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clothed Himself with Gideon:” that is, Gideon was simply the instrument through whom the Spirit of the Lord worked. Jehovah not only called Gideon, but He equipped him for the work he had to do. The only satisfactory equipment for the service of God is the endument with the Spirit (cf. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 5, 8; ch. 3:18; 13:25; 14:19; 15:14; 1 Sam. 11:6; 2 Chron. 24:20).—Torrey. Ch. 7. (V. 1) A fountain on the northern side of Mount Gilboa. From it flows a stream of considerable size. It is thought Little Hermon is the hill meant, which is across the valley from Mount Gilboa.-—Prac. Com. (V. 4) Bulk is not necessarily strength. Number is not always power. Thomas Fuller - said that after Gideon s test, there “ were fewer persons, but not fewer men.”— Prac. Com. (Vs. 5, 6) From the following verse it is learned that this expression means to drink by bringing water with the hand to the mouth, as a dog conveys into his mouth with its tongue, “ boweth down” to kneel or lie down to bring the mouth to the water, and thus to drink. “ Three hun dred”— a small number drank by lapping the water.— Selec. (V. 7) The three hundred proved they had learned self- control. Hot and thirsty, though they were, they could ab stain from an indulgence that would have been ruinous. “ The cause of God had stilled the voice of appetite.” The three hundred had learned to put duty before pleasure. Nine thousand seven hundred men thought only of their own comfort, and of satisfying the desires of the flesh. It is only those who “ crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts” who become efficient soldiers for Christ. The three hundred were determined and thoughtful men. They had counted the cost. Their eyes were on the enemy. They would not be taken by surprise. They were on their guard. They would be in a hurry. No time was lost prostrating themselves by the brook.g-Prac. Com. (V. 1.6) The trumpets were a call to God and a type of prayer; the torches symbolized the light of the Gospel, and the “ pitchers” or “ earthen vessels” are symbolical and typical of our frail bodies in which we have this treasure of the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:6, 7; Matt 5:16). Our business, if we wish to put God’s enemies to flight, is simply to blow long and hard and loud the trumpet of prayer, to hold forth the Word of life in our hands (Phil. 2:16), and like the pitchers, we must be broken if the light is to shine through us (cf. John 12:24; Gal. 2:20 R. V .).—Torrey.
They were to follow their leader, (7:17). There was to be perfect unity in action— the trumpets were to be blown, the pitchers broken, the light was to stream out. These are the essentials always for the defeat of the enemy. (2 Cor. 10:4) «The weapons o f our warfare are uot carnal, but m ighty through God to the pulling down o f strongholds.” The trumpets are a type of God's Word; the pitcher men of God; the light— the Holy Spirit. Notice the instruments which became mighty in the hand of God,— a ram’s horn (Josh. 6 :8 ); a sling and stone (1 Sam. 17:40); a shepherd’s crook (Ex. 4 :2 ); the jaw bone of an ass (Judges 15:15). Here there was no spear, no sword, no armor, only the “ sword of the Lord and of Gideon” (v. 20) (Isa. 41:14-16). “ The sword of the Lord,” (that is the divine side); “ and of Gideon” (that is the human side). It is these two united which will win every battle. What is the lesson for us? We need the Word of God; the declaration of the Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. We need, too, the earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7) which must be broken that the light may shine out,— surrendered men and women, willing to be obedient to the Word of God. We need implicit faith, and prompt action. Then we shall hear the shout of victory and see the scattering of the enemy. Topics for Study (1) God’s choice of men and methods. (2) A man may be mighty in God’s sight and not know it. (3) The man who can cast down an altar and cut down the grove in his own town, can be trusted to lead an army. (Judges 6:28). (4 ) ' When the Spirit of the Lord possesses a man he gives forth no uncertain sound. (5) In unbelief Gideon tested God, but in grace God an swered the challenge. (6) It is quality, not quantity that counts with God. (7) Gideon had a humble beginning, but a heroic ending. i ii Ch. 6 This lesson reveals an extraordinary change in the whole aspect of things in Israel. The chapter opens with a vivid description of the ravages of the Midianites, and the pitiable distress to which Israel was reduced. For seven successive years those ravages were COMMENTS committed, until Israel had become FROM THE greatly impoverished and disheartened. COMMENTARIES In all that time not one cry of re- IT V Morgan pentance was heard, not one act of faith in the true God. Spiritual apos tasy had brought Israel into national humiliation. When, at last, they cried to the Lord “ because of the Midianites” the Lord by His prophet declared the cause of all their trouble to be their disobedience to Him. Their idolatry had brought upon them the terrible Midianite servitude. God answered Israel’s cry in the call of Gideon. Arnold. (Vs, 1.1-24) “ An angel of the Lord” should read “ the angel,” for the context shows this to be another manifesta tion of the Second Person of the Trinity. Study the context for evidences of this. Observe Gideon’s consciousness of it, the angel’s assumption of it, (vv. 14-16) and its final dem onstration (vv. 21-23). Note Gideon’s modesty and diffi dence (v. 15), suggesting Moses at the burning bush. His request for a sign (v. 17) is neither wrong nor unreason able as the event shows. Although the acceptance of his sacrifice meant the acceptance of himself (v. 21), yet so deep-seated is fear in the heart because of sin (v. 22), that a special assurance from Jehovah is needed to restore his peace after he has become conscious of the Divine Presence (v. 23).—Gray. (V. 34) “ But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon.” Literally translated, this would be “ the Spirit of the Lord
ELEMENTARY Kate H. Haus
After the victory of Deborah and Barak, they sang a great song of praise to God. This we ought to do after every victory God gives to us. The land then had peace for 40 years, because Israel followed God. But they again fell
into evil, and were punished by God let ting the Midianites and others c o m e against them. For seven years they were troubled by the enemy taking all t h e y planted, and seeking to destroy the
land. God told them it was because they had disobeyed Him that the enemy came. We can’t obey God one day, and disobey Him another day, and keep that up, and expect God to bless us, neither could the Jews. God heard their prayer for He called Gideon to save them from the enemy. The Lord came to Gideon, promising to help him, for Gideon -jras one who obeyed God. First thing Gideon was called to do, was to destroy Baal. The lesson we learn here is, we must get rid of all idols if we are to do God’s work. Childrens’ idols are pride, play,
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