‘ And Yahweh looked on him and said, “Go in this your might and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” '
The Angel now revealed Who He was. It was Yahweh Himself Who looked on Him. He spoke in such a way that Gideon realised that he was speaking to a divine visitor. He realised that he was receiving a divine command, that Israel had not been fully cast off. He was to be mighty in Yahweh's power and was to deliver Israel from the hand of Midian.
“Have I not sent you?” He suddenly knew that Yahweh Himself was calling him to be the instrument of Yahweh's saving action (compare Exodus 4:11). And like Moses in similar circumstances he was overawed. He was not now sure that he wanted to have the responsibility of being the instrument of Yahweh. (If we make a comparison with Deborah we must recognise that she had been a prophetess for many years, used to receiving commands from Yahweh. She did not have it thrust on her, compare also the same with Samuel).