Judges 6:17-18

Judges 6:17 a

‘And he said to him, “If now I have found grace in your sight, then show me a sign that it is you who talks with me. Do not leave here, I beg you, until I come to you and bring my offering and lay it before you.” '

God had given Moses a sign. Now, if He was truly with him, let Him graciously give one to Gideon. Subsequent events suggest that he had in mind that He appear in fire as He had on ‘that mountain'. God had appeared to Moses in fire (Exodus 3:2) and Sinai was always connected with fire in Israel's minds (Exodus 19:18). ‘That it is You Who talks with me' can only mean that he now realises that this is Yahweh Himself.

“Do not leave here, I beg you, until I come to you and bring my offering and lay it before you.” Gideon was terrified that the Angel might disappear before he could be sure of the situation. He begged Him to remain where He was until he could bring an offering to present before Him. Possibly he was aware that he would need to offer some kind of sign to others to persuade Israel to follow him.

“An offering.” The word can mean an ordinary gift, or tribute. But it is also used of the sacrificial meal offering.

Judges 6:18 b

‘And he said, “I will wait until you come again.” '

God, ever ready to recognise man's need for reassurance, promises that He will not leave but will be there when Gideon returns. How good God is to man's unreadiness to believe fully.