TIME WITH INSPIRE. The Title You Haven't Earned Yet.

Judges 6:12

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, 'The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.

Judges 6:12 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Gideon, a judge of Israel.

This seemingly simple greeting is rich with meaning and sets the stage for Gideon's calling to deliver Israel from the Midianites.

Israel's Oppression and Gideon's Fear

To understand the verse, it's essential to grasp the situation:

Oppression: The Israelites were severely oppressed by the Midianites, who would raid their lands and steal their crops and livestock, leaving them impoverished (Judges 6:1-6).
Gideon's Action: At the moment of this divine address, Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress (Judges 6:11). This was highly unusual and humiliating. Threshing was normally done on a hilltop in an open space to allow the wind to blow away the chaff. Gideon was doing it in a hidden, sunken winepress to keep the small amount of grain he had safe from the Midianite raiders, highlighting his fear and Israel's desperate situation.

The angel's greeting has two profound parts:

This is a declaration of God's presence and promise.

Assurance: It's an affirmation that God has not abandoned Israel, despite their suffering, which Gideon immediately questions in the following verse (Judges 6:13).
Empowerment: It serves as a call to service and a promise of support, similar to how God commissioned Moses, Joshua, and Mary (Luke 1:28). It implies that God will provide the strength and guidance necessary for the task ahead.

This is the most striking and arguably ironic part of the greeting, given Gideon's actions.

Ironic Title: At this moment, Gideon is hiding and working in secret out of fear. His actions are the very opposite of what's expected of a "mighty man of valor," a term usually reserved for a brave, powerful, or distinguished warrior (like David).
God's Perspective: The angel is speaking not about who Gideon is at that moment, but who God sees him becoming through divine intervention. It's a declaration of his potential, the destiny God has for him, and the might that will emerge when he accepts God's call and relies on His presence.
Divine Commission: By calling Gideon what he is not yet, God is laying the foundation for his faith. He is challenging Gideon to rise above his current circumstances and fear to embrace the identity and purpose God has assigned him: to be Israel's delivere

Recap: God called Gideon a Mighty Man of Valor because He is with him, and He sees the destiny, not the dust.
Challenge: What is the "winepress" you are hiding in today—fear, past failure, self-doubt?
Final Charge: Hear the voice of the Angel of the Lord speaking directly to you today: "The LORD is with you!" Do not look at your lack of experience, your small background, or your current anxiety. Look at the Presence of God you carry. Believe the title He has spoken over your life, and step out in the might He has promised to grant you. You are not defined by what you do now, but by the mighty God who stands with you. Amen.