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The Angel of the LORD

Text: Judges 6:11-24
16 May 2011

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

1. First mention of the Angel of the LORD Judges 2:1-6

2. Second mention of the Angel of the LORD Judges 6:11-24

3. Different Ministry

a) Different from the prophets

i) Deborah Judges 4:4

ii) Unnamed prophet Judges 6:8-10

b) Different from the Judges

i) Judges were physical deliverers

ii) They ruled Israel

A SPECIAL MANIFESTATION

1. A special visit to Gideon

a) Gideon was in hiding from the Midianites Judges 6:11

b) Gideon was destined for greater things

2. Assessment of the faith of Gideon

Gideon said to Him,
“O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles which our fathers told us about, saying:
‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’
But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” Judges 6:13

a) Discouragement

b) Despair

c) Doubtful

3. Special Ministry of the Angel of the LORD

a) Restoring confidence Judges 6:12

b) Sending Gideon to save Israel Judges 6:14

c) Promise of the LORD’s presence Judges 6:16

GIDEON’S PROBLEMS

1. He could not see beyond his personal weaknesses Judges 6:15

2. He could not see beyond the oppressive power of the Midianites

ASKING FOR A SIGN

1. Making an offering to the Lord Judges 6:17-19

a) To prove the Divine entity of the Angel of the Lord

b) To prove that Israel’s worship of the LORD was not in vain

c) To prove that the LORD was truly with him

2. Acceptance of Gideon’s offering

Then the angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. Judges 6:21

3. Recognition

a) Gideon was now convinced Judges 6:22a

b) A sense of fear of the Lord was now felt Judges 6:22b

4. Assurance from the LORD
Then the LORD said to him,
“Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” Judges 6:23

5. Building of an altar
So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it
“The LORD is Peace.” Judges 6:24