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came down governors, and out of Zebulun || fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach they that handle the pen of the writer. by the waters of Megiddo: they took no 15 And the princes of Issachar were gain of money. with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.

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16 Why abodest thou among the sheep-folds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there || were great searchings of heart.

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17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea-shore, and abode ช in his breaches.

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20 They fought from heaven, "the stars in their #courses fought against Siscra.

21 The river of Kishon swept them. away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.

22 Then were the horse-hoofs broken by the means of the prancings, the prancings of their mighty ones.

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23 Čurse ye Meroz, said the Angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.

24 e Blessed above women shall Jael r See on 1:27.-1 Kings 4:12. | Sø Or, tramplings, or, plungs 30. 4:16.

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ings.

a 1 Sam. 26:19. Jer. 48:10. 1 Cor. 16:22.

b See on 2:1. 4:6. 6:11. 13:3. -Matt. 25:41.

c 21 9,10. Neh. 3:5.

d 1 Sam. 17:47. 18:17. 25:28. Rom. 15:18. 1 Cor. 3:9. 2 Cor. 6:1.

e 4:17. Gen. 14:19. Prov. 31:31. Luke 1:42.

the first engagement.-It is remarkable that Judah and Simeon are not mentioned in this poem, either as deserving censure or commendation: and this cannot well be accounted for; unless the inhabitants of the southern part of the land were at that time so circumstanced, that it could not be expected they should help their brethren of the

V. 19. Some other kings of Canaan had confederated with Jabin, entirely out of hatred against Israel, without receiving any recompense for their assistance.

V. 14. Deborah next proceeds to enumerate those who assisted on this occasion, beginning with Ephraim. It is probable, that the Amalekites were coming to the assistance of Jabin; and that a body of men of the tribe of Ephraim, (sprung from Ephraim as their root,) opposed and prevailed against them: yet Benjamin moved first, and the Ephraimites assisted him.-The govern-north. (Note, 3:30.) ors of Machir, or Manasseh, came to the assistance of Barak, and formed useful commanders: and the Zebulunites were so much in earnest, that even their students, or artists, came to join the army, and to serve the common cause. (Marg. V. 20. The angels are called "morning stars," Ref.) (Job 38:7.) and their assistance may be here V. 15, 16. Both the princes and people of Is-meant: or in poetical language, a violent tempest, sachar came, of their own accord, to attend on Deborah, and to accompany Barak, when he was sent down into the valley, with his small number of foot-soldiers poorly armed, to meet the army and war-chariots of Sisera. (8. Note, 4:14.)-Yet Reuben kept at a distance, as disaffected to the common cause, or unconcerned about it; which excited much uneasiness and resentment, and occasioned many thoughts in the minds of his brethren. But he made the care of his flocks the pretence for remaining at home on this conjuncture.

raised at that time, which greatly facilitated the destruction of the Canaanites, might be ascribed to the influences of the stars in their courses; which thus, without any such miraculous alteration in the heavens, as took place in the days of Joshua, fought effectually against Sisera and his army. (Note, Josh. 10:12-14.)-Some think the battle continued during part of the night; and that the bright shining of the stars enabled Israel more successfully to pursue and more effectually to destroy their enemies.

the Canaanites, attempting to cross it, were swept away by it.-Deborah, by exciting Barak and the Israelites against their powerful enemies, and by their strong faith and fervent prayers, had trodden down their strength in the very dust. (Note, Mic. 7:8—10.)

V. 21. The river of Kishon.] Marg. Ref.-The V. 17. The tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of stream of this rivulet seems to have been so swellManasseh, inhabited mount Gilead: and Machired by the rains which had fallen, that numbers of before-mentioned seems to have been that half of Manasseh which dwelt west of Jordan. (14) It is probable, that all the Israelites, who dwelt east of Jordan, abode at home and refused their concurrence. The tribes of Dan and Asher did the same; the one being occupied in merchandise, or fishery; and the other, as some think, in repairing the breaches, or stopping the incursions, which the sea had made upon their inheritance. (Marg. Ref.)

V. 18. From these two tribes Barak had raised his army; and they had boldly ventured and even despised their lives, in meeting the enemy, with their iron-chariots, in the open field of battle. (Notes, 4:6,7,14.) But some of the others were ready to follow the blow, though not present in

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V. 22. Marg. Ref.-Note, Is. 5:26-30.

V. 23. It is probable that Meroz was some town or city, near to the field of battle, and that the inhabitants were more inexcusable in not affording their assistance, than those who lived at a distance: and perhaps their refusal arose from a secret favor borne to the Canaanites. The Lord did not want their help against the mightiest of his enemies; but their conduct proved their unbelief and degeneracy.--Deborah did not curse

the wife of Heber the Kenite be; blessed || Why is his chariot so long in coming? shall she be above women in the tent.

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them out of personal resentment, but "the Angel
of the LORD" commanded her to pronounce a
curse upon them; that Angel of the Lord, who
was the "Captain of the LORD's host." (Note, ||
Josh. 5:13-15.)-Perhaps Meroz had before been
a flourishing city; but in consequence of this
curse, it became so obscure that its situation is at
present unknown. (Note, Josh. 6:26.)

why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
29 Her wise ladies answered her, yea,
she returned answer to herself,

30 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two? to Sisera a prey of divers colors, a prey of divers colors of needlework, of divers colors of needle-work on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?

31 So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

4:15. Cant. 8:14. Jam. 5:7.

Heb. her words.
Ex. 15:9. Job 20:5.
Heb. the head of a man.

m Gen. 37:3. 2 Sam. 13:18. Ps.
45:14.

n Ps. 48:4,5. 58:10,11. 68:1-3.
83:9-18. 97.8. Rev. 6:10.
18:20. 19:2,3.

o Ex. 20:6. Deut. 6:5. Ps. 91:
14. 97:10. Rom. 8:28. 1 Cor.
8:3. Eph. 6:24 Jam. 1:12. 2
5. 1 Pet. 1:8. 1 John 4.19-21.
5:2,3.

p 2 Sam. 23:4. Ts. 19:4,5. 37:6.
Prov. 4:13. Dan. 12:3. Hos.
6:3. Matt. 13:43.
q 3:11,30.

Israelitish virgins divided among the conquerors, as their property, to be exposed to their unbridled, domineering lust! And that nothing more excellent could be conceived by her trifling mind, than to see her son, and his attendants and concubines, arrayed in fine garments, wrought by the singu lar skill and industry of their vanquished enemies! V. 31. The mother of Sisera is left to enjoy her

pointment; while the hymn of praise concludes with praying for similar destruction to all the enemies of the Lord, and prosperity to those wh love him; that their characters may be honorable their endeavors successful, their course increas ingly useful, and their path shining more and more; till they resemble the noon-day, when the sun by his full strength has dispelled the mists and clouds which his rising draws up, and which at first obscure his way, but afterwards increase his splendor. (Notes, Ps. 68:1-3. Rev. 19:1--6.)

V. 24. The inhabitants of Meroz, though Is-imaginary triumph, and meet her bitter disapraelites, feared the power or valued the friendship of the Canaanites, more than they dreaded the power and desired the favor of God; and they were therefore joined with the accursed Canaanites. Jael, though not a native Israelite, from faith, and love to the cause of God, preferred the friendship of his oppressed people to that of their enemies; and she was joined with them in the blessing, yea, had a special and superior blessing. (Notes, Matt. 25:31-46. Gal. 3:6-14.) And indeed, "in the tent," she jeoparded her life as much as the soldiers did "in the high places of the field." (Notes, 4:21. Josh. 2:8-16.)

V. 26, 27. When Jael had driven the nail through the head of Sisera, she perhaps cut it off with his own sword: though indeed no intimation is given of it in the history; and the words may merely be a poetical repetition of the same idea by a variety of terms. (Note, 1 Sam. 17:50--53.) When he felt the anguish of the nail penetrating his head, perhaps he struggled to arise, but fell down again, and bowed, and died at her feet; finding death where he had sought life, and a terrible enemy where he expected a kind friend.

V. 23. The mother of Sisera, with impatient expectation, looked for his return, and wondered what so long delayed him; not in the least fearing his success in a contest with so unequal an enemy, as Barak and his forces appeared to her. In an ordinary poem we should say, this was finely imagined: but we may here conclude it was actually

the case.

Had rest forty years.] It is not agreed whether these years are to be computed from the time that Deborah was raised up to be judge; or from the beginning of the oppression by Jabin. The former is the more obvious interpretation. (Notes, 3:11,30.)

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-11.

No delay should be made in returning thanks to God for his mercies: for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable, when they flow from a full heart: nor should we be backward to celebrate his praises, and declare our obligations to him, before his most determined enemies, or in the presence of the mightiest and haughtiest of the princes of the earth. Let them be reminded, that the Lord is above them; and against them, so long as they seek their own glory and oppose his cause: let them be warned to "rejoice with trembling" in their dangerous preironi-eminence: let them lower their diadems to the crown of "the King of kings;" and learn to embrace his salvation, and become his servants, or they will ere long perish like Jabin and Sisera. (Ps. 83:9,10. Note, Ps. 2:10-12.)-Those princes who desire to serve God, must trust in him, and not in chariots and horses, fleets, or armies; they must use their authority in advancing truth and righteousness, and account his worship to be their most honorable and delightful privilege and employment.-Every recent mercy calls upon us to renew our gratitude for former benefits: the works

V. 29. Wise.] This seems to be spoken cally. Her ladies, in their great wisdom, suggested that Sisera only waited to divide the immense spoil which had been taken; and she as wisely pleased her vain mind with the soothing imagina

tion!

V. 30. (Marg. Ref.)-A damsel or two.] What a picture does this give of an ungodly and sensual heart! How shameful are these wishes of an aged mother for a beloved son, and his officers and soldiers: that a woman of honor and virtue, as we say, could delight her fancy, with conceiving the 704]

CHAP. VI.

Israel, relapsing into sin, is oppressed by Midian, and reproved by a prophet, 1-10. The Angel of the Lord appoints Gideon to deliver them, and confirms his commission by consuming his oblation with fire, 11-21. Gideon knows who the Angel is,

B. C. 1256.

LORD delivered them into the hand of b Midian seven years.

c

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2 And the hand of Midian prevailed

and is alarmed; but when encouraged, he builds an altar, and against Israel: and because of the Midiancalls it JEHOVAH SHALOM, 22-24. By divine commandites the children of Israel made them the he destroys Baal's altar and grove, and offers a sacrifice to JEHOVAH, 25-27. His citizens purpose to put him to d dens which are in the mountains, and death; but his father defends him, and calls him Jerubbaal,

2-32. He raises an army, and is encouraged by a twofold Caves, and strong-holds.

sign, 33-40

3 And so it was, e when Israel had

AND the children of Israel did evil sown, that the Midianites came up, and

in the sight of the LORD; and the Gen. 25:2.

2:13,14,19,20. Lev. 26:14,&c. Deut. 20:15,&c. Neh. 9:26

29. Ps. 106:34-42.

Hab. 3:7.

Num. 25:17,13.

c Lev. 26:17. Deut. 28:47,48.
Heb. was strong.

d 1 Sam. 13:6. 14:11.

Heb. 11:

38. Rev. 6:15.

e Lev. 26:16. Deut. 28:30-33, 51. Job 31:8. Is. 65:21,22. Mic. 6:15.

side, and the servants of God are poor, despised, and pre-eminence at present seem to be on their ed; and the feeblest believer shall "tread down and afflicted: but the tables will soon be turnstrength," and exercise dominion over the mighti

of the Most High can consistently be compared bles of the earth.-They who would do good, only with each other; and all combine in pro- must shake off sloth, renounce indulgence, and claiming, that nothing is too hard for his power, learn to be active and endure hardship. On some or too large for his love. Our praises in prosperity occasions they may be called to "jeopardy their will be heightened and purified, by the remembrance of preceding troubles, and by humiliation lives in the high places of the field;" at all times, for those sins which occasioned them: for nothing lic good; and by so doing, to incur the reproach to sacrifice many personal interests for the pubbut sin gives birth to misery, whether personal or public, temporal or eternal.-When men rebel will therefore excuse themselves: and while they and censure of a misjudging world. Most men against God, he withdraws his protection, and sets his face against them: then their weakest foes are averse to the cross, and disaffected to, the prevail, and his curse infuses bitterness into all conduct, from the variety of their secular encause of God, they will find apologies for their their comforts; nor can any thing but repentance gagements and avocations. stop the speedy progress of advancing judgments. porize in a matter which admits not of neutrality, But they who temBut if faithful and zealous persons are raised up, as magistrates or ministers, to attempt reforma- grieve and discourage the hearts of others, bring are numbered among his enemies; and whilst they tion; if others willingly offer themselves to con-heavy wrath upon themselves. cur in their pious designs; and if the people are Indeed power suitably influenced by these endeavors; the affairs of nations and churches then begin to wear a more favorable aspect. And when in our personal afflictions we are brought to humble ourselves before God, to repent, to pray and seek forgive-est ness, deliverance and comfort are not far off. Happy are they who are thus "chastened of the Lord, that they should not be condemned with the world:" for the prosperity of the wicked increases pride, insolence, presumption, and sensuality, till they "suddenly perish, and that without remedy." While we can go abroad, or rest at home, in security; while we can follow our employments, and attend on the ordinances of God, without any to make us afraid; let us join, to our thanksgivings for such distinguishing mercies, our sympathizing prayers for those who are groaning under the calamities of war, oppression, or persecution. But, as a craving appetite will urge men to venture even their lives for its gratification; did we thirst aright for the blessings of salvation, neither the persecutor's rage, nor the tempter's assaults, could keep us from the house of God, or the throne of grace.

V. 12-31.

of the wicked.-When the Almighty "arises and to avenge the cause of his people, the whole to judgment, to help all the meek upon earth," creation wages war against his enemies; "the stars in their courses," the elements melting with concur in their destruction: while the hosts of fervent heat, and all the angels in heaven shall God shall sing with triumphant acclamations, "So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD;" "and they who love the LORD," shall "shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." What will then covetous, and the ambitious? The objects of their become of the hopes of the sensual, the vain, the noblest wishes were degrading, and many of their desires base and brutish: yet even these wishes and desires will not be gratified, and eternal disappointment and black despair will complete their final misery. Where will then be their boasted wisdom? where their high-sounding titles and glittering distinctions? All, all are vanished, and When we rehearse the righteous, faithful, and ward to that solemn scene with joyful expectagone for ever! But the righteous may look formerciful acts of the Lord; we should also bear tion; may consider death and judgment as the true respect and affection, and give due commen-coming of their Beloved to complete their felicidation, to those who have been his willing mes-ty: and, though willing to wait his time, yet longsengers of kindness to us, and should at least recompense them with our fervent prayers for his blessing on them: and while he needs no human help, he is pleased to employ and accept the services of those, who in their several stations improve their talents to advance his cause: nay, he requires every man to do this, and will call those to a severe account who neglect or evade his service. The higher any man is advanced in CHAP. VI. V. 1. The Israelites had executed Providence, the more forward ought he to be in vengeance on the Midianites, just before the promoting the public good, and in stirring up death of Moses, and had almost extirpated them: others, by his example, influence, and authority (Notes, Num. 31:1-18.) but the remnant had into do the same; not deeming the high praises of creased and acquired power; and, probably instiGod unbecoming the bench, the senate, or the gated by resentment, they joined themselves to throne, or unseasonable in the most ordinary con- the Amalekites, the devoted enemies of Israel, in versation with strangers, and even with the no- order to retaliate. (3) As the tyranny of these VOL. I.

89

ing to behold his face, they may well say, "Why
is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the
wheels of his chariots?" Though they meet de-
lays, they shall not suffer disappointment; for yet
to his glorious and eternal rest.
a little space, and he will come, and receive thein

NOTES.

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B. C. 1249.

the Amalekites, and the children of the || of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them east, even they came up against them; out from before you, and gave you their land:

4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza; and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor

ox, nor ass.

and their

*

k

as

5 For they came up with their cattle, tents, and they came grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.

6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel • cried unto the LORD.

7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,

8 That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, P Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage:

9 And I delivered you out of the hand

f 33. 7:12. 8:10. 1 Kings 4:30. Job 1:3.

Gen. 10:19. 13:10.

h Prov. 28:3. Jer. 49:9,10. Ob. 5. * Or, goat.

i Cant. 1:5. Is. 13:20.

k 7:12. 8:10. Jer. 46:23.
18:21. 1 Sam. 30:17. Is. 60:6.
Jer. 49:29,32.

m Ps. 83:4-12.

n Ps. 106:43. Marg. Jer. 5:17. Mal. 1:4.

o See on 3:9,15.-Ps. 50:15. 78: 34. 106:44. Is. 26:16. Hos. 5: 15.

↑ Heb. a man, a prophet.

p See on 2:1-3.-Neb. 9:9-12. Ps. 136:10-16. Is. 63:9-14. Ez. 20:5,&c.

enemies, though exceedingly grievous, was much shorter than that of their former oppressors; it is probable, that the guilt of Israel had not been so atrocious.

V. 2, 3. These caverns were well known to the Israelites, when this history was written: but it was proper that the original intent and use of them should be remembered, both to humble them, and to excite their gratitude.-The Midianites and their allies seem to have come rather as freebooters, than as a disciplined army of troops under experienced commanders: yet the courage of the Israelites was so sunk, that, instead of manfully resisting them, they dastardly concealed themselves under ground from their ravages. (Murg. Ref.)

V. 4. Gaza.] The country of Midian lay beyond the most eastern borders of the land, and Gaza was near the Mediterranean sea on the west. So that the invaders went across the country, and occupied and desolated the whole of it, leaving "no sustenance." (Note, Jer. 49:9-11.)

V. 5. Marg. Ref.

V. 6-10. (Notes, 3:9,10,14.) The people having long suffered under their affliction, at length cried unto the Lord to deliver them from it; but it does not appear, that they were deeply humbled for their sins. (Notes, Is. 1:10-20.) He therefore sent a prophet to call them to repentance, before he raised up a judge to deliver them from their enemies. The message itself was very plain and convincing, and probably was delivered from city to city, throughout the land; and it seems to have had considerable effect, as it prepared the way for their deliverance.-It may

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10 And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods or the Amorites in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

[Practical Observations.}

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11 ¶ And there came an Angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the wine-press, to ‡ hide it from the Midianites.

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12 And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.

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13 And Gideon said unto him, O my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath b forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

q See on Ps. 44:2,3.

r See on Ex. 20:2,3.
s2 Kings 17:33,35,38. Jer. 10:2.
t 2:2. Prov. 5:13. Jer. 3:13,25.
9:13. 42:21. 43:4,7. Zeph. 3:2.
Rom. 10:16. Heb. 5:9.

u 14-16. 2:1-5. 5:23. 13:3,18-
20. Gen. 48:16. Is. 63:9.
v 8:2. Josh. 17:2.

w Heb. 11:32. Gedeon.
Heb. cause it to flee.

x 2:18. Ex. 3.12. Josh. 1:5,9 Ruth 2:4. Matt. 1:23. 28:20 Luke 1:28. Acts 18:9,10. Ex. 33:14-16. y Gen. 25:22.

Num. 14:14,15. Rom. 8:31.

z Deut. 29:24. 30:17,18. Ps. 89 49. Is. 59:1,2. 63:15.

a Ps. 44:1. 78:3,4.

b Deut. 31.17. 2 Chr. 15:2. Ps. 27:9. Is. 41-17. Jer. 23:33.

be useful here to compare the language of this prophet, "Thus saith the LORD, &c." with that of the Angel before mentioned, (Note, 2:1-5.) and with the subsequent part of this chapter. (li -24)

V. 11. (Marg. Ref.) The people contrived by various means to conceal a scanty portion of their harvest, just sufficient to keep them from starving. In the wine-press Gideon beat out the wheat with a staff (Heb.) unsuspected: for either the vintage was not ripe, or the people could make no use of their wine-presses.

V. 12. (Marg. Ref. s.) Perhaps Gideon, while at his work, was meditating on the miserable state of Israel, and conceiving bold designs against their invaders, which however he saw no possibility of accomplishing; to which thoughts these words of the Angel might refer.

V. 13. The Angel had said, "The LORD is with thee:" but Gideon's mind was occupied about his people, and he therefore answered, “If the LORD be with us," not conceiving that the LORD could be with him, when there was no evidence of his special presence with Israel. He judged right, when he concluded that they could not have been so distressed, if the almighty God, who had brought them out of Egypt, had not for the time forsaken them: but he did not suitably advert to those crimes which had provoked him to anger. (Notes, Deut. 32:26-31.)

Our fathers told us of, &c.] Language of this kind, frequently occurring in the subsequent historical books, shews how fully the conviction prevailed in the minds of the people, that all the wonderful works for Israel recorded in the books

k

B. C. 1249.

14 And the LORD looked upon him,|| ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of and said, a Go in this thy might, and thou an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a shalt save Israel from the hand of the basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and Midianites: have not I sent thee? and presented it. brought it out unto him under the oak,

15 And he said unto him, O my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and d the least in my father's house. 16 And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

um

e

17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with

me.

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of Moses, had assuredly taken place. And this conviction could never have been produced and perpetuated, from the days of Moses, to all succeeding generations, had it not been certainly known by Moses's contemporaries, that this was indeed the case.

V. 14. We here learn who this Angel was; even the LORD, JEHOVAH, the only begotten Son of God, who has in all ages declared the Father to mankind.-These repeated evidences continually remind the attentive reader, that the Scriptures are calculated to lead us to conceive of the|| one living and true God, as subsisting in distinct persons. The LORD looked upon Gideon, with some peculiar expression of majesty or of favor, giving energy to his words, while he said, "Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel." Marg. Ref. on 11. p. Notes, Ex. 3:12. 4:1-12. Luke 21:14.)-Thus he was commissioned to execute the bold designs which he was revolving in his mind, or to attempt the deliverance of his people, in that strength of faith which he even then possessed.--If he believed that nothing was wanting to deliver them from the Midianites, but the presence of God who redeemed Israel from Egypt, let him go in this confidence, and he shall find that same power exerted to render him successfui. "Have not I sent thee?" saith the divine Speaker.

V. 15. Manasseh was not one of the leading tribes in Israel; the thousand (marg.) to which Gideon belonged, was poor in that tribe; and he was (as he humbly thought) the meanest person in the family, and utterly unfit to undertake such service. (Notes, Ex. 4:13,14. Is. 6:5-8. Jer. 1.6-8.)

V. 16 As one man.] With great facility, and to their entire destruction. (Num. 14:15. Note, 7:16-22.)

V. 17. That thou talkest, &c.] Gideon seems to have desired some assurance, that the Person, now speaking with him, was He, who at the bush commissioned Moses to deliver Israel out of Egypt, and who had given him sensible tokens of his di

him, Take the flesh and the unleavened
20 And the Angel of God said unto
pour out the broth.
cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and
And he did so.

21 Then the Angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh, and the unleavened cakes; and there a rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Angel of the LORD departed out of his Then the sight.

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he was an Angel of the LORD, Gideon 22 And when Gideon perceived that have seen an Angel of the LORD face to said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for P because I

face.

23 And the

Heb. a kid of the goats.

k Lev. 2:4.

1 13:19.

m 1 Kings 18:33,34.

LORD said unto him,

n 13:20. Lev. 9:24. 1 Kings 18:

33. 1 Chr. 21:26. 2 Chr. 7:1. o 13:21.

p 13:22. Gen. 16:13. 32:30. Ex. 33-0. Deut. 5:5,24,26. Is. 6:5. John 1:18. 12:41.

vine power and authority. (Notes, Ex. 3:2—12. 4:1-9. 33:17--19.)

As a kid was part of the meat-offering, (19) the V. 18. My present.] "Meat-offering." (Marg.) word cannot always be used exclusively for oblations of flour, &c. as some have thought.

V. 19. This preparation would serve, either for a hospitable meal, or for a sacred oblation. The quantity was far more than was necessary for one person at one time: and it shews that, even in his poverty, Gideon was ready to "use hospitality without grudging," according to the custom of those times. (Gen. 18:3—8.)

V. 20, 21. This command seems to have been intended as a trial of Gideon's faith and obedience, by which the Lord gave him the sign which he required. (17) With the staff in his hand, he "touched the flesh, and the unleavened cakes;" and by fire, miraculously kindled, the whole was consumed, as a sacrifice, and not as a hospitable meal; for he was God, and not man. (Notes, 1 Kings 18:33-39. 2 Chr. 7:1-3.)

V. 22. The sight of a created angel, though it might have surprised Gideon, would not have thus terrified him: but it was a current opinion, that the vision of the divine glory was fatal; and, except as seen in Jesus Christ, no doubt it would be so. (Marg. Ref. p.) 'From such places as this the ancient Christians rightly gathered, that the 'Son of God appeared, upon some great occa'sions, in old time: which is not incredible, but a 'matter of easy belief; if we be pursuaded, that 'he did really appear in our flesh, which he took 'of the virgin Mary, and dwelt among us a long 'time, and then ascended in it to heaven, where he lives for ever. For why should we think it 'strange; if for a short time he appeared some'times in human shape, as a prelude to what he intended in the fulness of time? It was indeed a greater thing which he did for us at last: but he that did the greater, inay well be granted to 'have done the less, and there is no reason to 'doubt of it.' Bp. Patrick.

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