FHBC Sermon Notes

V. 17-24
Gideon in his brashness seeks a theological debate with the angel of the Lord, yet the angel moves right past that and issues a command, "you shall strike the Midianites as one man."  Still Gideon is seeking signs. He makes offerings of a goat and wheat, which the angel touches with his staff and consumes with fire. Gideon does appear to be trying to show hospitality in his way.

For Gideon what is the sign supposed to do? It was to show that God was pleased with him, that God was truly with him.  But this isn't Gideon's response. Instead it causes him to recognize that this is God he is addressing and he falls back in fear. He thinks he will die. But the Lord assures him. "Peace be to you.  Do not fear; you shall not die."  This is a picture of the gospel.  In light of the glory of God we are condemned and brought low by our own sinfulness.

Consider the opposite of this. "War is upon you. Fear, you shall die!" This is what the presence of God does. It shows our sinfulness, and as such are rebellion and war against him. But God plans for more than condemnation. He has a plan for him. See how often that, "Do not fear" in the Bible is followed by a command.  Interesting that this peace to is followed by a command to go make war. So what is this peace. It is peace that is a state of contentment, and a peace that comes only by being in the presence and fellowship of God. It is not simply the absence of war.

We tend to think of peace in the abstract. It is not just a emotional state. It is a person. It is God. Jesus, the Prince of Peace. In verse 24 here, "The LORD is Peace."