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describe the terror of the surrounding nations when they learned what simple
means had prevailed against the power of a bold； warlike people。
The leader whom God chose to overthrow the Midianites occupied no prominent
position in Israel。 He was not a ruler； a priest； or a Levite。 He thought
himself the least in his father's house。 But God saw in him a man of courage
and integrity。 He was distrustful of himself and willing to follow the
guidance of the Lord。 God does not always choose for His work men of the
greatest talents； but He selects those whom He can best use。 〃Before honor
is humility。〃 Proverbs 15：33。 The Lord can work most effectually through
those who are most sensible of their own insufficiency； and who will rely
upon Him as their leader and source of strength。 He will make them strong by
uniting their weakness to His might； and wise by connecting their ignorance
with His wisdom。
If they would cherish true humility； the Lord could do much more for His
people； but there are few who can be trusted with any large measure of
responsibility or success without becoming
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self…confident and forgetful of their dependence upon God。 This is why； in
choosing the instruments for His work； the Lord passes by those whom the
world honors as great； talented； and brilliant。 They are too often proud and
self…sufficient。 They feel competent to act without counsel from God。
The simple act of blowing a blast upon the trumpet by the army of Joshua
around Jericho； and by Gideon's little band about the hosts of Midian； was
made effectual； through the power of God； to overthrow the might of His
enemies。 The most complete system that men have ever devised； apart from the
power and wisdom of God； will prove a failure； while the most unpromising
methods will succeed when divinely appointed and entered upon with humility
and faith。 Trust in God and obedience to His will are as essential to the
Christian in the spiritual warfare as to Gideon and Joshua in their battles
with the Canaanites。 By the repeated manifestations of His power in behalf
of Israel； God would lead them to have faith in Himwith confidence to seek
His help in every emergency。 He is just as willing to work with the efforts
of His people now and to accomplish great things through weak
instrumentalities。 All heaven awaits our demand upon its wisdom and
strength。 God is 〃able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or
think。〃 Ephesians 3：20。
Gideon returned from pursuing the enemies of the nation； to meet censure and
accusation from his own countrymen。 When at his call the men of Israel had
rallied against the Midianites； the tribe of Ephraim had remained behind。
They looked upon the effort as a perilous undertaking； and as Gideon sent
them no special summons； they availed themselves of this excuse not to join
their brethren。 But when the news of Israel's triumph reached them； the
Ephraimites were envious because they had not shared it。 After the rout of
the Midianites； the men of Ephraim had； by Gideon's direction； seized the
fords of the Jordan； thus preventing the escape of the fugitives。 By this
means a large number of the enemy were slain； among whom were two princes；
Oreb and Zeeb。 Thus the men of Ephraim followed up the battle； and helped
complete the victory。 Nevertheless； they were jealous and angry； as though
Gideon had been led by his own will and judgment。 They did not discern God's
hand in the triumph of Israel； they did not appreciate His power and mercy
in their
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deliverance； and this very fact showed them unworthy to be chosen as His
special instruments。
Returning with the trophies of victory； they angrily reproached Gideon： 〃Why
hast thou served us thus； that thou calledst us not； when thou wentest to
fight with the Midianites？〃
〃What have I done now； in comparison of you？〃 said Gideon。 〃Is not the
gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer？ God
hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian； Oreb and Zeeb： and
what was I able to do in comparison of you？〃
The spirit of jealousy might easily have been fanned into a quarrel that
would have caused strife and bloodshed； but Gideon's modest answer soothed
the anger of the men of Ephraim； and they returned in peace to their homes。
Firm and uncompromising where principle was concerned； and in war a 〃mighty
man of valor；〃 Gideon displayed also a spirit of courtesy that is rarely
witnessed。
The people of Israel； in their gratitude at deliverance from the Midianites；
proposed to Gideon that he should become their king； and that the throne
should be confirmed to his descendants。 This proposition was in direct
violation of the principles of the theocracy。 God was the king of Israel；
and for them to place a man upon the throne would be a rejection of their
Divine Sovereign。 Gideon recognized this fact； his answer shows how true and
noble were his motives。 〃I will not rule over you；〃 he declared； 〃neither
shall my son rule over you： the Lord shall rule over you。〃
But Gideon was betrayed into another error； which brought disaster upon his
house and upon all Israel。 The season of inactivity that succeeds a great
struggle is often fraught with greater danger than is the period of
conflict。 To this danger Gideon was now exposed。 A spirit of unrest was upon
him。 Hitherto he had been content to fulfill the directions given him from
God； but now； instead of waiting for divine guidance； he began to plan for
himself。 When the armies of the Lord have gained a signal victory； Satan
will redouble his efforts to overthrow the work of God。 Thus thoughts and
plans were suggested to the mind of Gideon； by which the people of Israel
were led astray。
Because he had been commanded to offer sacrifice upon the rock where the
Angel appeared to him； Gideon concluded that
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he had been appointed to officiate as a priest。 Without waiting for the
divine sanction； he determined to provide a suitable place； and to institute
a system of worship similar to that carried on at the tabernacle。 With the
strong popular feeling in his favor he found no difficulty in carrying out
his plan。 At his request all the earrings of gold taken from the Midianites
were given him as his share of the spoil。 The people also collected many
other costly materials； together with the richly adorned garments of the
princes of Midian。 From the material thus furnished； Gideon constructed an
ephod and a breastplate； in imitation of those worn by the high priest。 His
course proved a snare to himself and his family； as well as to Israel。 The
unauthorized worship led many of the people finally to forsake the Lord
altogether； to serve idols。 After Gideon's death great numbers； among whom
were his own family； joined in this apostasy。 The people were led away from
God by the very man who had once overthrown their idolatry。
There are few who realize how far…reaching is the influence of their words
and acts。 How often the errors of parents produce the most disastrous
effects upon their children and children's children； long after the actors
th