Wesley Corpus

Chapter VI The calamities of Israel by the Midianites, ver. 1 - 6. The message God sent them by a prophet, ver. 7 - 10. God's commission to Gideon, confirmed by a sign, ver. 11 - 24. He breaks down the altar of Baal, ver. 25 - 32. The preparation for war, and encouragement by another sign, ver. 33 - 40. Of Midian - For although the generality of the Midianites had been cut off by Moses about two hundred years ago, yet many of them doubtless fled into the neighbouring countries, whence afterwards they returned into their own land, and in that time might easily grow to be a very great number; especially, when God furthered their increase, that they might be a scourge for Israel when they transgressed. Let all that sin, expect to suffer: let all that turn to folly, expect to return to misery. Children of the east - That is, the Arabians, who are commonly called the children of the east. Not all the Arabians; but the eastern part of them. Unto Gaza - That is, from the east, on which side they entered, to the well, where Gaza was, near the sea: so they destroyed the whole land. Without number - That is, so many that it was not easy to number them. And not in a regular army to engage, but in a confused swarm, to plunder the country. Yet Israel, being forsaken of God, had not spirit to make head against them; God fighting against them with those very terrors, with which otherwise he would have fought for them. A prophet - We have reason to hope, God is designing mercy for us, if we find he is by his grace preparing us for it. Not obeyed my voice - He intends to bring them to repentance. And our repentance is then genuine, when he sinfulness of sin, as disobedience to God, is that in it which we chiefly lament. In Ophrah - In Manasseh: there was another Ophrah in Benjamin, Josh 18:23. The Abi - ezrite - Of the posterity of Abiezer. Threshed - Not with oxen, as the manner was, Deut 25:4, but with a staff to prevent discovery. Wine - press - In the place where the wine - press stood, not in the common floor. Is with thee - That is, will assist thee against thine enemies.