The Ancient Witnesses

168 • The Ancient Witnesses: A Journey to Discover Our Sacred Roots

“They separated the grain from the chaff by rolling a heavy stone over it,” I answered. “Correct,” replied Cyril, “Isaiah’s day illustrates the threshing—the purifying of believers.” “They are the remnant?” I asked. “Among the Exiles,” Cyril agreed, “but what winnowing took place in the day of Midian?” “I’m not sure about winnowing or the day of Midian,” I admitted. “Before you can thresh grain,” explained Father Greg, “you must separate it from the straw like this,” he said, pretending to toss hay into the air with a pitch fork. “I know about winnowing in the day of Midian,” said Preacher, “God told Gideon he had too many soldiers, so he handpicked three hundred of them and they whipped the whole Midian army!” 38 “How did you remember that?” I asked. “Gideon & Midian?” rhymed Preacher, “everybody knows that!” Bishop Cyril thanked Father Greg and Preacher. “God works through a select and purified few,” I said to Mentor, refining my definition of the remnant. “But what have we learned about The Unfolding of Time ?” asked Joseph. “Mentor told us to watch for Good News about the seed of the woman,” said Preacher. “Do the Old Testament prophets announce any good news?” asked Cesar.

38 See Josh. 7.