CONTENTS In the progress of the history of Israel, we are here presented in this Chapter, with an account of Israel ' s rebellion by sin against God, after the forty years rest which the Lord had given them, from all their enemies, from the victory of Deborah and Barak. We are here told of their il... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! do not fail to remark with me how conscious guilt breeds fear. Is this Israel, victorious Israel, that skulks away, and from a contemptible people whom their fathers had overrun and almost destroy ed. See Numbers 31:7. But alas! is it not so with all God's Israel? Dearest Jesus! how doth a s... [ Continue Reading ]
How hath the Holy Ghost marked with precision, this very state of punishment which the Lord exercises over the sins of his people. See Leviticus 26:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is the first cry of grace which we meet with in the Lord's heritage under all their sufferings? Seven whole years of misery before that one cry to the Lord for deliverance is heard. No doubt Israel did as you and I have done under our sorrows, that is, tried every resource but the right, and ev... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe the sweet methods of God's grace. No sooner doth Israel cry but the Lord hears and answers. Indeed the promise is, Before my people call I will answer. The Lord waiteth to be gracious. Isa_65:24; Isa_30:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe how by the ministry of a prophet, the Lord makes way for the salvation of his people. And is not God doing so now? Doth he not by the word of the gospel call upon sinners to return? Is he not by yet an higher messenger, even the Holy Ghost himself, preparing the heart for the cordial recepti... [ Continue Reading ]
I cannot hesitate to believe, that this was that same Almighty angel who, all along from creation, at various times manifested himself to his people as occasion required, and as it pleased him. I say I cannot hesitate to form this conclusion, because he who is in this verse called an angel of Jehova... [ Continue Reading ]
There is somewhat very striking in this short conversation; short as it is, it conveys much more than the mere words express. If this angel was, as the whole sense of the passage seems to intimate, the Lord Jesus, it is very true indeed, that the Lord was with him. The answer is also as striking: fo... [ Continue Reading ]
I beg the Reader not to overlook the expression, the Lord looked upon him. Was there not somewhat particularly striking in this look of the Lord? Surely his grace, his power, his love, his promised favor and protection, accompanied that look. Wonders have been wrought by the piercing eye of Jesus up... [ Continue Reading ]
This objection, if greater had not arisen in Gideon's mind after, would not have carried with it an evidence of little faith, for it bespoke great humbleness of soul, and a becoming spirit. It is a promise never to be forgotten, that the Lord resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Jame... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! do not overlook the gracious condescension of Jesus to the fears and doubts of his people, while you are reading this verse. It is thus, depend upon it, he deals with them all. Matthew 12:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
From this intreaty it is evident that Gideon's heart was affected, and that he desired only additional evidences of the authority given to him. And I rather am inclined to think, that, as in former cases to Israel, in the appearances made to them by this angel, whom we cannot suppose Gideon was so l... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, Gideon presented it to the angel! Wherefore? Did he know indeed that our Jesus was, as well as now is, a priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec? Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 7:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe the trials of faith. In pouring out the broth, and laying the flesh on the cold rock, would not both cool? And how then should both be fit for sacrifice? Is it not thus frequently done by the Lord to his servants, that against hope they may, by the influences of his Holy Spirit, believe in h... [ Continue Reading ]
The fear of Gideon, on the discovery, was very natural, and corresponded to what the Lord had himself long before told Moses concerning the sight of God. See Exodus 33:20. Reader! what a delightful view doth this give us of the person and offices of our adorable Redeemer. Jesus, by tabernacling in s... [ Continue Reading ]
There is a great beauty in this verse, if read in gospel language. The eye that beholds God in Christ, is so far from being in danger of death, that in him he beholds peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah Shalom, means the Lord our Peace. As if he had said, The Lord is at peace with me. It is the title which in that very spot Gideon desired ever after to know his God by. And is it not so by the true believer in Jesus, after once the soul is brought into the possession of that peace with God w... [ Continue Reading ]
Perhaps this second visit of God was in a vision of. the night. It should seem by this account that the house of Gideon was engaged in the worship of idols, as well as other houses in Israel. And if so, it serves to manifest an evidence of distinguishing grace, that from such an house the Lord shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
Gideon's apprehension doth not seem to have arisen from fear of offence, in that he did it by night; but for fear of interruption, he wished to accomplish the divine command, and therefore did it perhaps the same night. He well knew the consequence of the people's displeasure, but which it should se... [ Continue Reading ]
To what an awful length of apostasy must Israel have been arrived, to condemn openly and without shame, one whose offence was zeal for Jehovah' s honour, and a detestation of the worship of a dunghill deity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whether from fatherly affection, or from an higher principle of grace in the heart, this conduct of Joash sprung, I do not determine. But no doubt, the Lord overruled his mind in favor of his son.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jerub-baal, that is, let Baal plead.... [ Continue Reading ]
The year of deliverance to Israel was come, and therefore the Lord inclined the hearts of their enemies to gather together. See Judges 4:6; Micah 4:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
I beg the Reader to take notice of the expression, that the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Gideon. Yes! it is that holy and eternal God, who worketh by his instruments through all the world of Providence and grace. Reader! be very earnest in your searchings, whether you are under his blessed influence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Though clothed and armed with the Spirit of the Lord, yet, as the Lord is graciously pleased to work with human instruments, Gideon calls in the Lord's people to his aid. And are we not taught to do the same by prayer? See Paul's manner on this subject, Hebrews 13:18, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is probable that those requests of Gideon were more for the confirmation of the faith of his companions, than for his own; similar to those questions which John the Baptist sent to Jesus. For they are proposed with such humbleness of soul, that they do not carry with them those marks of doubt tha... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS READER! let you and I pause over this chapter, and in the view of Israel's repeated departures from the Lord God of their mercies, behold the picture of our own hearts. How often, how very often, hath our adorable Redeemer saved us from our enemies, and yet how prone are we to forget the... [ Continue Reading ]