Understanding the Midianites had crossed Jordan, Westward, and were encamped in the valley of Jezreel, at no great distance—filled with the Spirit of God, as a spirit of courage, Gideon sounded a trumpet, and assembled his friends, to the number of thirty-two thousand men. But, alas! what was this little army to meet and encounter with two hundred thousand! Perhaps his heart might fail him once more—he begs another, even a double sign. We must never forget that God has said “Open thy mouth wide; ask great things;”—the Lord graciously answers him, and by bedewing a fleece of wool, while the adjacent ground was dry—and again bedewing the ground, while the fleece of wool was dry, the Lord confirmed his doubtful mind. Thus assured of victory Gideon marched his forces directly towards the Midianites. What the army thought we know not, in their march, knowing their fewness and the vast army of the other—but every natural gift is of the Holy-Ghost, as the God of nature and providence, as well as every spiritual one; and all the wisdom and courage of warriors are the work of God the Spirit, and no man has any of these gifts inherent in himself, they are the peculiar gifts of God, to answer his holy purposes. And now Gideon’s faith is put to a double trial. If God gives his people grace, he tries that grace, especially the grace of faith. At the well of Harod God ordered him to warn his army, that every one who was timorous should return home, and there returned home twenty-two thousand! so that Gideon was left but with ten thousand. God was wisely securing the honor of this victory to himself—hence he assigns this reason, “lest Israel vaunt themselves and say, Not the Lord, but mine hand hath done this:” and so it is in our salvation—God has wisely permitted man to become as weak as he was wicked, that he might take occasion to honor the riches of his grace, in saving those who could not save themselves: and how often is this seen in his providential dealings, when brought into circumstances of sore trial, and every door shut up? then it is that the Lord’s hand is more clearly seen, and the glory redounds to him. His glory is great in our salvation—this made the ancients say, “When the bricks are doubled, then comes Moses;” that is, “Man’s greatest extremity is God’s opportunity.”