Gideon built an altar— Upon the rock where this miracle happened. This altar was not for sacrifice, which would have been directly contrary to the law; but as a memorial of the vision with which God had favoured him, and of the miracle wherewith it was accompanied. And he called it Jehovah-shalom; i.e. the Lord sent peace. Until this day, signifies that it was remaining when this Book of the Judges was written; i.e. most likely, till the time of Samuel. See Thesaur. Philolog. tom. 1: p. 418.
REFLECTIONS.—While God is leaving the people to ruminate upon the message that he had sent them, he begins to interpose for their deliverance by the hand of Gideon. To him the angel of the everlasting covenant, the Lord Jesus Christ, appeared in a human form, as he was threshing wheat by the wine-press, to hide it from the Midianites; for such was the distress to which they were reduced, that the very bread they ate must be secreted. Note; When our case appears most desperate, then is the time that God chooses to glorify his power in saving us. Let us take a view of what passed between the angel of the Lord and Gideon. 1. The angel accosts him with a very comfortable salutation, the Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. Probably, in mournful meditation over Israel's griefs, and fervent ejaculations for speedy help, Gideon was lifting up his heart to God, and now he is answered; this unexpected visitant assures him of God's presence with him. Note; However blest we may be with natural gifts, unless God be with us we possess them in vain. Without him, the valiant are weak, and the mighty soon brought low.
2. Gideon, indulging his melancholy views of the hard oppression that his people now suffered, doubts the truth of the message, and seems to call in question the former miracles which were recorded; because, for a time, as the just punishment for their sins, God had left them under the power of Midian. Note; (1.) It is sometimes difficult to reconcile afflictive experiences with great and specious promises, and not to say, "If this be true, why am I thus?" (2.) We are not to question the truth of past miracles because they continue not still to be wrought.
3. The Lord answers his doubts, by giving him orders to accomplish the people's deliverance from the hand of Midian. With a look of complacence, and with a solemnity which added weight to his word, He, who can qualify him for the service, bids him go, and assures him of success. Jehovah speaks; let Gideon hear and believe. Note; (1.) It is the Lord's work alone to fit us for that which he commands. (2.) Nothing inspires the heart with such earnestness to contend against our spiritual enemies, as the assurance that we shall at last be more than conquerors.
4. Gideon is not provided either with men or money to support a war against Midian; his family reduced, and himself inconsiderable, he hesitates at the command, and, through distrust of God, or rather modest diffidence of himself, expresses his apprehension of his inability for such an undertaking. Note; (1.) Those who are little in their own eyes, God delights to exalt. (2.) When we find our own weakness, and spread it in prayer before God, then shall we, like Gideon, out of weakness be made strong.
5. God can give us no greater confirmation than his word of promise. Therefore, he repeats it, for Gideon's satisfaction, with a solemn asseveration, Surely, I will be with thee; and then his poverty, or his want of human help, shall be no bar to his complete victory over the host of Midian. Note; If God be for us, it is of no consequence who are against us; the day is ours.
6. As the commission was extraordinary, for his own and others' satisfaction, he asks a sign, as an assurance of the truth of what was said to him; and begs him to stay whilst he sent him some refreshment, and treated him as a messenger from God. The angel consents to stay; the plain repast is quickly provided, and Gideon returns with it from his father's house. Note; (1.) They who follow the comfort of communion with God, or fellowship with his saints, will contrive to prolong the visit. (2.) Christians must use hospitality, and break their bread with cheerfulness to the hungry. (3.) They who give but a cup of cold water, with regard to God, shall in no wise lose their reward.
7. Instead of spreading the table for repast, this divine stranger enjoins him to lay the meat on a rock near them, and pour the broth upon it. Gideon without hesitation obeys; when, lo! the sign he asked, appears: the angel, who seemed like a traveller, with his staff gently touched the provision as it lay, when instantly fire bursts forth, and consumes the offering; and thereupon Jehovah disappears, leaving Gideon the strongest evidence of the truth of what he had told him.
8. Gideon, though a man of valour, and though from every circumstance he might conclude the gracious design of all that he had seen and heard, trembles at the thought of having seen the angel of the Lord; and, as Jacob before, and Manoah after, fears that he shall die.
9. The Lord silences his fears by an audible voice: though he could not see him, he could hear him say, Thou shalt not die, fear not. Note; Though every message from the world of spirits justly makes man, as a sinner, to tremble; yet, when by faith our hearts have rested on God's promises, we have from thenceforth nothing to fear, but every thing to hope for.
Lastly, Gideon sets up an altar on this rock for a memorial, and calls it very properly, Jehovah-Shalom; for the Lord had spoken peace to him when he was troubled, had brought him a message of peace for his afflicted brethren, and would give him peace from all their enemies round about. Note; They who have God at peace with them are happy indeed, bound to erect the grateful altar, and offer him the sacrifices of never-ending praise.