Article December 12, 1931 Issue

"Every man in his place"

MYRTLE TIMMONS SUTHERLAND

As related in the seventh chapter of Judges, from a human standpoint it seemed indeed a formidable army that the young Gideon and his small band of followers were about to encounter. We read, "And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude."

Through an inspired process of selection, Gideon had a band of only three hundred men left from an original number of thirty-two thousand. The rejection of those who admitted that they were afraid had reduced the force to ten thousand. As the next step in Gideon's procedure for securing a following of those who were mentally trustworthy in the need of the hour, at the crossing of a stream God directed him to observe those who stooped down to the water to drink. All but three hundred did so. The three hundred scooped up the water in their hands and drank, using their eyes to watch while doing so, thus proving their alertness.

The logical accomplishment of such a group is set forth in the remainder of the story. Concerning their attack on the Midianite camp the historian relates, "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled." Further we read, "And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them." The record closes with the account of the complete discomfiture of the enemy.

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