9th.: Gideon's Burnt Offering
God appeared to Gideon in human form, and gave him a challenging task,
“Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites.” (Judg 6:14).
Gideon must have thought, "Who is this guy?"
Gideon diplomatically responded,
“If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me a sign that thou talks with me.
Depart not from here, I pray thee, until I come unto thee and bring forth my present and set it before thee.”
(Judg. 6:17-18a).
The word for ‘present’ is ‘minchah’, which can refer to a bestowal, or a special bloodless and voluntary sacrificial offering.
It is inferred that Gideon wanted to test the messenger with the offering.
What this man did with the offering would validate the man’s claims.
As things turned out, the 'man' talking with Gideon supernaturally produced fire from a rock.
The fire burnt the offering, (Judg. 6:19-21), thus proving to that He was supernatural.
The main point for Gideon’s request was to “prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good.” (1st Thes. 5:21).
Likewise, it is good for us to ask the Lord about the claims of self-proclaimed prophets.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1st John 4:1)