Theophany #43 — “A Human Angel?”Gideon’s Call, Judges 2:1 and Judges 6:11–14
- Ken Kalis
- Dec 1
- 4 min read
Like Gideon, I was afraid of making a speech in public.
I felt butterflies in my stomach and tremors in my hands.
My training people videotaped me making a practice speech.
When I viewed it, I looked as calm as Abraham Lincoln.
What was gling on the inside of me was invisible to others. Praise God!
Don't let your fears make you hide from what God wants you to do!
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“The Angel of the LORD appeared unto him… and said, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.” — Judges 6:12
This week, we meet one of the most mysterious and moving figures in the Old Testament: a Messenger who looks like a man, speaks like God, receives worship like God, and yet stands before Gideon as a human visitor.
This is not Gabriel. This is not an ordinary angel. This is the Angel of the LORD —the pre-incarnate Christ appearing in human form.
1. A Startling Prelude — Judges 2:1
Before we even arrive at Gideon, Scripture gives us a clue:
“And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim…”
But this “angel” speaks as God Himself:
“I made you to go up out of Egypt…I said, My covenant shall not fail…But ye have not obeyed My voice.”
No created angel ever said,“I brought you out of Egypt.”No cherub ever proclaimed,“My covenant.”
Only the LORD can speak that way.
This is Jesus —the Messenger of the Covenant (Malachi 3:1), appearing centuries before Bethlehem.
Israel wept, but they did not obey. And soon a new generation fell under Midianite oppression —bringing us to Gideon.
2. Gideon Hides in a Winepress (Judges 6:11)
Midian ravaged the land for seven years. Israel hid in caves. Farms were stripped bare. People were starving.
And Gideon —no hero, no warrior, no leader —is threshing wheat in a winepress, trying to keep his grain hidden from the raiders.
That is when the Angel of the LORD appears.
3. The Angel Sits Under the Oak (v.11)
Scripture says:
“The angel of the LORD sat under an oak… and appeared unto him.”
This is profoundly human behavior:
He sits
He watches
He observes Gideon at work
Every detail signals a real, embodied presence —not a vision, not a dream, but Christ in human form.
4. “The LORD Is With Thee” (v.12)
The first words spoken are not a command, but a declaration:
“The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”
From Gideon’s perspective, this is nonsense:
He is hiding
He feels weak
His tribe is small
His family is insignificant
His courage is in question
Yet Christ sees him not as he is, but as He will make him to be.
So often in Scripture, Divine calling precedes human capacity.
5. Gideon Complains (v.13)
And how does Gideon respond?
With honesty.
“If the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us?”“Where be all His miracles?”“The LORD hath forsaken us.”
Gideon gives voice to the despair of a nation.
And Christ does not rebuke him. He listens.
6. Then the LORD Speaks Directly (v.14)
Note the subtle shift:
And the LORD looked upon him, and said, "Go in this thy might… have not I sent thee?”
The “Angel” — now called the LORD —looks Gideon in the eye.
This is the turning point:
The One doing the sending is the One who appeared under the tree, the One speaking with a human voice, the One Gideon will later sacrifice to and worship.
This is Christ.
7. Lessons for Us Today
A. Christ meets us in our hiding places.
Winepresses. Lonely corners. Dry wells.He finds us where we are weakest.
B. He speaks identity before ability.
“Mighty man of valor” —spoken to a frightened farmhand.
C. Doubt does not disqualify.
Gideon’s questions became the soil for faith.
D. Divine calling transforms ordinary people.
God uses willing hearts, not natural heroes.
8. Meditation Questions
What “winepress” are you hiding in today?
Are you waiting to feel strong before obeying?
Do you recognize Christ speaking identity into your weakness?
Where is He calling you to go “in this thy might”?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, You met Gideon in fear and called him into courage. Meet us now in our fears, our doubts, our smallness. Speak Your calling, renew our strength, and send us forward in Your might. Amen.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen & help thee, & cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
FOR I WILL BE WITH THEE, THY TROUBLES TO BLESS,
AND SANCTIFY TO THEE THY DEEPEST DISTRESS.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, tho all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
From A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, by John Rippon, 1787; attributed to John Keene, Kirkham, and John Keith.
Next Week’s Theophany
Manoah’s Wife — Judges 13
The Angel who foretold Samson’s birth… and ascended in the flame of the altar.