Today’s Readings: Judges 6:1‐40, Luke 22:54‐23:12, Psalm 95:1‐96:13, Proverbs 14:5‐6

Judges 6:11-12  Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Observations and thoughts:

• Gideon is beating out wheat (normally done on a threshing floor so the wind could blow off the chaff) in a winepress (usually underground to keep the wine cool – see pic below).
• Gideon is hiding.
• The angel’s first words to him are: “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Winepress in Maresha

What?  Gideon is prepping food in hiding.  If anything, I am expecting God to rebuke him for hiding or acting timidly.  Instead, the Angel speaks identity into Gideon.  He comments on his position with God and his personal character.  “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Application:  I want to speak identity into my family, friends, and co-laborers in ministry.

Who has God used to speak identity into your life?