Gideon’s faith is tried again: “The people are yet too many for me,” saith the Lord.—He was then ordered to cause all of his people to drink out of the river, without using any vessel. On this trial only three hundred lapped the water, putting their hands to their mouths; the rest bowed on their knees to drink water. This was emblematic of their spirits and minds—some, apparently careless of their country, took their ease at the water-side—the three hundred, set upon the battle, (which they saw God’s hand was in), they only lapped the little out of their hands they had hastily caught up. What an emblem of the different characters that compose the visible church of Jesus—some who only have a name to live, and are dead! who are taking their ease in Zion, and resting beside the waters of creature comforts; while the humble and zealous believer is using the world as a traveller at an Inn, knowing that he is but a stranger and a pilgrim here below; and that as he is engaged in a warfare, it will not be for God’s glory to load himself with thick clay. The Lord then says, “By the three hundred men that lapped will I save Israel.”—These three hundred were ordered to provide victuals for some days; and each a trumpet, a lamp, and a pitcher. We hear nothing of arms; but, just before the victory, Gideon and Phurah his servant, went into the Midianitish camp, at night, as directed of God. Here, for the confirmation of his faith, and once more, to assure him of success, he heard a soldier in the host tell his comrade of a strange dream he had, of a barley cake rolling from the hill, and over-turning his tent. The other explained the dream, and said, “This is no other than the Sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel, for into his hand hath God delivered the Midianites.”—Doubtless the Midianites had heard before that the God of Israel had raised up one to oppose them; but they were not intimidated with that, perhaps only laughed at the weakness of the Israelites, in placing any dependence on their God—as Satan and the world, pharisees, and hypocrites, laughing at believers, walking by faith, and not by sight; it will be the believer’s turn to laugh another day, when their enemies shall gnaw their tongues in anguish, and say, We fools counted their lives madness, and their end without honor.