The Midianites (meaning strife, contention) were oppressing the Israelites as it is recorded by THE SPIRIT in Judges chapter 6:
1 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,
2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains.
Gideon was chosen by FATHER to deliver the Israelites but he definitely needed some reassurance. They had been under judgment because of their acts and their oppression appeared to have no end in sight. Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. However Gideon was minding his own business and had become accustom to dwelling in the mountains but this was about to change:
11 Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you (Jehovah shammah), you mighty man of valor!”
13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us (Jehovah shammah), why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”
14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
Gideon knew of his calling or he would not have been reminded of it with the question “Have I not sent you?” but he lived in fear of the power of the enemy. His fear had become greater than his faith in the calling FATHER had given him. This fear had effectively paralyzed him and he became content living a life in desperation. Gideon also had known FATHER as Jehovah shammah but it appeared that because of their evil actions, FATHER must have left them. HE was never far off but found it necessary for them to experience righteous judgment for their actions. The time of judgment was now over and FATHER would reveal another redemptive characteristic of HIS nature:
23 Then the LORD said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”
24 So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace (Jehovah shalom).
The word “Shalom” means completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, safety, soundness in body, health, prosperity, tranquility, contentment. The Israelites were not experiencing shalom but FATHER was going to empower Gideon to bring forth this peace to Israel by delivering them from the Midianites. The enemy had instilled fear in the Israelites and Gideon was no exception thus in order to build up his faith, the fear had to first be replaced with the revelation of the peace of Jehovah being present. Gideon experienced this peace and in response built an altar denoting this reality. He was now being prepared to deliver his people.
Faith comes by hearing FATHER’S Word and the angel spoke the faith-filled Word when he spoke to Gideon “you mighty man of valor!” and “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die”. After requesting a couple of confirmations, Gideon’s faith grew as his fear subsided. In the end, Gideon and his three hundred men were used by FATHER to defeat the enemy and peace was restored to the land. In Judges chapter 8 it is recorded:
28 Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.
Luke wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 24:
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”
37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
Jesus spoke peace over the disciples who had become fearful after His death and they needed reassurance of their callings. Jesus confirmed His presence by allowing them to handle His Body. However they still needed assurance so He ate with them:
40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”
42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
FATHER’S redemptive nature of peace is necessary to gain clarity of our calling and to fully receive the revelation of HIS Word. Fear will impair us from the reality of HIS Peace so we should dwell and meditate on the realization of HIS Presence in our lives. Fear will depart and peace will come forth. Jesus affirmed this Truth in John chapter 14:
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Let us embrace these Words Jesus spoke to us as we fully mature as Sons and Daughters. Let HIS Peace rule in our daily activities.