Jehovah Shalom: The LORD is Peace

Judges 6:11-24.

ETS: Jehovah Shalom completes us.

ESS: We are made whole when we are in right relationship with God.

OSS: [Consecrative] {I want the hearers to trust that God is sufficient to provide peace within their callings.}

PQ: What observations can be made in the calling of Gideon?

UW: Observations

Intro.:

TS: Let us examine a few observations together now:

notice: Some suggests this is a record of a theophany: a visual appearance of God to mankind. Such suggestion comes because of the interchangeable use of “the angel of the LORD” and “the LORD” in the passage. [1]

The address of Gideon. [v. 12]

The angel of the LORD, the LORD’s messenger or personal representative, appeared to Gideon in a personal, yet intimidating way: “Valiant Warrior”

This was a name that some consider a “sharp contrast” [2] to his normal nature. Yet, others suggests this was just something as an appropriate representative of the Lord’s calling yet to be revealed to Gideon or those around him. [3]

APPLICATION: Sometimes the manner in which God approaches or addresses us can be intimidating; yet, it is telling of what He knows about us and what He has created for us to do.

The questioning of Gideon. [vv. 13 and 15]

Gideon responded with questions. Specifically, his questions are influenced by the status of the nation at the time at hand. They were living outside of the Lord’s will, thus, things did not seem to be going well. The question, often resonating with us, Gideon poses is that of “why is this happening? Where are you, God?”

Additionally, Gideon responds with another question or excuse: I am of the weakest line of the nation- How can i do such a task?

APPLICATION: It is often the case that when the Lord calls upon humans to do something, the calling is one that brings humility highlighting one’s own inability. Such is the case with Gideon. Such should be the case with us.

The calling of Gideon. [v. 14]

The calling of Gideon was to go and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian.

This was a daunting task that Gideon obviously felt incapable of completing. Yet, it was the very thing God called Him to do.

APPLICATION: It is often the case that when God calls us to a specific task, the task will seem much more than we are capable of doing. It did for Gideon.

The assurance of God. [vv. 16-24]

Yet, there was great assurance in the Lord. In fact, one person commented, “There is might in the consciousness of the Lord’s commission (14); there is a greater might in the consciousness of divine companionship (16)” [4]

The LORD assured Gideon with His presence. Consequently, His presence provided peace for Gideon.

As discussed earlier, the word here means a sense of wholeness- completeness. This is found only in God, specifically, in doing that which God has created us for and called to do. Gideon experienced this with the assurance of the Lord. Thus, he built an altar and named it “Jehovah Shalom: The Lord is Peace”

APPLICATION: The assurance we have in God is found when we abide in the presence of God. Only then will we have the peace of God whereby we have a sense of completeness.

REFLECTION:

[1] What is your distinct, specific calling?

[2] Do you have a sense of completeness, wholeness as a result of that?

ISN’t IT SWEET TO KNOW GOD AS JEHOVAH SHALOM?!

Bibliography:

[1]Arthur E. Cundall and Leon Morris, Judges and Ruth: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 7, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1968), 103.

[2] Iain M. Duguid, “Judges,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 372.

[3] Albert Barnes, Notes on the Old Testament: Exodus to Ruth, ed. F. C. Cook and J. M. Fuller (London: John Murray, 1879), 431.

[4] Arthur E. Cundall and Leon Morris, Judges and Ruth: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 7, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1968), 104.