The Pulpit Commentary — Judges — Section 78

II. _SUGGESTI?N IS GJ~EN HO'". TO P~RF~CT OUR SERVICE, In every saint's life t!1ere is sometl1mg wnntmg·-an mdefimte mcompleteness and crudity. Such revela- tions and pro,idences remove this. Their practical utility is evident. Here were several matters made know!1. to Gideon he had not p_robably dreamt of. 1. The carele~sness of the watch,_ a~s_mg probably from t.he notion that Israel had disagreed :tnd dispersed. 2. The hnb1hty of an army so composed, &c., to panic. 3. The mfluence of bis own name (the use he made of this we know by the cry). 4. The secret fear in the l:earts of his adversaries. III. IT IS BY 1 RE MORAL INFLUENCE OF Go D's PEOPLE THE WORLD IS OVERCOME. Christians are too much afraid of the world. Fear not, says the Master1 for I have overcome the world. Vivid realisations of this are sometimes afforded us. The whole stress of attention ought therefore to be laid upon character, obedience to God's will and submission to his leadership. Though few and weak, tho "little flock" wili recei,e the kingdom. It is Christ in us of whom the wicked and the demons are afraid. Of what consequence all their multitude and array? Secretly the world respects and fears the self-deuial and faith of Christians. IV. A GRACIOUS REVELATION LIKE THIS HAS TO BE RECOGNISED ADORINGLY AND BY IMMEDIATE PRACTICAL OBEDIENCE. Gideon "worshipped" Jehovah. It :was a time when every obstacle had been removed, and his way was clearly revealed. He could now sympathise with God and admire his consummate wisdom. For himself too he must have felt grateful. God was better to him than he had hoped. Victory was potentially his. No wonder that his heart poured itself forth in such unrestrained and adoring emotion. But the lesson of the sign was not lost. Practical advantage was at once taken of it. Be "returned unto the host of Israel, anrl said, Arise," &c. Do not allow God's gracious revelations in our lives to be a dead letter. Act upon them, that our lives may be brought into subjection and harmony with bis will.-M. Vers. lf>--22.-Inspired tact-ics. The strategy of Gideon is one of the military marvels of antiquity. It seems simple and well adapted to its end; but that did not appear at first. In truth be was taught of God, inspiring his mind and illuminating bis common sense, his experience, and his spiritual faculties. From the "lamps, pitchers, and trumpets " we learn- I. How THE ENEMIES OF Goo ARE TO BE DEALT WITH. 1. The means to be em- 1,loyed are of Divine appointment. Not what human wisdom would devise, nor as appealing to material aid. "Gideon overcame Midian with unarmed soldiers, bearing only trumpets, torches, and pitchers. So Christ overcame the world by unarmed npostles, bearing the trumpet of preaching and the torch of miracles" (Theodoret). 2. Prompt and intellir:,ent advantage is to be taken of the opportunities presented. Wbat served at this juncture would have been entirely useless at ,another time. Knowledge of men is of immense advantage to the Christian worker; tact, and per- ception of the capabilities of the several means of grace. The power of Christian truth can never be overrated, but it may be misapplied. 3. Unity and co-operation should be shown by God's servants. Nothing could be finer than the device, so.ve the manner in which it was carried out. Greater works than these shall be done when all Christ's servants are of one heart and one mind. II. IN WHAT LIGHT THEIR POWER 18 TO BE REGARDED. Gideon began his enter- prise with the conviction, which be communicated to his followers, "The Lord ~o.th delivered into your hand the host of Midian." The victory is already potentially ours if we use the right means in the right spirit. All the pomp and influence of sin ought not to de.unt us. It is a house divided against itself, and subject to a thousand alarms. The least saint, in God's strength, may put an" army of aliens" to flight. III. UPON WHOM THE SOLDIER OF 'fHE TRUTH OUGHT 1·0 DEPEND. Gideon is filled throughout with a profound trust in Jehovah. It is that which gives the moro.l character to his plans. Although he saw how potent his own name was ar;nongst the Midianites 7 he did not content himself with the war-cry," The sword of Gideon," but preferred "The sword of the Lord (Jehovah) and of Gideon.''. C~ristians onn rely implicitly upon epiritual meuns and methods, because they beheve m God, who informs aud directs all eamest effort. 'l'he Israelites stood still and the Lord fongh1 fur them.-M. CJI, VII. ()_ 25,j nm BOOK OF JUDGES. 83