He first made an onslaught
on the adversary — the devil — alone, yet not unassisted.
In the same
action, he built an altar, and himself offered sacrifice, as though he were a
priest.
The altar was named Jehovah-Shalom — the Lord of Peace.
His own
people cried out against his worthy action.
A sign, a prophecy, of dew —
first on the fleece, the ground being dry — and then on the ground, the fleece
being dry: thus is foreshadowed the work of the Holy Spirit, first in Israel and
later more fully among the Gentiles.
Those who were gathered unto him, by
the sound of the trumpet, were reduced to a faithful remnant, being separated to
him by water, and the expression of their abhorrence of all false worship. Those
who lapped like dogs foreshadowed Gentiles, faithful to their leader.
The
coming victory was symbolized in a cake of bread — made from barley (Lev 23:10
— barley).
The destruction of the Midianite host prefigures the greater
destruction of the Last Day oppressor, in the same plain of Jezreel.
A
victory accompanied by the blast of trumpets, the smashing of earthenware
vessels and the manifestation of torches of fire, hitherto smoldering
unseen.
A victory without weapons for the Lord’s people who “look on me and
do likewise”.
“Every man’s sword against his fellow.” The same words come in
Ezekiel 38:21.
The wolf (Oreb) and the raven (Zeeb) no longer ravage the
flock of God.
These enemies meet their end at the very place which means an
entering into inheritance for the people of God (Jdg 8:17,18).
Many details
here prefigure the day of judgment. The names of those to be punished were
written down. See RV margin of Jdg 8:14. There was one ground of condemnation —
it was this: “They were my brethren.” And it was only the deliverer himself who
executed judgement.
Zebah means sacrifice and Zalmunna means, probably,
shadow withheld: Num 14:9.
Gideon’s words: “The Lord shall rule over you” —
it is the Kingdom!
The leader is to be priest also, but not after the order
of Aaron.
Seventy sons correspond in number with the nations of the world.
(Gen 10 lists 70 names.)