CONTENTS This Chapter is but a continuation of the history of the battle, and success of Gideon, related in the former. It forms indeed the sequel of Gideon's life. The consequence of his victory excited the displeasure of the Ephramites, because he called them not to the battle. Gideon softens the... [ Continue Reading ]
How gracious the mind of Gideon, in turning away wrath by gentleness. But observe, how Gideon points to the hand of God in all this business. See a sweet instance in the patriarch Joseph to the same effect. Genesis 45:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! remark the state of Gideon's little army; faint, yet pursuing. Is not this the exact representation of all the army of Jesus? Who more faint than the harassed soldier of the great Captain of our salvation? Who gives over less than he who holds on, and holds out, and is faithful unto death, t... [ Continue Reading ]
The men of Succoth, and of Penuel, were Israelites by descent, but sadly degenerated from the spirit of Israel. The Reader will recollect, however, that these things happened during the time of the commonwealth of Israel, when every man did according to his own corrupt desires. The Judges, which fro... [ Continue Reading ]
This event, in the death of those princes, forms a song of praise, and a subject of prayer, in the after ages of the church. See Psalms 83:11. But let the Reader remark, in their destruction, the sure ruin of all the church ' s foes; for this is the great improvement to be made of this history. It w... [ Continue Reading ]
This request was apparently very proper, for who so suited to govern as one whom the Lord had honored. Reader! If you and I spiritualize this passage, and make application to the Lord Jesus, of the request made to Gideon and from the same cause, would it not be exceedingly pro per? For hath not Jesu... [ Continue Reading ]
By Gideon ' s answer, it evidently appears, that there was a spirit of idolatry in Israel: they desired, like the nations around, a king, thereby denying the government of God. If you consult these scriptures, they will serve to throw a light upon the subject: 1 Samuel 8:4 and 1 Samuel 12:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whatever were the views of Gideon in this ephod, is not easily determined. Aaron had fallen into a similar transgression, in the time the church was in the wilderness. Alas! what are the best of men for a moment, if not upheld by grace? Exodus 32:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is somewhat very remarkable in the agreement, between the times of the several periods in which the Lord gave rest to his people from their enemies, Forty years. Moses' life was divided into three forties. The church was in a wilderness-state forty years. And this is spoken of by the Lord hims... [ Continue Reading ]
The retired state of Gideon, after the Lord had blessed Israel through his instrumentality, may serve to teach the believer the humbleness of mind becoming the Lord's servants. It is sweet, when we are enabled through grace to minister to God's glory in public; and equally so, when we are enabled to... [ Continue Reading ]
Although from the infirmities and corruptions of our fallen nature, many of the early followers of the Lord, had more than one wife, yet, the Holy Ghost hath pointed out both the sin and folly of it; for, in every instance, we are taught what a trouble it produced in families; witness Abraham ' s ho... [ Continue Reading ]
A good old age, in scripture language, is, I apprehend, a life of grace. To this same purport is that very precious word. Isaiah 65:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
What an awful representation do the Scriptures of God afford, of the total depravity and corruption of the heart. In all ages it breaks out. Lord, what is man? Baal-berith, in the original, signifies, the Lord of a Covenant; as if Israel had covenanted with an idol to their ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe how they forgot God, and how should they be grateful to man! How beautifully doth the Psalmist introduce to view, the wonderful goodness of God, when from the very sins of his people, the Lord takes occasion to display the riches of his grace. Psalms 106:1 throughout, but particularly from P... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS MY soul! pause over the review of this chapter. Call to mind the wonderful mercies shown to Israel, as related in the former chapter, and then behold the issue of divine deliverances, in the shameful departure of Israel to idolatry. My soul! art thou not astonished at the view of such p... [ Continue Reading ]