How does Gideon's reaction in Judges 6:22 reflect reverence for God's presence? Setting the Scene Judges 6 finds Israel oppressed by Midian. Gideon, threshing wheat in a winepress, is visited by “the Angel of the LORD.” Until verse 22, Gideon interacts with this visitor as though He were simply a messenger. Then the visitor ignites Gideon’s offering with fire and vanishes, and the light comes on. Verse Under the Lens “Then Gideon realized that it was the Angel of the LORD, and he said, ‘Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face!’ ” (Judges 6:22) Gideon’s Immediate Response • Recognition: Gideon suddenly knows he has encountered the living God. • Alarm: “Oh no” (often rendered “Alas”) is a cry of dread. • Expectation of death: He assumes seeing God means dying—an idea rooted in Exodus 33:20. • Submission: By calling Him “Lord GOD” (Adonai Yahweh), Gideon bows verbally to God’s sovereignty. Why This Reaction Shows Reverence 1. Awe at God’s Holiness – Gideon instantly grasps the infinite gap between himself and God. – Compare Isaiah 6:5, where Isaiah cries, “Woe to me! For I am ruined.” 2. Fear of Judgment – Exodus 33:20: “No one may see Me and live.” Gideon trusts that word as literally true. 3. Humble Self-Awareness – Reverence begins with knowing we do not belong on equal footing with God (Psalm 8:4). 4. Confession of the LORD’s Identity – By using God’s covenant name, Gideon affirms that the One present is no mere angel but God Himself (cf. Genesis 16:13, where Hagar names “the LORD who spoke to her”). Echoes in Other Scriptures • Judges 13:22—Manoah: “We will surely die, for we have seen God!” • Luke 5:8—Peter: “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” • Revelation 1:17—John: “I fell at His feet as though dead.” Each account highlights instinctive, reverent fear when sinful people meet the Holy One. What Reverence Looks Like Today • Taking God at His Word—Gideon’s dread rests on Scripture he believed. • Healthy Fear and True Worship—We approach boldly (Hebrews 4:16) yet never casually. • Quick Humility—Recognizing God’s presence prompts confession and surrender, not self-promotion. • Readiness to Obey—After the fear, Gideon listens, receives peace (Judges 6:23), and proceeds in faith. Why Gideon’s Reaction Matters for Us Reverence is not outdated. When the reality of God’s holiness grips our hearts, we respond as Gideon did—awed, humbled, and eager to obey. That posture turns ordinary moments into holy ground, making room for God to work through weak people just as He did through Gideon. |
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