Judges 6:24 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.
In Judges, the people of Israel had entered the Promised Land; yet, due to their rebellion against God, they found themselves perpetually under the rule of other tribes. During one of these judgment periods, God spoke to a man named Gideon. God called on him to deliver Israel from the Midianites’ rule (Judge 6:1-24). Gideon faced tremendous odds. He was leading a rebellious people against an overwhelming enemy. The enemy was described as āLike locusts for number; both they and their camels were innumerableā (Judges 6:5).
God spoke peace to him.
6:11-24 Gideon was a man of a brave, active spirit, yet in obscurity through the times: he is here stirred up to undertake something great. It was very sure that the Lord was with him, when his Angel was with him. Gideon was weak in faith, which made it hard to reconcile the assurances of the presence of God with the distress to which Israel was brought. The Angel answered his objections. He told him to appear and act as Israel’s deliverer, there needed no more. Bishop Hall says, While God calls Gideon valiant, he makes him so. God delights to advance the humble. Gideon desires to have his faith confirmed.
Now, under the influences of the Spirit, we are not to expect signs before our eyes such as Gideon here desired, but must earnestly pray to God, that if we have found grace in his sight, he would show us a sign in our heart, by the powerful working of his Spirit there, The Angel turned the meat into an offering made by fire; showing that he was not a man who needed meat, but the Son of God, who was to be served and honoured by sacrifice, and who in the fulness of time was to make himself a sacrifice. Hereby a sign was given to Gideon, that he had found grace in God’s sight.- Bible Hub
Like Gideon, we can rest assured that God can still be known as Jehovah Shalom (the Lord is peace). This holds true even in the face of incredible turmoil. We must understand the ultimate source of turmoil and the true source of peace.
Gideon’s courage failed him. But God spoke peace to him.
Reflections: God alone is the source of peace, for he is “Yahweh Shalom
- Was Gideon bold or timid? What did he do when he was uncertain?
- How do Gideonās actions encourage you when you donāt feel bad?
- What do you need to hear from God about today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your peace. In the midst of lifeās chaos, help me to fix my eyes on You, trusting in Your goodness and faithfulness. Teach me to surrender my anxieties and fears to You and fill me with the peace that transcends all understanding. Holy Spirit, guide my thoughts and actions, that I may walk in step with You and experience Your peace each day. In Jesusā name, I pray, Amen.
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