God is not content with sending a prophet to condemn our sins; he commissions an angel to bring help. Surely there is truth in the old belief that the Angel-Jehovah, designated here, was our Lord, whose delights were ever with the sons of men. Compare Iso. 63:9 and Acts 7:30 with Exod. 3:2, 6. He still comes to us, not visibly to the eye, but sensibly to .the heart. There is a peculiar burning at the heart, which those who love him understand, when he manifests himself to them as not to the world. See Luke 24: 32 and John 14: 21

Gideon was the youngest son of a poor family, which had suffered greatly at the hands of Midian. See 8:18. He was compelled to thresh his wheat in the wine-press, below the surface of the ground, lest the Midianites should descend on it and carry it off. He seemed the least hkely to be the chosen deliverer. But remember the Apostle’s words, I Cor. 1: 26. There is a might that no human valor can impart; it 1s that which is communiecated directly from Christ, as in v. 14. And when Jesus looks and speaks, the young soul that stands in all humility before him knows that it ean do all things through him who strengthens, Phil. 4:13.

13. Face to Face with the ‘Angel of Jehovah.”

Judges 6: 19-27, Gideon realized the momentous character of that interview. He only wanted to be sure that it was no dream or fancy. Hence the proposal of the flesh and broth. As the fire started forth at the Angel’s touch, he knew that the veil of the unseen world had been rent to send him direction and help. At first he was startled, and then the peace of God fell upon his soul. He heard the Voice that uttered a similar benediction in Dan. 10:19 and John 20:26. °The peace of God henceforth kept his heart and mind.

On Gideon’s side, God required an act of immediate obedience: the destruction—though they stood on his

father’s property—of the hideous emblems of cruel and unclean rites and the substitution of an altar to the Lord. Ten of his household servants, beneath the spell of his personality, aided him in this heroic deed, which exposed him to disownment by his family and the forfeiture of his life by the townsfolk. God demands that we should love him best, Luke 14:26, 27, 33. But when our heart is perfect toward him, he shows himself strong in our behalf, 2 Chron. 16:9,