And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
Judges 6:12 (ESV)
Would you be surprised to learn that Jesus appears in this Old Testament story from the book of Judges?
Our devotion today is about one of the judges that I believe has been wrongfully maligned as a coward. If believers have contributed to this disdain, they have judged him sinfully.
You probably remember some of the names of the most notable judges, like Deborah, Gideon, Samson, and the last judge, Samuel.
Gideon is the character that we are going to look at today. The key verse at the top of the page is the passage that many people take out of context.
Often, this key verse is misunderstood to be a sarcastic punch in the ribs from the Angel of the Lord (Jesus) to Gideon. But knowing the moral character of our Savior should drive that wicked notion away.
Jesus’ appearance in the story is a reminder that God is patient and kind, as a Father. Not tyrannical or quick to destroy His own children.
Do you recall this scripture?
He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax until he leads justice to victory.
Matthew 12:20 (WEB)
That means no one who is spiritually weak or unimpressive in any way is beyond His care or help. He won’t cast them aside. And if Jesus won’t cast the Gideons of the world aside, then He won’t cast you or me aside either.
The nature of the Lord is so far above such small-mindedness. He does not belittle His children. God doesn’t even belittle wicked people. He simply tells the truth about sin and life. (Romans 6:23)
God loves us, and when we read the story of Jesus, we see encouragement from Him during His walk on Earth. You never see disdain.
Jesus may have used irony briefly to highlight Gideon’s weakness. After all, Gideon is hiding and afraid, but not for long, and Jesus knew that.
The very presence of Jesus was just what Gideon needed. And that was what Gideon got. And yes! Jesus showed up in the Old Testament!
Gideon was overwhelmed with reverence when he realized that he was in the presence of Jesus. And Gideon’s faith grew.
When Gideon realized that He was the angel of the Lord, he said, “Oh no, Lord God! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face! “But the Lord said to him, “Peace to you. Don’t be afraid, for you will not die.” So, Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace.
Judges 6:22-24 (CSB)
Gideon, the fallible man of the moment, would be the faithful and obedient servant in the end. No spiritual battle can ever be won or lost absent the will of God.
You see, Gideon could do nothing about his fear without God’s help.
Doesn’t that thought give you so much hope?
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (CSB)
Jesus! What a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in him;
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my strength, my victory wins. 1
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
- Jesus, what a Friend for Sinners
J. Wilbur Chapman
Ca 1910
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Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 