[Pastor Ralph]

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"? In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?

[charisbarak]

Gideon named the altar "the Lord is Peace" because His angel brought peace to Gideon at a very scary time for him--war. He was encouraged by the angel of God that he would not die in this battle, that he was in God's will by doing battle and it brought him a great peace & joy.

As explained by Pastor Ralph, this peace "shalom" could be rendered the peace between conflicts. But I say it is more than that--it is a peace while in conflict. I think of the incredible peace I had even when it was suspected my 11 year old son might have cancer. It's like the storm raging on top of the ocean & being below, calmly swaying with the seaweed. (it turned out he did not have cancer--PTL--tissue could not be identified by the lab. of course not--it was a healing!!)

[Helenmm]

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"? In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?

Gideon had been totally terrified when he realised that he had been talking to the angel of the Lord. But no harm had come to him, and indeed Yahweh then took over the conversation with the word "PEACE". Now, when God speaks a word, it is not only something that you hear with your ears. From the beginning, what God speaks immediately becomes reality. It becomes part of the structure of things (cf God spoke and they were created) So when God spoke that word to Gideon, his soul, his bones and his whole being were flooded with immutable peace. Gone was the terror and fear of the Lord, and in its place there was every wonder ful thing that that word "Shalom" represents, - wholeness, health and physical stsrength, well-being, joy of the spirit, prosperity, ability to prosper, safety, confidence, ability to form wonderful relationships all round, ability to lead and instil confidence.

I think Gideon named the altar "Shalom" or "peace" because it solidified for him the moment when God announced shalom to him (and to all Israel through him), and he felt this shalom in the very core of his being. That rock altar would always remind him of this precious and wonderful moment when God again brought certainty into his life and the life of Israel. At this altar he would always be back there with Yahweh, remembering how his offering was received (consumed) and his life changed. Though his feeling still questioned and wavered, that rock (altar in the physical, but also the rock of faith which is the certainty of things not seen - Heb 11:1, a substance of God, unchangeable) brought him back to reality. Yahweh is. In Him we live and move and have our being!(Acts 17:28)

When Yahweh brought Shalom to Gideon as described above, He was investing Gideon with the fullness of His presence, the weightiness of his might, the consciousness of His majesty and authority invested in him, Gideon. It was like the experience of Paul the apostle on the Damascus road. He was never the same again. The most timid and insecure man in the tribe of Manasseh was transcribed into the great leader that all Israel needed. It took a while for him to get hold of this fact! But nevertheless, the deed was done.

[JustJeff]

I can imagine that Gideon was somewhat beside himself with fear at the appearance of the angel of God Here was poor old Gideon, already quite shaken by the oncoming Midianites and now, he encounters the heavenly presence of Yahweh's messenger. This, the same Yahweh that told his forefathers that they would be struck dead, if only to look upon Him. This the same Yahweh that punished Gideon's people time and time again for their disobedience to His laws. Oh what a relief it must have been when he was told; "Shalom! Do not be affraid. You are not going to die." He had just experienced Yahweh in a way he had never before heard or felt. A God of peace. The altar, Gideon's memorial was appropriately named; "the Lord is Peace".
The peace that the Lord gave to Gideon was a peace of harmony with Him. A peace that was tranquil, that comes when all fear is gone. A peace that passes all understanding, which comes from the Lord. A peace that only a Savior's love can give.

[Lisa Rupert]

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"? In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?

Gideon was at war and he was hidding in fear from the Midianites or the Mighty Warrior when a visitor arrives on the scene. An Angel of God and of course Gideon being the perfect host, prepares a a meal for his guest. Then the angel speaks to Gideon and lets him know that Peace is here. Do not be afraid. The calming of Peace has arrived and you don't need to worry. The Angel also assured him that he was not going to die. What a relief Gideon must have felt having the angel declare all these things to him. I am sure it took a load off his shoulders. At this time Gideon was assured that the Lord was on his side, that he didn't have to hide in fear. He knew that God was a Friend and not a Foe or enemy. That is why he gave the name "The Lord is Peace".

[pickledilly]

When Gideon realized he had just encountered the LORD face to face, he was terrified because he knew that to see the face of God was to surely die. Most anyone who first sees Him with the true understanding of their spiritual depravity and His divine holiness feels much the same way. But we repeatedly see in the Scriptures such a precious characteristic of Christ: He immediately speaks - right into the heart - the assuring word of peace to comfort and encourage. Gideon was probably overwhelmed as, in this one little word "peace", Yahweh was revealing the favor of a whole, complete, restored relationship.

What strengthening and empowerment Gideon must have gained from knowing that God was at peace with him! The Angel of the Lord had just told him "Yahweh is with you" and called Gideon a "mighty man of valor" who would lead Israel in victorious warfare (Judges 6:12-16). Gideon knew God's favor was not currently on Israel because of her disobedience, and he felt anything but courageous. He asked for a sign that this was really of Yahweh, which was graciously provided and confirmed with the words, "Peace be to you." Yahweh was saying, " Restoration to me I give to you. Unity with me I give to you. Completeness in me I give to you." Gideon's response to this encounter was worship. He built an altar of remembrance of this momentous revelation of Yahweh as Shalom. The LORD is the Friend who desires and provides peace with His people - on a personal level. Even though Gideon later experienced fear, he overcame it and acted in obedience with courage born of Peace.

[sahala p.s.]

Pastor Ralph, on Mar 9 2006, 02:11 AM, said:

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"? In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?

Gideon named the altar “the Lord Is Peace” because the Lord did not kill him but offered peace to him instead when He was being afraid of that he was going to die after seeing the angel of the Lord face to face.

The Lord offered peace to Gideon in this following sense. God offered that He would be a friend not a foe, giving blessing not curse to Israel We know that the condition of Israel in Gideon time was without peace. Because of disobeying the Lord, He let the nation of Midian control Israel. He let the Midianities every time the Israelities would plant crops invade Israel, their livestock eating crops. He let the Midianities steal food, sheep, cattle, and donkey, ruin the land wherever they went. Israel was suffer and distress in that time. Israel considered that they were Lord’s foes. So Lord’s offer was that He was not Lord’s foes anymore but He would rescue Israel from the nation of Midian through Gideon and there would be peace in Israel.

[June]

He had been face to face with the angel of the Lord and knew that Jehovah Shalom was with him. He wanted the people to know that the Lord was a friend and not an enemy.
The Lord assured Gideon that he would not die after the Angel of the Lord burned up the meal. Told him not to be afraid, and that He would not slay him.
The Lord was present during Gideon's quest with the Midianites and showed him favor..

[linda bass]

Why did Gideon name the altar "the Lord is Peace?"
When Gideon found out it was the Angel of the Lord that had appeared before him, he became terrified.
The Lord told Gideon not to be afraid, that he wasn't going to die.

In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?
God promised Gideon that He would be with him when he went up against the Midianites.

[satyaevangeline]

Gideon named the altar "the Lord is Peace" because His angel brought peace to Gideon at a time of war. He was encouraged by the angel of God that he would not die in this battle, that he was in God's will by doing battle and it brought him a great peace & joy.
Gideon had been totally terrified when he realised that he had been talking to the angel of the Lord. But no harm had come to him, and God then took over the conversation with the word "PEACE". So when God spoke that word to Gideon, his soul, his bones and his whole being were flooded with immutable peace. Gone was the terror and fear of the Lord, and in its place there was every wonderful thing that that word "Shalom" represents, - wholeness, health and physical strength, well-being, joy of the spirit, prosperity, ability to prosper, safety, confidence, ability to form wonderful relationships all round, ability to lead and instil confidence.
So he named the altar "Shalom" or "peace" because it solidified for him the moment when God announced shalom to him (and to all Israel through him), and he felt this shalom in the very core of his being. That rock altar would always remind him of this precious and wonderful moment when God again brought certainty into his life and the life of Israel.

[steve.c]

Why did Gideon name the altar "The Lord id Peace"? In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?

Gideon was in fear of his life; he was hiding from his enemies when he was visted by an angel of the Lord. He was not quite sure what to make of the encounter when The Lord then said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die". There was a much greater assurance in this than his death was not imminent. The Lord was on his side. He was his protector, his refuge, his rock. God's protection gives real peace and assurance because you can trust it implicitly. In this sense, He is peace and it was logical, given His message, that Gideon would so name the altar. There is nothing He cannot overcome. He is the only sure protector. The knowledge that he enjoyed God's protection and that God was always as good as His word gave Gideon the real feeling of peace. God offered Gideon His complete protection.

[care2hope2]

Gideon named the altar he built ' The Lord is Peace" this he did in response to a reply he

recieved from the angel who brought the message from the Lord to him. Saying peace

and you shall live. Gideon took this as a promise and a prophesy that he would survive and

live thru all he was to do.

The Lord offered peac or put peace in the heart of Gideon by letting him know he would not

die. He would live. The peace came from an assurance that he would be alive after all that

he would do and accomplish that the Lord was ordering him to do..... fro he was in fear and

this fear went away or was made tolerable knowing he had a promise from God thru the

angel that he would not die.

[Lion of Grace]

Gideon was just an ordinary man. I can just imagine everyday, ordinary, Gideon having an encounter with an angel of the Lord! This was in the time of judges and everyone was doing only what was right in their own eyes. God was severe with the people of Israel. He allowed them to go their own way until the results of their sinfulness led them into oppression from their enemies. He waited until they cried out to Him, then He raised a judge to help deliver them. God was one to be feared and at that point, the Israelites had turned from Him, so I'm sure Gideon faced a huge amount of fear at what the message from God might be! To hear the words " Peace! Do not be afraid, You aren't going to die." must have been a mighty relief and comfort! In gratitude alone I think He would have built the altar and named it " The Lord is Peace". God was revealing a facet of himself to Gideon. Fear was replaced with security. Gideon knew that with God on his side, that he would be ok. He was assured victory!

[satyaevangeline]

I can imagine that Gideon was somewhat beside himself with fear at the appearance of the angel of God like most of us feel in times of problems. Here was poor old Gideon, already quite shaken by the oncoming Midianites and now, he encounters the heavenly presence of Yahweh's messenger. This, the same Yahweh that told his forefathers that they would be struck dead, if only to look upon Him. This the same Yahweh that punished Gideon's people time and time again for their disobedience to His laws. Oh what a relief it must have been when he was told; "Shalom! Do not be affraid. You are not going to die." He had just experienced Yahweh in a way he had never before heard or felt. A God of peace. The altar, Gideon's memorial was appropriately named; "the Lord is Peace".
I think Gideon named the altar "Shalom" or "peace" because it solidified for him the moment when God announced shalom to him (and to all Israel through him), and he felt this shalom in the very core of his being. That rock altar would always remind him of this precious and wonderful moment when God again brought certainty into his life and the life of Israel. At this altar he would always be back there with Yahweh, remembering how his offering was received (consumed) and his life changed

[anthony s. rapaglia]

In Judges 6:22--24, When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord,he cried out,"Sovereign Lord,I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!" "It is all right" the Lord replied. "Do not be afraid. You will not die." And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it "The Lord Is Peace."

When Gideon realize that he saw the Angel of the Lord,he was affraid, and called out to the Sovereign Lord, God assure Gideon will not die.

[Stan]

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"? In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?

He wanted to show respect and honor to the Lord and to remember that He had come down to him and told him to be brave that HE,God ,was with him. God offered Gideon the peace of not having to fear His enemies because God was with him and would defend him. God, by wetting the fleece and the ground and not the fleece proved to Gideon that He was controller of all things and that helped Gideon realize that He would do as He said He would and make Gideon leader of His people this and taking away hiis natural fear from being small gave Gideon peace.

[4sue]

The Lord was reaching out to Gideon, but meant him no harm.
He communicated a wonderful feeling of calm and wholeness to Gideon.
A total peace in His heart.
Gideon dedicated an alter to the Lord to show the source of his inner peace and power.

[AngelOnLine]

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"?
Because he talked to an Angel of God, who gave him peace.

In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?
That He would be with him, always.

[olori]

Pastor Ralph, on Mar 8 2006, 10:11 PM, said:

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"? In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon?

Gideon was afraid and hiding from the medianites. The Angel of the LORD came to him and brought him peace. God told him not to be afraid the he was with him.

He called him a mighty warrior. Made him know that he would live and not die. Gideon found much comfort in this and went on to win battles.

[masika]

The Israelites believed that no one could see god and live- Gideon was afraid that he was going to die after seeing an angle of God.