CONTENTS The former Chapter was introductory to what is contained in this. Gideon was called in that to the Lord's service. And in this we find him entered upon it. We have here the Lord's directions concerning who should accompany him to the field of battle against Midian; how he should be sure of... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe how graciously the Lord follows up the first tokens of his grace with the after actings of his favor. But I would have the Reader more particularly remark how the Lord deals with his people in the trials of their faith; even by a method which proves the reverse of human policy. While Midian... [ Continue Reading ]
The Reader will do well, in reading this scripture, to meditate what he may suppose passed in the mind of Gideon, when, out of thirty-two thousand, ten thousand only remained. And yet even of those ten thousand, the Lord declared them to be too many. Oh! it is sweet, when faith is enabled to see all... [ Continue Reading ]
What a strange process, according to human ideas, was this of the Lord's, for pointing out to Gideon the army by which the Lord would conquer Midian. But Reader! turn your thoughts to a yet more astonishing process, when, by the cross of Jesus, the crown of salvation is obtained for his people. And... [ Continue Reading ]
This reminds us of the walls of Jericho, and the Holy Ghost hath caused to be recorded, that the victory was on one and the same account, and both by faith. See Heb_11:30; Heb_11:32-33.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, the gracious condescension of God, thus to furnish out means for the strengthening of Gideon's faith. Though the Lord Jesus is both the author and finisher of our faith, and all the faith his people have is of his own gracious giving; yet doth he mercifully arrange and order things for the... [ Continue Reading ]
As the Holy Ghost, in his own comment on this battle, (Hebrews 11:32), hath pronounced it to be a battle of faith, we have his authority to mark the prominent features of it, agreeable to this account. And hence I do not think the subject at all overstrained, if we behold in it somewhat strikingly t... [ Continue Reading ]
The midnight hour is what is particularly spoken of, as a season of terror. Matthew 25:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing can be more evident than that the battle was the Lord's; for the army of Israel did nothing but alarm, make a great noise, and look on. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. Exodus 14:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Reader should particularly remark the expression, The Lord set every man ' s sword against his fellow. The terrors of the mind make the wicked flee, when no man pursueth. And thus the Lord's promises are fulfilled. For how otherwise should one of God's people chase a thousand, or two put ten tho... [ Continue Reading ]
Though the Lord would not suffer victory to be wrought by more than three hundred, yet all Israel shall be called to the spoil. And thus, when Jesus accomplished salvation for his church and people, the whole of his train are invited to the feast of joy. See Revelation 19:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
The church in after ages records God's mercies to Israel, respecting those princes; and prays that the like vengeance may be taken of all God's foes. Psalms 83:11. The names of those princes, Oreb and Zeeb, were significant of the furiousness of their nature, signifying the raven and the wolf. And i... [ Continue Reading ]