Judges 6:20

When *“the angel of God said to him, ‘Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.’ And he did so”* (Judges 6:20 NASB-95), it reveals a divine directive given to Gideon as he grappled with his call to rescue Israel from Midianite oppression. This command occurs in Ophrah, located in the territory of the Abiezrites, part of the region belonging to the tribe of Manasseh. Ophrah would have been in the hill country west of the Jordan River, where harvests were regularly threatened by invading enemies. By instructing Gideon to place his offering on a rock, the angel highlights the importance of obedient faith, turning a simple meal into a symbol of sacred trust.

The “angel of God” here carries firsthand authority as a messenger of the LORD, underscoring the seriousness of the request. Gideon, who lived during the period of the Judges (approximately 1200–1100 BC), is portrayed as a hesitant but faithful servant seeking confirmation of God’s presence. His obedience in *“lay[ing] them on this rock, and pour[ing] out the broth”* (v.20) is an example of how acts of trust often precede miraculous signs. As part of Israel’s cyclical pattern of rebellion and deliverance, Gideon’s story fits into a broader historical framework where the nation repeatedly called upon the LORD for rescue (Judges 2:16–19 NASB-95). Through Gideon’s experience, we see how God graciously affirms the faith of those who seek His help, foreshadowing the gracious ministry of Jesus in redeeming and guiding believers (Luke 1:68–75 NASB-95).

Pouring out the broth symbolizes not only the relinquishing of personal resources but also a humble acknowledgement that deliverance comes from the LORD. Gideon’s act is reminiscent of sacrificial offerings throughout Scripture, pointing ahead to the ultimate sacrifice in Christ, who also offered Himself in obedience to the Father (Philippians 2:8 NASB-95). Gideon, as a judge and deliverer of Israel, plays a pivotal part in God’s redemptive timeline, someone who operates between Joshua’s conquest generations (c. 1400–1375 BC) and the establishment of monarchy under Saul (c. 1050 BC). His story teaches us that seemingly small steps of obedience can become powerful testimonies of divine intervention.

This verse shows Gideon’s trust in God’s provision and highlights the LORD’s power to guide and deliver His people.