Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1915 — GIDEON’S BRAVE BAND OF THREE HUNDRED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GIDEON’S BRAVE BAND OF THREE HUNDRED

Judges 7:1-3, 16-23—Jan. 24. .A Little Army Too Large—“ Thine the Glory”—Cowards Off For Herne Cowards Spring—Still Too Many. ■ Why the Lappers Were Chosen —“Do as I Do” —Pitcher, Lamp, Trumpet Jehovah and Gid_eon The Victory. The Incident a Parable —Its Meaning. . “Sot by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, tali It Jehovah of haute."—Zee h. f.a. ' FR hist showed us Gjd ■ V j eon, encouraged by the , promise of 'victory, sending messengers to the various 1 tyibes in Israel. Today’s Study shows j ns the resultant army of' 32j100 men with Gideon at the foot of Mount Gil i boa, at Ilarod Spring—a little lake 1 draining off to the Jordan: Across the . lake were the Midianites, numbering j about 135,000. An invading host, they had long been pillaging the Israelites unmolestedly; but now, learning that Gideon’s army was gathering, they assembled to crush it. I Although Gideon's army numbered but one to four of the enemy, yet the

Lord directed him that it was too large; and that there would be danger that the victory might not be appreciated as from the Lord, but be thought to indicate the dexterity of Israel’s warriors. Accordingly, by Divine direction, Gideon told his army of 32,000

that whoever was fearful and preferred to return home might do so. The name of the spring, Ilarod, signifies coward; it has been assumed that it was given because of the 22,000 who went home. But the Lord said, There are yet too many. Cause the host to go down to the spring to drink; and discern between those who kneel and put their mouths into the water, and those who lap from their hands as a dog. There were 300 of this latter class; and these the Lord declared to be the proper ones to win the victory. The remaining 9,700, however, would later on join them in the pursuit. This act of lapping water seems to signify alertness and obedience. An ox drinks by putting his mouth into the water, and when thirsty gives his entire, attention to the sucking of the water, ignoring his master’s commands and' even the rod on his Hanks. But the dog, While lapping the water, is all alert, watch ing in every direction and ready to quit the water at once in obedience to duty. The Victory at Armageddon. In olden times armies evidently did not keep so strict a watch as do modern armies. In the darkness of night Gideon and a trusted companion penetrated amongst the tents of the Midianites- Listening, they heard one rtdate his dream of how a barley loaf rolled down a hill and did havoc. Another offered the interpretation that this was. Gideon and his small army, which was likely to be their undoing; The incident shows that the Midianites were apprehensive. Gideon’s faith was strengthened by this little experience, which the Lord permitted. About midnight was the time appointed for Gideon’s attack. The Three Hundred were divided into three companies, and spread out over considerable space near the Midianites In addition to their usual armor, each man had in his left hand an earthenware pitcher containing a lamp and in his right a ram’s horn trumpet Their instructions were that those immediately with Gideon should do as he did; and that the others, hearing, should imitate, breaking their pitchers, shouting “Jehovah and Gideon.” and blowing the rams’ horns. Waking out of sleep, the Midianites. beholding the flashing lights, hearing the clash like the sound of armor, hearing the shouts and the trumpets, imagined themselves surrounded by a great host, and fled. They fought each other, mistaking each other for foes. Gideon and his Three Hundred, assisted, by the remaining 9,700, pursued and were soon in the fight. The victory was a great one. The Lord was recognized as the Deliverer; and Gideon. His servant was honored accordingly. Gideon’s call -resembles the Gospel Call for volunteers on the side of right against wrong, trutij against error. Many in the world respond, purposing to become soldiers of Christ, but be-

fore they are fully accepted, Jesus calls. Sit down and splint the cost. The sight of the enemy, the fear of death, cause them to turn back. These cowards will not share in the victory. Then comes the second test. One class of the Lord's

people, like the faithful dog, put obedience to the Master’s will first. An other class heed less His voice, and even the rod; and being less alert to His service, they are less used of Hiro. Compared to the world, the most alert ones are very few. These are the ones willing to break the earthen vessel —to use their present earthly lives in the Lord’s service—that the Cause of Truth may have a victory. Doubtless we are near the time when the great victory, antitype of Gideon’s, will be accomplished, when the hosts of ein will fall upon one another for their mutual destruction. The present war is the beginning of this.

Sword of the Lord and of Gideon.

The Selecting of Gideon's Band.