Gideon is being visited by “the angel of the LORD.” Theologians consider this code for a Theophany (God appearance) or Christophany (Christ appearance). As Christians, there both terms say the same thing. Gideon is in the very presence of God. God is calling Gideon to do something here, but Gideon is still not sure who he is talking with.
Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you." And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return." Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak. The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so. Then the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. (Judges 6:17-21 NIV)
Gideon didn’t fight with God. He didn’t ignore God. He also didn’t assume that the angel of the LORD was not God. Instead, he had a conversation. He asked for confirmation. He tested.
It is good to make sure that your call is from God. We can get off the path quickly if we don’t. We do have a very real enemy who seeks to devour us like a roaring lion, and his native language is deception. When he gets us to believe a lie, we live as though it is true.
Gideon wanted to walk with God. He didn’t want to misunderstand God or be deceived by someone who is not-God. So, he asked for a sign. God gave it to him. Then, the reality of their conversation sank in.
When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, "Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" But the LORD said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die." So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (Judges 6:22-24 NIV)
Our God is a God of peace. When we are following God’s call, we will experience peace. Jesus said that we will receive peace when we follow Him.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)
It is good to make sure your call is from God. Then, you will experience peace.
How about you? Have you ever experienced a personal call from God? Did you ask God for confirmation? Did God give you peace?
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