Course 1, Chapter 32: The Messiah promised and prefigured — Fourteenth figure of the Messiah. — Gideon. (A. C. 1405.)

1. By whom were the Hebrews governed after the death of Josue?

After the death of Josue the Hebrews were governed by judges. The judges were chosen by God;

94 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

they led the people to battle and administered justice; there was only one at a time.

2. Did the Hebrews long remain faithful to the Lord?

The Hebrews soon forgot the promises they had made and so often renewed They went s-o far as to forget even God himself, and gave themselves ui> to idolatry; it was a woman, and her son,, named Miehas, who first set the example.

3. How did God punish them?

God punished this crime, and all that followed from it, by sending against the Israelites the infidel nations, and amoagst others, the Madianites, who laid waste the country.

4. By whom were the Hebrews delivered from the Madianites?

The Hebrews were delivered from the Madian ites by Gideon.

5. What miracle did God grant Gideon?

Gideon, having assembled his army, asked of God two miracles, to accredit his mission; the first was, that a fleece of wool, spread on the ground, during the night, should be covered with dew, whilst the ground around it should remain dry; the second was, that the fleece should remain dry, whilst the surround ing ground should be wet with dew. The two miracles took place.

6. What did the Lord then say to Gideon?

The Lord then said to Gideon, " the army is too numerous," although there were only thirty-two thous and, whilst the enemy had one hundred and thirtyfive thousand men. I wish, said the Lord, that Israel may know that it is I alone who have delivered them. He ordered him to keep with him only three hundred men.

7. How did Gideon obtain the victory?

When night had come, Gideon and his three hundred men, armed only with trumpets, and lamps in

empty pitchers, advanced to the lines of the enemies. Immediately they all beo;an to sound their trumpets, broke the pitchers and lifted up their lights; their enemies, seized with fright, fled, overturning and killing one another Avithout knowing it.

8. Was Gideon a figure of the Messiah?

*Gideon was the fourteenth fiium of the Messiah. Gideon was the last amongst his brothers; our Lord deigned to appear as the last among men. Gideon, notwithstanding his weakness, is chosen to deliver his people from the tyranny of the Madianites; our Lord, notwithstanding his apparent weakness, is chosen to deliver the people from the tyranny of the devil. Two great miracles prove that Gideon is chosen; the greatest miracles prove that our Lord is chosen the Liberator of men. Gideon, with only three him Ired men, marched against a whole host of enemies; our Lord m arches o the conquest of the universe with twelve fishermen. The soldiers of Gideon are without arms; the apostles of our Lord are without arms. The soldiers of Gideon take with them only trumpets and lamps; the apostles of our Lord have only the preaching of the Gospel and the lamp of charity. Gideon and his soldiers triumph over the Madianites; our Lord and his apostles triumph over the world.