It should seem that this reduction of his numbers filled liim with some secret misgivings. God therefore graciously offered him a further sign, whereby his faith should be confirmed, and his fear altogether dispelled. This was a sign that should be given him by the enemy themselves. He was to go down with his servant to the enemy's camp, and hear what they themselves said. Accordingly he went, and heard one telling a dream that he had had, namely, that a cake of barley-bread had rolled down a hill into the camp, and had overturned a tent : which dream was immediately interpreted by his comrade, as import- ing that this cake was no other than the sword of Gideon, and that God had delivered Midian into Gideon's hand*". This perfectly satisfied the mind of Gideon : he had no doubt now but that God would fulfil his promise : and in a full assurance of faith he instantly arranged every thing for the encoimterS.]
4. His success in it —
[The means he used were, no doubt, suggested to him by God himself. The little band were armed, not with sword and shield, but with a pitcher, a lamp, and a trumpet. They were instructed to surround the camp, and, at a given signal, to break their pitchers, display their lights, and sound their trum- pets, and, without moving from their places, to cry, " The sword of the Lord and of Gideon." This was executed in due order : and instantly a panic struck the whole host of Midian, who in their fright destroyed each other ; and, when put to
^ Judg. vi. 33 — 39. and vii. 8. ^ ver. 9 — 14.
!? ver. 15—18.