Judges 6

And they being sometimes led by sense and reason while they walk in darkness, they are apt to interpret God's mind toward them rather by his works and dispensations, which they see and feel, than by his word, which they are to believe. This we may see in Gideon (Judges 6), who,…

The first is, Subduing of Kingdoms; which serves chiefly for the commendation of the faith of the four Judges there named, and of David. For, as we may read in the books of Judges, and of Samuel, all these subdued Kingdoms; as, the Canaanites, Judges 4, the Midianites, Judges 6,…

He has covered me with ashes. My outward comforts are as it were in the grave, and have ashes thrown upon them; the godly are apt to mistake and think God does not care for them, because he afflicts them (Judges 6:13). If the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us?

'If God be for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31). What do you think was the reason of that great exploration Gideon made in Judges 6? He questions in verses 12-13; he desires a sign in verse 17; and after that another in verse 36.

To suspend our belief till the event is distrust; but to wait, observing what God will do, as to the event, is an unquestionable duty. 2. There is an allowed trying of God in some cases, I cannot say it is a duty, because it is only warrantable by God's special indulgence and di…

Now in regard that the general use of signs is to sustain our infirmity, God for the most part stays not till they be asked, but from the beginning has always ordained such as himself knew would be the most profitable to his Church. If the faithful then at any time have desired…

Some frantic ones there are at this day who make no reckoning of Baptism, nor of the Lord's Supper, thinking them [reconstructed: ABCs] for little children: which yet they cannot do, but they must therewith reject the whole Gospel: for those things must not be separated which Go…

Zacharias inquires how, or by what proof, he might arrive at certainty. But Gideon was not blamed for twice asking a sign, (Judges 6:17, 37, 39.) Nay more, we are shortly after this informed of Mary’s objection, How shall this be, since I know not a man? (verse 34,) which the an…

This leads to the inquiry, Does Christ address them with such harshness of language, because they wished to have a sign given them? for on other occasions God manifests that He is not so much displeased on this account. Gideon asks a sign, (Judges 6:17,) and God is not angry, bu…

Sect. 23 Secondly; We may add hereunto those especial Endowments with some Moral Vertues which he granted to sundry Persons for the accomplishment of some especial Design. So He came upon Gideon and upon Jeptha to anoint them to the Work of delivering the People from their Adver…

Christ did not chuse the eloquent Orators, or men of Authority in the Courts of Kings and Emperours, but twelve poor Mechanicks, and Fisher-men; and these not sent together in a troop, but some to take one Countrey to conquer it, and some another: the most ridiculous course (in…

If things continue at one rate with us, we think our prayers are lost, and our hopes perished from the Lord: much more when things grow worse and worse, and our darkness and trouble encreases, as usually it does just before the break of day and change of our condition, then we c…

This phrase of giving or putting into the hand, is taken either for good or for evil. Sometimes the putting of a thing into one's hand, is only for the managing and disposing of it for good, as (Genesis 39:7-8) Joseph said that his master had committed all that he had into his h…

"And he said Nay, but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come." And so he appeared to Gideon, Judges 6:11 etc., and so also to Manoah Judges 13:17-21. Here Christ appeared to Manoah in a representation both of his incarnation and death; of his incarnation, in that he ap…

I will not undertake to assign a sense to every particular expression, only in the general note: God will effect it, though there be no more hopes than to see lion and lamb, leopard and kid come together, and to persuade natures that are most fierce and contrary to a peaceable a…

In which reply it's hard to say whether there was more of wit or wisdom; and the effect was very good; the Ephraimites were pleased, their anger turned away, a civil war prevented; and no body could think the worse of Gideon for his mildness and self-denial; but on the contrary,…

David (1 Samuel 27:1), I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul; after all his experience. 7. Questioning our interest in God, by reason of crosses, or the doubtful posture of our affairs: (Judges 6:13) If the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? These are th…

God leaves them in their hands to dispose of them at their pleasure, which is a great and sharp temptation to his people. The Amalekites left no sustenance in Israel (Judges 6:4). 2. When a man is said to forsake his duty to God by such trials.

Our Lord has taught us to say [My God] in the bitterest agonies; but few learn this lesson. (Judges 6:13): If God be with us, why is all this befallen us? As if they were never exercised with trouble, who have God with them.

I know how customary it is for men to ascend the public stage, with premised apologies for the weakness and unworthiness of their labors, which is an argument that their desires (either for the sake of others' profit, or their own credit, or both) are stretched beyond the tether…