At the time of the angel’s visit, Gideon and the people of Israel were in hiding from their enemies. Judges 6:1 tells us the reason: “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.” Gideon knew this, and when he realized that the angel he was talking to was the Lord, he was afraid of God’s judgement. But these verses show us a fuller picture of God’s character. Yes, God is holy. Yes, God judges sin. God is the One true God worthy of all worship, but that isn’t all God is. In these verses, God reveals Himself as One who brings peace. In Judges 6:7, we read that the people cried out to the Lord. Even though God is the allpowerful creator, sustainer, and judge, He is also a personal God who cares about the needs of His people. When His people turned to Him for help, He chose Gideon to be the one to rescue them. Through this angel of the Lord, God showed Gideon that He would be with him through the process. Gideon could have peace, knowing that God would be with him. DECEMBER 1 5 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites. JUDGES 6:22-24 “
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