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EXPLANATIONS.

in the sight, &c.-God is omniscient. None can hide himself or his actions or thoughts from Him, for "all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do." anger, &c.-indignation; the opposition of unspeakable holiness to disobedience and pollution; and of insulted benevolence to gross ingratitude. caused, &c.-whenever God suffers one nation to tread down another it may, in general, be taken as an evidence of his anger for sin; therefore those whom he appoints as the rod of his anger may not

themselves be free from blame. eried, Sc.-though." God is angry with the wicked every day," yet he is "slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy "; and to those who humble themselves "his

anger endureth but a moment." judge, &c.-or deliverer; one who vindicates the cause of the oppressed; a saviour. The judges, of whom Ohniel was the first, also vindicated the claims

of God on the worship of Israel. slew, &c.-not perhaps by his own hand, but as the leader of the revolt he received the honour of the whole transaction. raised up Deborah, &c.-this extraordinary exhibition of bravery in a woman would serve as a reproof to the effeminacy of the men of Israel.

Sisera fled, Sc.-on foot that he might escape notice. For the same purpose he took refuge in the obscure tent of Heber, from whose peaceable family, not being

Israelites, he apprehended no danger. Kenite-the Kenites were descendants of Hobab, (Les. 21) the son of Jethro, they were a quiet people who lived in tents. give him, &c.-she not only gave him shelter but she showed him hospitality; and it is probable that she really intended kindness to Sisera, though by a divine impulse, she was afterwards led to consider him as the determined enemy of the Lord and his people, and to take

this opportunity to destroy him. smote, &c.-had Sisera been prosperous the women of the vanquished Israelites would have fallen victims to a brutal army. Sisera was therefore the enemy of the domestic purity of Israel.

CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. CHUSHAN-RISHATHAIM-the country of this warlike king was at a great distance from Canaan. His invasion therefore seems more evidently to have been the effect of God's displeasure. EGLON-we read that "the Lord strengthened Eglon, king of Moab against Israel because they had done evil." EHUD-the deliverer whom the Lord raised up from the reduced tribe of Benjamin to put Eglon to death, when the Israelites repented. SHAMGAR-a husbandman who slew 600 Philistines with an ox-goad, in the time of Ehud. JABIN, II.-the king of Canaan whose host was defeated under Sisera near Mount

Tabor.

DEBORAH-the prophetess, who, under God's direction ordered Barak to raise an army and deliver Israel from the oppression of Jabin; she foretold the fall of Sisera by the hand of a woman. BARAK-a Naphtalite, whom God raised up to deliver the Israelites from Jabin. He and Deborah judged Israel 40 years. SISERA-the captain of Jabin's host, who when his army was defeated left his chariot, and fled for refuge to the tent of Heber, the Kenite, where he met with an untimely end. JAEL-the wife of Heber, the Kenite, who killed Sisera by driving a nail through his temples.

QUESTIONS.

What consequences resulted from the people of Israel's living at peace among the Canaanites? On what occasion was Othniel appointed judge of Israel?

When Israel again transgressed who was made the instrument of their punishHow was his oppression removed? [ment? What deliverance did Shamgar effect? By what means was the oppressive yoke of Jabin broken? How was Deborah's prophecy as to the end of Sisera fulfilled? What was the substance of the song which Deborah and Barak sang?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

We learn from this lesson that temptations to wickedness are spread around us and if we fall into them we must, like the Israelites, incur punishment. We see that affliction is useful in causing backsliders to return to God. David said, "It is good fo me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Though God brought his erring people under the power of their enemics as a punishment, yet the cruel oppressions of these rods of his anger were assuredly visited. Every national deliverance from oppression demands a song of praise to Him who "doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth."

36. The Midianites' Oppression. History of Ruth.
Judges vi. 1-10. Ruth.

The children of Israel again did evil in the sight35 of the Lord, and he delivered them into the hand of the people of Midian seven years. 'So severe was the oppression of the Midianites14 that the people of Israel were driven to take refuge in the 'dens of the mountains, and in caves, and strongholds. And the Midianites and the Amalekites came and destroyed the increase of the earth, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with their cattle, and their tents, and they came as 'grasshoppers for multitude; and they entered into the land to destroy it, and the Israelites were greatly impoverished. They cried unto the Lord for deliverance, and he sent a prophet to reprove them, by showing all the good the Lord had done for Israel, but that they had not obeyed his voice.

Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, were Israelites, who in a time of *famine, went from Canaan to reside in Moab.28 They had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Elimelech died. Naomi's sons married wives of the Moabites, and died also. Some time after, Naomi, and her two daughtersin-law, Orpah and Ruth, departed to go into "Judah. Naomi wished her daughters-in-law to return to Moab. Orpah returned, but Ruth would not leave her mother-in-law; and Naomi said unto her, "Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods; return thou after thy sister-in-law." And Ruth said, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go ; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; 'thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried; the LORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me." Naomi and Ruth came to "Bethlehem, in the beginning of barleyharvest, and Ruth 'gleaned in the fields of Boaz, a rich man, and a relative of the family. He afterwards married Ruth, and she became the mother of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, and the grandfather of David, from whom Christ 'descended.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Judah-the province of Canaan which was allotted to the descendants of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob; it was the most populous part of Canaan, and the tribe of Judah was the most powerful of all the tribes.

Bethlehem-a small town of Judah at which Rachel the wife of Jacob died; it was at that time called Ephrath. Les. 14. It afterwards became more sacred and celebrated as the birth-place of our Saviour, and it was announced as such by the prophet Micah 700 years before the event.

EXPLANATIONS.

So severe, &c.-on other occasions the conquerors deprived the people of their wealth, but did not discourage the cultivation of the soil; but the Midianite marauders, together with theAmalekites robbed them of the entire produce of their fields and swept the pastures of their flocks and herds. dens, &c.-to escape observation. There they sought not only protection for their persons, but temporary stores for whatever food and other articles they were able to conceal.

grasshoppers-or locusts. These destructive insects frequently darken the air by their numbers, and destroy vegetation, especially in its early stages. This dreadful punishment was threatened by Moses, "The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be

only oppressed and crushed alway." famine-this also was one of the judgments which God had threatened to bring upon Israel for their sins. Lev. xxvi. 19, 20. They were oppressed by their enemies, but as they were not re

In

formed God sent this judgment also. would not leave, &c.--Ruth renounced the gods of Moab; she left her relations to serve the God of Israel, and attached herself to a poor widow whom she must help to maintain by her industry. the remainder of Ruth's history we see exemplified the blessedness of obeying our Saviour's injunction, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God,&his righteousness." thy people-her resolve to continue in the true religion, in which doubtless she had been instructed by Mahlon her deceased husband, and by her mother-inlaw, could not be fulfilled had she dissevered herself from the company of

those who worshipped God aright. gleaned the law of Moses inculcated consideration for the poor; it prohibited the husbandman from gleaning his own field, or returning to remove a sheaf that had been forgotten; it enjoined, moreover, that the corners of the field should not be reaped, but left for the poor and the stranger. Lev. xix. 9, 10.

descended-it had been foretold by Jacob

(Les. 16) that the Messiah should spring from the tribe of Judah, and it was afterwards revealed that he should be of the family of David who was the great-grandson of Ruth.

CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. ELIMELECH-a native of Bethlehem, who withdrew in a time of scarcity, with his wife, Naomi, and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion into the land of Moab, where he died. NAOMI-the wife of Elimelech who after the death of her husband and her two sons in the land of Moab, returned to Judah, whither she was accompanied by Ruth, the widow of Mahlon. ORPAH-the widow of Chilion, who remained in Moab when Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem. RUTH-the daughter-in-law of Naomi who would not be separated from her

when she returned into her own land.

BOAZ-the kinsman of Elimelech in whose fields Ruth gleaned, and who afterwards married her. QUESTIONS. How long did the people of Midian oppress the Israelites ? Was their oppression severe? What other people augmented the distress of Israel? Describe the appalling affliction which these combined oppressions brought on

Israel.

What answer did their prayer for deliverance obtain? What circumstance caused Elimelech and his family to leave their country? Narrate the events which occurred to them in Moab.

Who died also? Did Naomi settle in Moab after the death of her sons?

How did Ruth prove her affection for Naomi ?

What reason have you for thinking that Ruth renounced idolatry?

How did Ruth and Boaz become acWhat was the result? [quainted?

In whom did the Jews and Gentiles become united?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

If our fidelity to God in our practice of religion is like that of Israel-if our goodness be "as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away,' "" we shall not escape the divine chastisement. Canaan, "aland flowing with milk and honey," is unable to sustain its inhabitants, and presents us with an illustration of the words of the Psalmist. The Lord turneth" a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein." The history of Ruth shows us the merciful providence of God towards the afflicted, the widow, and the fatherless; the reward of constancy and obedience, and the blessing of heaven upon those who fear God and trust in Him."

37. Gideon Delivers Israel.

Judges vi. 11-viii. 28.

At this time, when the Israelites were mourning for their sins against God, an angel appeared unto Gideon, at **Ophrah, as he thrashed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.14 Gideon was the son

of Joash, a descendant of Abiezer, of the tribe of Manasseh. The 'angel said to Gideon, "The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites." And Gideon said unto him, "Oh my Lord, 'wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." And the Lord said unto him, "Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.' Gideon was commanded to throw down an altar which his father had dedicated to Baal,33 and to build an altar to the Lord; the Lord gave him two signs to show that he would save Israel by his hand. Thirty-two-thousand men joined Gideon beside the "Well of Harod. When 'those who were fearful had returned home there were 10,000 left. Of the 10,000 'only 300 were chosen by the Lord's command to deliver Israel. Every man had a trumpet, and also a pitcher with a lamp in it. The camp of the Midianites was attacked by night. The three-hundred men blew their trumpets and brake their pitchers to show their lamps, and every man shouted, "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon." The Midianites were 'terrified and 'confused, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow; and the host fled. And the men of Naphtali,25 Asher, and Manasseh gathered themselves together, and pursued the Midianites. The Ephraimites took two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and slew them, and brought their heads to Gideon.

And the men of Ephraim came to Gideon and said, "Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites?" And they did chide with him sharply. And he said unto them, "What have I done now in comparison of you? 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?" Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said this. Gideon and his men then pursued the kings of Midian. The people of Succoth13 refused him and his men bread. The people of Penuel13 also refused him refreshment. He threatened to punish them, and fulfilled his threat on his return, when he had taken the kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. He slew these two kings because they had slain his brethren. The people of Israel wished Gideon to be their ruler, but he refused, saying, "The LORD shall rule over you." He afterwards made an ephod3 of the golden ear-rings and other ornaments that had been taken with the spoil, and thus unwittingly caused idolatry.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Ophrah-a city in eastern Manasseh, also called Ephrah, chiefly mentioned in the history of Gideon; it is said to have been his birth-place. Well of Harod-situated at the foot of Mount Gilboa. Les. 52.

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EXPLANATIONS.

appeared, &c.-he sat under an oak. winepress-a place in the earth where the grapes were pressed; it was chosen as a

place of concealment for the wheat. angel said, &c.-the address of the angel was calculated to suggest valorous thoughts in the mind of one who felt oppressed, but who had probably bowed meekly to the yoke of foreign tyranny. wherewith, &c-How can I deliver Israel? I am unfit for the service, and unworthy of the honour. build, &c.-it was requisite that Gideon should make peace with God before he made war with Midian; no important undertaking should be commenced without first seeking the divine blessing, and acknowledging our dependance on Him

who alone can give success. gave.. two signs-Gideon's heart failed at the greatness of the undertaking; but the angel removed his doubts by granting two contrary miracles required by Gideon himself for the confirmation of his faith.

32,000 men joined, &c.-the first intimation of resistance to the Midianites was hailed with delight; hence the number

who flocked to Gideon's standard. those who were fearful, &c.—all who owned themselves faint-hearted were allowed to return home. There was a law for

such a proclamation. Deut. xx. 8. only 300, &c.-" there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few." The test was a curious one; the 10,000 men were brought to the water to drink, most of them knelt down to the surface of the water, to get a full draught, but 300 of them hastily took up water in the hollow of their hands to drink. The latter were chosen. terrified the sound of so many trumpets, and of the breaking of the pitchers, together with the shouting, led the Midianites to suppose that an immense army had assailed them. confused-from the glare of the lamps falling upon their just opened eyes. against, &c.-each imagining that his

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fellow was his enemy; the surprise and terror produced the confusion which put the army to flight. two kings-as they were not of the devoted nations of Canaan, Gideon might have spared them, but as the avenger of his brethren, he could not consistently with the usages of the times pardon their sin of murder. The destruction of these two kings, and of the two princes previously mentioned is pleaded as a precedent for the destruction of the enemies of the church, "Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb; yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna.' Ps. lxxxiii. 11.

CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. JOASH-a man of the family of Abiezer, who was a great grandson of Manasseh; his family had fallen into the idolatry of Baal, but his son Gideon was chosen to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites.

OREB and ZEEB-two princes who were the chief commanders of the Midianites;

they were slain by the Ephraimites. ZEBAH and ZALMUNNA-the two kings of the Midianites who were pursued by Gideon and his 300 men.

QUESTIONS.

How was Gideon employed when an angel appeared to him?

What was Gideon's first act of obedience

to the angel's command? What evidence of the truth of his commission did the angel afford? How were the 300 valiant men selected

out of the 32,000? Explain the mode of attack adopted by Gideon, and its effects.

Who rose up to the pursuit?
What success attended the efforts of the
Ephraimites?
How did Gideon answer their chiding?
Whom did Gideon overtake and slay?
How did Israel show their gratitude to
Gideon?

Did he accede to their request?
By what act did he unintentionally en-
courage idolatry?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

'Weeping may endure for a night," but if that sorrow be of the right kind, "joy cometh in the morning." God again delivered Israel from distress by the hand of Gideon. We see the condescension of God in affording Gideon every reasonable assurance of the truth of his mission. We see also that a personal or family reform was needed, and was effected before Gideon attempted the public duty committed to him; a good example in those who have to direct public undertakings is of the greatest importance. We are warned against inhospitality by the conduct of the people of Succoth and those of Penuel; against receiving flattering titles for any services we may be able to render our fellow men, by Gideon's refusing to be their ruler; and against all corruptions in religion that might degenerate into idolatry.

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