Connect Gideon's realization in Judges 6:22 to other biblical encounters with God. Gideon's Aha Moment: Judges 6:22 “When Gideon realized that it was the Angel of the LORD, he said, ‘Oh no, Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face!’ ” Seeing God Sparks Awe and Alarm • Immediate awareness of divine holiness • Deep conviction of personal unworthiness • Fear of death because sinful humanity stands before absolute purity Parallel Encounters • Moses at the Burning Bush – Exodus 3:6 “And He added, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” – Recognition leads to hiding; fear meets revelation. • Jacob at Peniel – Genesis 32:30 “So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, ‘Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’ ” – Shock at survival after wrestling with the Divine. • Isaiah’s Temple Vision – Isaiah 6:5 “‘Woe to me,’ I said. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips…and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.’ ” – Confession of sin in the blaze of God’s glory. • Ezekiel’s Throne Vision – Ezekiel 1:28 “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.” – Prostration before overwhelming splendor. • Manoah and His Wife – Judges 13:22 “‘We are going to die,’ he said to his wife, ‘for we have seen God!’ ” – Same fear as Gideon: seeing God equals certain death. • Peter at the Miraculous Catch – Luke 5:8–9 “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. ‘Go away from me, Lord,’ he said, ‘for I am a sinful man.’ ” – Awareness of Christ’s divinity exposes human sin. • John on Patmos – Revelation 1:17 “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.’ ” – Collapse in fear answered by calming assurance. Common Threads in Divine Encounters • God initiates revelation; humans cannot manufacture it. • Holiness exposes sin, prompting fear and confession. • The Lord responds with mercy, not destruction. • A commission or message follows the reassurance. Gracious Assurance from God • Gideon hears, “Peace to you; do not be afraid. You will not die.” (Judges 6:23) • Moses receives the promise of deliverance for Israel. • Isaiah’s guilt is taken away with a live coal. • Peter is told, “From now on you will catch men.” • John receives, “Do not be afraid,” along with visions for the churches. Living in Light of These Truths • Approach God with reverent awe, never casual familiarity. • Trust His character: holy yet merciful, just yet gracious. • Receive His peace that overcomes fear. • Step into the assignments He gives, emboldened by His presence. |
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