Judges 8:4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. I. THE FACTS. 1. Who and what were they who were "faint, yet pursuing"? The victorious three hundred, who had previously cried to the Lord. Victorious by Divine power, through faith, which produced works; they went forth, trusting in the Lord. Gideon's plan, like Abraham's, an instance of inspired judgment and energy, of Divine influence, not superseding, but exalting and invigorating, the natural faculties; not excluding, but producing consummate generalship. 2. The victors — weak in themselves — felt their bodily wants and infirmities. II. PRINCIPLES which the facts exemplify. 1. The preceding events in the context show the connection of sin and misery; the intention of Divine chastisements; the necessity and benefit of repentance; the required instrumentality of faith and obedience; God's care to exclude boasting. 2. The text, as a comment on the events, suggests that all God's people indeed are called to be conquerors like Gideon and his men — on the same principles. 3. Like Gideon and his men, they are called, and able, notwithstanding their weakness, to be still pursuing. 4. While thus pursuing, they are liable to be tried like Gideon and his men, with foolish, jealous, testy brethren, like the Ephraimites; to be disappointed of expected help by selfish or churlish brethren — as at Succoth and Penuel. 5. In the case of the Christian's spiritual warfare, as in Gideon's case, there is a disproportion of forces. Enemies — numerous, insolent, oppressive. Friends — some faint-hearted, some foolish, some selfish and churlish. The faithful weak and faint in themselves. But God is among His people — their sufficiency is of Him. 6. Not only converted individuals, but all true Churches, exemplify the same principles. (Isaac Keeling.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. |
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