Judges 8:20

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth." Judges 8:20 .

Too much must not be expected from youth. It was a hard thing that Jether was here asked to do. We may discourage youth by expecting too much from it at once. It is well for that youth who understands the limits of his strength, and keeps well within them. There is an audacity which it is hard to distinguish from impiety. By imposing too heavy responsibilities upon youth, we may either inflame its vanity or discourage its modesty. Every man is to consider what he can do, with propriety, and not to force himself to the front, unless others have proved unworthy of the occasion. Under other circumstances youth is called upon to do the very hardest work. When that is the case, the revelation of duty will be made clear. It was David who was called upon to slay Goliath. David said, "Is there not a cause?" He was the subject of an inspiration unknown to others; he was obeying a voice which others could not hear. It is easy to rebuke youth for not doing certain things from which young modesty shrinks; it is better to recognise the modesty than to magnify the fear. Young people do not become accustomed to the sword all at once. For a time they must be kept at home, watching the "few sheep in the wilderness," or planting a few flowers in the domestic garden; by-and-by they may grow up to be soldiers and valiant men. In the meantime, let us not condemn the Jethers of the age when they hesitate to shed blood.