Light In Earthen Vessels

Our text today will come from the New International Version. In our message we’re going to view a story about an ordinary man who had an intense struggle with trusting God, and this man’s name was Gideon. We will learn how when Gideon finally trusted the Lord, that he understood what it meant to have the power of God dwelling within. As we consider Gideon’s struggle and his eventual surrender to the Lord, we will learn what happens whenever we decide put our whole-hearted trust in God. We will discover that the Lord can use us in amazing ways for His glory if we will just let go of the reigns, and let God do His thing! Therefore, this is a message about “letting go, and letting God.”

You Mighty Warrior (6:11-12)

11 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, He said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

We read here where “the angel of the Lord” appeared to Gideon (v. 11), and presented Himself “in the guise of a wayfaring man.”(1) In various places in the Scripture, we read where the angel of the Lord went out in flaming fire with His sword drawn, in order to do battle at God’s bidding (cf. Ex 3:2; Nm 22:31; Jgs 13:20; 2 Sm 24:16). He often disguised Himself as a human being, because His appearance would have possibly frightened someone to death. I find it amazing that the angel of the Lord would have chosen to speak with Gideon, for he was just a lowly farmer. This goes to show that God will speak with anyone; even you and me.

We read here that the angel of the Lord sat down under an “oak tree” next to Gideon (v. 11). In this time period and location, trees were actually venerated and worshipped by tree cults that assigned meanings to different types of trees.(2) An oak is considered to be very strong; and we sometimes call it “the mighty oak,” even to this day. This tree is specified as being the one in Ophrah belonging to Joash, further substantiating the idea that there is a deeper meaning that’s being communicated here. In Hebrew, Ophrah means, “dear, fawn, or stag.”(3) Therefore, the angel appeared precisely where He did in order to emphasize “something” or “someone” as being young, vigorous and full of strength; and that someone was Gideon, son of Joash.

The very commander of the Lord’s armies (Josh 5:13-14) looked upon Gideon and declared, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (v. 12). Gideon wondered why the angel of the Lord had said such a thing. The Broadman Bible Commentary states that “at the time of the appearance of the angel, Gideon, the son of Joash, was beating out wheat in the winepress. Such an unlikely place was occasioned by the danger of the Bedouin raids and by the fact that it was partially concealed, being hewn out of native rock, and much more difficult for the enemy to locate than the exposed eminence of the threshing floor.” In considering this information, we can conclude that Gideon was hiding there in fear; and yet the angel of the Lord called him a “mighty warrior.” In the New King James Version, he is addressed as, “You mighty man of valor” (v. 12).

Why would God send His warrior angel to tell this lowly and frightened farmer that he was a mighty warrior? It’s because God saw that Gideon had great faith in Him. He believed in the Lord; and if we too believe and are obedient to Him, then He will look at us and say the same thing that He said to Gideon. He will see each of us as a mighty warrior too! Now, keep in mind that this was the commander of the Lord’s army speaking to Gideon; therefore, He should know what He’s talking about when it comes to evaluating a soldier’s potential.

Requesting a Sign (6:13-17)

13 “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all His wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.” 14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

15 “But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” 16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” 17 Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.”