Covenant Angel, April 3

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”—Judges 6:12JNN 103.1

Gideon desired some token that the one now addressing him was the Covenant Angel, who in time past had wrought for Israel. Hastening to his tent, he prepared from his scanty store a kid and unleavened cakes which he brought forth and set before Him. But the Angel bade him, “Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth.” Gideon did so, and then the sign he desired was given: with the staff in His hand, the Angel touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and a flame bursting from the rock consumed the sacrifice. Then the Angel vanished....JNN 103.2

Gideon’s father, Joash, who shared in the apostasy of his countrymen, had erected at Ophrah a large altar to Baal. Gideon was commanded to destroy this altar and to erect an altar to Jehovah over the rock on which the offering had been consumed, and there present a sacrifice to the Lord. The offering of sacrifice had been committed to the priests and restricted to the altar at Shiloh; but He who had established the ritual service had power to change its requirements. Gideon must declare war on idolatry before going out to battle with the enemies of his people.JNN 103.3

Gideon performed the work in secret, with the aid of his servants accomplishing the whole in one night. Great was the rage of the men of Ophrah when they came next morning to pay their devotions to Baal. Joash, who had been told of the Angel’s visit, stood in defense of his son. “Will ye plead for Baal? Will ye save him? He that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning.” If Baal could not defend his own altar, how could he be trusted to protect his worshipers?JNN 103.4

All thoughts of violence toward Gideon were dismissed. When he sounded the trumpet of war, the men of Ophrah were among the first to gather to his standard. Heralds were dispatched to his own tribe of Manasseh, and also to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and all answered the call.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 547, 548.JNN 103.5

Further Reflection: How do I respond to my family members who are living in opposition to the will of God?JNN 103.6