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Still Too Many, May 2
Judges 7:4-23
And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them
down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be,
that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go
with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee,
the same shall not go.
Judges 7:4
.
The people were led down to the waterside, expecting to make an immediate
advance upon the enemy. A few hastily took a little water in the hand and sucked
it up as they went on; but nearly all bowed upon their knees, and leisurely drank
from the surface of the stream. Those who took of the water in their hands were
but three hundred out of ten thousand; yet these were selected; all the rest were
permitted to return to their homes.
By the simplest means character is often tested. Those who in time of peril
were intent upon supplying their own wants were not the men to be trusted in
an emergency. The Lord has no place in His work for the indolent and self-
indulgent. The men of His choice were the few who would not permit their own
wants to delay them in the discharge of duty. The three hundred chosen men not
only possessed courage and self-control, but they were men of faith. They had
not defiled themselves with idolatry. God could direct them, and through them
He could work deliverance for Israel. Success does not depend upon numbers.
God can deliver by few as well as by many. He is honored not so much by the
great numbers as by the character of those who serve Him
All who would be soldiers of the cross of Christ, must gird on the armor and
prepare for conflict. They should not be intimidated by threats, or terrified by
dangers. They must be cautious in peril, yet firm and brave in facing the foe and
doing battle for God. The consecration of Christ’s follower must be complete.
Father, mother, wife, children, houses, lands, everything, must be held secondary
to the work and cause of God. He must be willing to bear patiently, cheerfully,
joyfully, whatever in God’s providence he may be called to suffer. His final
reward will be to share with Christ the throne of immortal glory
[129]
3
Patriarchs and Prophets, 549, 550
.
4
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1003
.
133