“Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.” Judges 6:11
We are not told Israel’s response to God’s statement of fact – “You have not obeyed me.” In fact we do not know the details of how Israel cried out to God. Likely it was not the entire nation who cried out to God but those Godly believers who took God at His word and prayed
that the country be restored to Him. God hears and answers that
cry of their heart to raise up a deliverer for the nation. Through
this man, this judge, God will produce both repentance and
restoration among His people.
Now the Angel of the Lord We are introduced to a special person in
The Old Testament – the Angel of the Lord. This person is mentioned
multiple times throughout the Old Testament including Hagar, twice to
Abraham, Jacob, Moses, in the pillar of the cloud that led Israel, Joshua, several times in Judges including here to Gideon and to Samson’s parents, David and the prophet Zechariah. Scripture does not definitively state who this is but reading the characteristics of the Angel of the Lord gives insight to His identity. First, in some contexts the Angel of the Lord is identified with God. We read the Angel of the Lord has the power to give life. He is described as knowing all things, and He is called the judge of all the earth, a title that is given to God alone. Additionally this person receives the worship given to Him by man, something no angel ever would accept. Thus we see this person is God who reveals Himself at certain times to certain men. Because scripture tells us that no man
has seen God at any time we believe this person is the son of God in human form in the Old Testament. The Angel of the Lord never appears in the New Testament after Christ comes to earth in human form.
Here we see God’s promise that He will never leave us or forsake us being carried out. Israel was in a desperate situation militarily, politically and spiritually. They cried to God and He intervened. He was at work to bring His people back to Him even in the discipline He allowed, He was at work to send a prophet to confront the people with the word of God about their sin. Here we find God is at work on Israel’s behalf as He comes to call Gideon to deliver His people. It is interesting that even as God was working in Israel’s behalf few people saw it. This gives us confidence that no matter how desperate the situation and no matter how silent we feel God is, He always is working on our behalf.
Sat under the terebinth tree Note it is the angel of the Lord who sits (settled, dwelled) under this tree. The terebinth tree is mentioned over
25 times in Scripture. It is often associated with divine encounters (as it is here). The tree is known to live long years and grow to great heights. It symbolizes strength, stability, and protection, representing the presence of God and His power and authority. It was also thought to possess healing properties, with its resin, known as balm of Gilead, used both for medicinal purposes and offering relief and restoration. The first time we read of the Terebinth tree is Genesis 12 where God told Abraham he would make Him into a great nation. So in Judges 6 we see the Son of God settle under a tree and watch the servant work who He is about to call to serve Him.
Which was in Ophrah which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite The Abiezrites were said to be one of the ten clans identified as belonging to the tribe of Manasseh. According to Gideon the Abiezrites were the “the weakest of the tribe of Manasseh“. He was of the lowest and humblest of families.
What can we learn? God’s way constantly amaze us. He tells us His ways are not our ways. Here we see the Son of God go to
the weakest clam in the tribe of Manasseh to call perhaps its most fearful member to do a great work for Him. God still does this
today. He does not look for the bravest or most talented, He looks for a heart which is willing to obey Him.
When God finds it, He calls. When He does the obedient listen – that means me and you!