Do we not see in this the weakness of all mankind ? [Abraham repeatedly resorted to a base subterfuge in denying his wife, because he could not trust in God for his protection from Pharaoh^, and Abimelech*. Sarah, too, though commended for her faith, could not beheve that, at her ad- vanced period of Hfe, she should bear to Abraham a son^. When Moses was commissioned to bring Israel out of Egypt, HO less than three successive signs were given to him, for the conviction of his own mind, and of the minds of those to whom he was sent : his rod was turned into a serpent, and restored from a living serpent to a rod again ; his hand was rendered both leprous, and whole again ; and the water which he poured out was converted into blood*. David also, under circum- stances of great trial, found doubts arise in liis mind; but
d ver. 25 — 32. « ver. 14. ^ ver. 15, 16.
g Lev. ix. 24. ^ Gen. xii. 12, 13. > Gen. xx. 13.
^ Gen. xviii. 11, 12. ' Exod. iv. 1—9.
confessed, upon reflection, " This is mine infirmity™." And who amongst us has not, on many occasions, " staggered at the promises through unbelief?" The disciples themselves, when a storm arose, were fearful that they should perish, notwith- standing their Lord and Master was embarked with them in the vessel": and the intrepid Peter's heart began to fail him, when walking on the sea, because the wind became more bois- terous than when he first descended from the ship". So, in seasons of trial, we have found it exceeding difficult to place such confidence in God, as to dismiss all fear, and commit our cause to him without any anxiety about the issue of it. We can know but little of the workings of oiu* own hearts, if we have not discovered, that " there is in us an evil heart of unbelief," and that to place perfect confidence in God is the hiahest of all attainments. To sav under such accumulated trials as Job sustained, " Though he slay me, yet will I trust in himP," is little short of absolute perfection.]
But this weakness of Gideon was the means of displaying,
II. The condescension of God —
God, instead of being offended with his servant, acceded to his request —
[A fellow-creature, who had given such solemn promises, would Jiave been quite indignant at finding his veracity called in question. How offensive was the request, " If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, and do as thou hast said, behold, I wall put a fleece of wool in the floor ; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I knoiv that thouiviltsave Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said." Nor did even tliis suffice: no: he must "prove" God a se- cond time by reversing this request, before he can believe *' that God will do as he has said." Yet, astonishing to behold ! God, instead of being offended with him, gives him the satis- faction he desires, and accommodates himself to the wishes of his yet doubting servant.
A similar instance of condescension we behold in Jesus towards his unbelie\dng disciple. All the disciples had seen our Lord, except Thomas ; and all bare the most decided tes- timony to his resurrection. But Thomas would not believe : no : the testimony of aU his brethren was of no avail : he would not even believe his own eyes, if he should see his Lord : he would not believe, unless he should put his fingers into the print of the nails made in the hands and feet of his
™ Ps. Ixxvii. 7 — 10. n Mark iv. 38.
•> Matt. xiv. 28—31. p Job xiii. 15.
266.] Gideon's fleece. £7
Lord, and thrust his hand into the side that had been pierced by the spear. How justly might he have been left to the per- verseness of his o\vn mind, and to all the bitter consequences of his unbelief ! But no: the Saviour appears to him also, and gives him the very evidence he desired.]