“Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, ‘Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.'” Judges 6:22
What was it about Gideon that moved the Lord to choose him to deliver the people of Israel from their enemies, the Midianites and the Amalekites? We find the answer in part by examining God’s dealings with Gideon, and Gideon’s response to Christ’s words and works.
Gideon is not distinguished among the people of Israel, except by his name, as he was the son of Joash the Abiezrite, and his honest, humble response to the Lord’s command to go and save Israel. In that response, Gideon declares honestly that he does not see how he could ever be such a man, by declaring: “How can I save Israel? Indeed, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (6:15) God knew this was the case, and status of Gideon before he even mentioned it. And yet He would declare of Gideon: “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor.” (6:12) God found in Gideon a man who was honest, and transparent before Him, one who believed in God, but one who also was willing to see the frailty, and faults of men. Gideon believed in the miracles of God in the past but now faced honestly the situation before him. How would God deal with Gideon to bring him to faith in the living God, and this in a manner whereby God would reveal His power and might in and through him?
The first thing that we see God doing with Gideon is revealing Himself to him, and this, by appearing to him. There is no doubt that the appearing of this “Angel of the Lord” was a remarkable event, although the Angel of the Lord presented Himself to Gideon in a very humble manner. That which began to grip Gideon was the authority of the words of the Angel of the Lord, declaring first that the Lord was with him, and that because of this, he was indeed a man of valor.
Secondly, the Angel of the Lord would turn to Gideon and speak directly to him, again by the authority of His words: “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” (v.14) The Angel of the Lord had already declared to Gideon that God was with him. Now, the Angel goes further by declaring: “Have not I sent you?” (v.14) It is at this point that the importance of the Angel’s words begins to resonate profoundly in the heart of Gideon, for now, the Angel of the Lord is basically saying that He is God. And yet, even by these words, honest Gideon would need further proof that this was indeed God. Again, the Lord would speak to him, saying, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” (v.16) From Gideon being a valiant warrior in the eyes of God, to him being sent by God to deliver the people, Gideon is called upon to believe the Angel of the Lord. But it will not be until Gideon offers a sacrifice of worship to God, meat and unleavened bread placed upon a rock, that the Angel of the Lord would touch the meat and bread with His staff, and fire would come out of the rock and consume the sacrifice. The fire of God was the proof of God’s acceptance of Gideon’s offering, but also that it was God who had brought all of this to pass, in order to choose His vessel, equip him, and confirm to his heart that God’s hand was upon him, and would truly be meet him.
The evident confirmation of Gideon’s calling, and the resources for that calling, was the manifest peace of God. Gideon would call the place of the altar: “The -Lord-Is-Peace.” God’s gift of peace was the assurance given to Gideon
Dear Father, Grant us Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.