souls saved, but they are not willing to separate themselves from the world in order that the work may be done. They are handicapped by the conventionalities of society and of private life, and are of very little use to the Lord. Then there are the three hundred,— like the little band that gathered to pray before the day of Pentecost in the upper room the little flock— God’s chosen ones who have no fear of man. The people that believe God, believe in His power, who are willing to forsake father and mother and home, surrender their own wills and their own pleas ures and stand— if need be— alone with God. It is a hard matter to set aside 22,000 and then 9,700, but God has a way of doing it. How wonderful are His sifting agencies! Three hundred soul-winners could do mighty things for God. (3) CONFLICT AND CONQUEST OF MIDIAN, 7:19-25. “ And all the host ran and cried and fled.” v. 21. Gideon with his three hundred men are to be victorious. But he is not to rush out upon the enemy. He must wait God’s command. Picture to yourself that night in the camp! , How the hearts of the Midianites were filled with fear as God filled with fear the people in Pharaoh’s camp (Ex. 12:29-33). Notice the mode of warfare employed,— the army being divided into three groups, every man being furnished with a trumpet, an empty pitcher and a torch within the pitcher.
Judges, Chapters 6 and 7 Golden Text: “ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.***»That no flesh should glory in his presence.” 1 Cor. 1:27, 29. OUTLINE: (1) Call of Gideon and Credentials, Ch.'6. (2) Choice and Character of the Army, 7:1-18. (3) Conflict and Conquest of Midian, 7:19-25. INTRODUCTION: Following Deborah’s deliverance of Israel there was a period of forty years of comparative rest. Then followed a declension in which Israel took their eyes off from God and as a result God delivered them into the hands of the Mid ianites and for seven successive years LESSON they devastated the country. In grief, they EXPOSITION called upon the Lord and the Lord sent T. C. Horton a prophet with a message of comfort (6:7-10). Then Gideon is introduced to us. (1) CALL OF GIDEON AND CREDENTIALS, Ch. 6, “ The Lord looked upon him and said, Go.” v. 14. God always has His man. Gideon was of the tribe of Manasseh, and was the fifth of the Judges. When God called him he was threshing wheat by the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. He was doing his best with what he had. He was a true man. His heart was conscious of Israel’s awful condition. God knew him; God saw him; God answered the cry of his heart. Gideon was a humble man. (6:15). God recognizes hu mility and chooses humble men for His service. Moses (Ex. 4:10). David (1 Sam. 16:11). Paul (1 Cor. 1:26). Gideon was a reverent man. He worshipped the Lord by an offering, and God manifested Himself to him, as He did to Manoah (13:19-23). He was a bold man. God called him a “ mighty man of valour (6:12). He was obedient. When he had been brought close to God and had an assured heart, he was ready to obey. “ The angel of the Lord” brought the message. This was the angel, the Messiah; (Gen. 16:7; 22:15; Ex. 14:19; Acts 27: 23). God’s eye is ever upon His own (Isa. 63:9). This was the “ Word made flesh.” “ The Lord looked upon Gideon,” (as Christ looked upon the young ruler) and endued him with might (Josh. 1:9). Gideon was to save Israel. He was to be God-sent. God often chooses leaders from the common people (Acts 4:13; 1 Cor. 1:26-29). Gideon asked for a sign and received a remarkable tes timony in the fire from heaven and the ascending angeL (6:19-24). When the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and took possession of him he blew the trumpet and rallied
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker