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December 30, 1914.
A FAMILY PAPER.
Inthe Sabbath School
By Rev. P. P. Reade.
Lesson 3. January 17.
"THE CALL OF GIDEON."
Judges 6:11-40. Commit verses 14-16.
Golden Text: Blessed is the man whom thou
choosest.—Psalm 65:4.
Daily Readings.
Monday, 11. Judges 6:11-24.
Tuesday, 12. Judges 6:25-40.
Wednesday, 13. Judges 6:1-10.
Thursday, 14. Exodus 3:1-10.
Friday, 15. Isaiah 6:1-13.
Saturday, 16. Acts 22:1-15.
Sabbath, 17. 2 Tim. 1:1-14.
Lesson Psalms.
136:l-,2, 9-12 No. 373.
44:10-12 No. 120.
78:22-26 No. 207.
103:5-8 'No. 275.
Comments.
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY. Verse 11.—
"There came an angel." It should be rendered,
"the angel of the Lord came." The phrase is
used nearly sixty times to designate the Angel
of God's presence. The Angel always delivers a
message as if God Himself were the speaker, and
not with the introductory "Thus saith the Lord,"
which the prophets employed. "An oak." Heb.
"the oak;" for, from that day it became a noted
landmark. "Ophrah.," A city of Manassah about
six miles west of Shechem, to be distinguished
from a city of the same name in Benjamin. Josh.
17:2.
Verse 12.—"The 'Lord is with thee." A common
form of salutation (Ruth 2:4); but sometimes,
as here, an assertion containing a promise.
Comp. Lu. 1:28.
Verse 13.—"Oh my Lord." Gideon first addresses
the angel with a title equivalent to "sir;"
but when he understands the real nature of his
visitor he gives him the name usually applied
to God, V. 15 (R. v.), V. 22. "Why is all this befallen
us" The question shows want of reflection.
These chastisements were a proof that God
still had an interest in His people. See Ps.
32:3, 5.
Verse 14.—"Looked upon him." Literally,
"turned towards him." A phrase denoting favor.
Ps. 25:16. "Have not I sent thee" The interrogative
lends, strength to the affirmation, and the
sending implies a valid commission. Comp. ch.
4:14; 5:30; Is. 61:1; Lu. 10:3.
Verse 15.—"Wherewith shall I save Israel"
From a sense of humility he excuses himself. Ex.
3:1L
Verse 16.—"I will be with thee." The same answer
as that given to Moses. Ex. 3:12. Comp.
2 Cor. 4:7.
Verse 17.—"Show me a sign." The rarity of
revelations in such a period of general corruption
makes Gideon desirous of convincing proof.
Being a reasonable request it is graciously granted.
Verse 18.—"My present." Used generally, although
not exclusively, of the meat offering. The
double sense of the word accords with the doubt
in Gideon's mind as to whether his visitor is God
or man
Verse 19.—"An ephab." The amount commonly
used for one baking but, of course, much more
than one person could eat at a meal.
Verse 20.—"Upon the rock," which would serve
for an altar. Ch. 13:19, 20. "Pour out the broth."
Libations were a very ancient form of offering.
Gen. 35:14. The pouring out would also make
thp miracle ot the consuming fire more apparent.
Verse 21.—"The staff." The angel appeared
as a traveller. "Rose up fire." Comp. Lev. 9:24;
1 Kings 18:24, 38.
Verse 22.—"Alas, 0 Lord God." See Gen. 32:
30 where, as well as here, the notion clearly aopears
that it was death for mortal man to behold
God.
fort not often ever be now we from Josh. when sarily PXPOSITORY.
Verse One gnmething sav. rise on helned Jabin makes tbe 22:28. for might the 24.—"Gideon long and history a sacrifice and them.. lower new a nor adhere think "Unto like man the start,—turn was far." level The But religion, but power that forget to this built put Oppression.
no; seem Increasing the Israel, day," of into for and yet only so over his monument altar." a writing. much peace being i. time "the chariots, One prosperity e., new Not better there tide and delivered who leaf rather. neces­
would may time com­
does had than as so
a contending for something higher. Israel lost
sight of its mission and destiny and so, feeling
no need of faith, permitted it to decay. Then
followed naturally loss of vigor and alertness; and
soon the Israelites who, during their wilderness
wanderings were more than a match for the Midianites,
fall an easy prey to the Arab hordes.
Today we may read a lesson from Israel's history.
Today is it true that through want of
alertness "guerilla troops of naturalism" and the
hordes of science falsely so-called are sweeping
the region of faith. In periodicals and from platforms
we hear the irresponsible talk; and so
strong is the invasion that it well-nigh seems as
though earnest people of God are forced to betake
themselves to the caves of the mountains,
while this modern barbarism reaps the harvests
in the rich plains of the land.
"Son, Remember."
Israel, in its extremity, turns to Jehovah. The
Master told of a certain rich man who did that
very thing, but it was then too late. However, it
is not yet too late for these people. Jehovah
sends a prophet to them who reminds them of
former blessings somewhat as Abraham, in the
story, calls upon Dives to remember. But there
is a note of hope in this man's voice, for Israel
is not past redemption as yet. The answer to
prayer lies very near to him who cries for salvation,
and the answer came to this people just
as soon as their wills were bent towards a better
life.
The Call.
Southwest from Schechem, among the hills of
Manassah at O'phrah, lived a family that had suffered
keenly from the Midianite. The youngest
of the family, Gideon by name,—whose father
was head of a Thousand and an idolater,—by reason
of a nobler temper than most of his people,
felt keenly the sense of injury, and, no doubt,
was already pondering deeply the causes for
Israel's reverses. As he threshes out the wheat
in secret a stranger accosts tliis future deliverer
of Israel who looks "every inch a king." At the
greeting, "Jehovah is with thee, thou mighty man
of valor," he can only wonder and question inwardly;
for if God is with him and Israel,—and
his life is bound up in that of his people,—why
are che tribes harassed and spoiled by enemies
Gideon makes the nation's plight a personal affair.
Well for us if we can grasp this principle
and be likewise desirous of salvation for our
land in order that our personal hope may be to
us worth the having. Then, perhaps, like Gideon,
we shall hear the call, "Go in this thy might
and save Israel;" and no matter how poor and
insignificant our lives seem in our own sight,
we shall be encouraged by the assurance, "Surely
I will be with thee."
"I will sup with thee."
Great peace has come to this man as a result
ot a spiritual meal and its accompaniments. He
had demanded a sign and received it,—divine
flre went out of the rock at the touch of the
stranger's staff.
And Gideon, like Isaiah, feels that he is undone:
for he has seen, face to face, the Angel ot
the Presence. But the reassuring words, "Peace
be unto thee," set his mind at rest and he builds
the altar. Jehovah-shalom, as a memorial of the
event. He has let the iChrist into his heart and
life,—they have supped together, and Gideon, justifled
by his faith, has peace with God. Would
that those who seek to risht the ills of our time
would bring such an offering,—would present
their bodies as a living sacrifice unto God, before
embarking upon the sea of poIiUcal reform Would
that men would admit the Christ into their hearts,
would sup with Him, would acquire His peace,
ere they attempt to alleviate the ills of a restless
world. , „ J -.-u
"What agreement hath a temple of God with
idols" ^ ^ . ^
Having built his altar and entered into covenant
with Jehovah Gideon, in a sudden flash of
prophetic insight, sees what first to do. In his
own bas I