What we find throughout the book of Judges is also found at the beginning of Gideon’s story: the people call upon the name of YAHWEH in their distress. This is the beginning of the deliverance and the reason for Gideon’s calling. God first sends a prophet.
Judges 6
8 Then YAHWEH sent a prophet to the sons of Israel, saying to them, “Thus says YAHWEH , the God of Israel: I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out from the house of servants.
9 I delivered you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of all your oppressors, and I drove them out from before you and gave their land to you.
10 And I have said to you, ‘I am YAHWEH your God.’ You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. And you have not listened to My voice.
An unknown prophet
This seems a somewhat strange event, because as we read further, we see that after this prophet comes an angel (messenger) of YAHWEH , who appears to Gideon and appoints him as the redeemer of Israel. If we didn’t have this passage about the unknown prophet, the story would simply continue, and we wouldn’t miss anything.
This prophet tells us nothing new; he merely reminds the people of their history. It was YAHWEH who led them out of Egypt and delivered them from their enemies. Yet, the people did not serve Him, but committed idolatry and followed other gods.
Have you never read the Scriptures…?
This prophet is a picture of Jesus of Nazareth in his earthly walk. The Lord also told them nothing new when He came to Israel, but reminded them of what was written in their own scriptures (Mark 11:17). For example, by saying: “Have you not read that…?” (Matt. 12:3; Matt. 19:4). And: “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures.” (Matt.22:29). Or: “Oh fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25).
He takes away the first, to establish the second
This prophet also reminds Israel of who God is and what He has done. But he disappears, and then an “angel of the LORD” comes and calls Gideon. This principle of a first, followed by a second, is encountered very often in Scripture and also plays a role later in Gideon’s story. Some examples: Saul – David, John the Baptist – Jesus, old covenant – new covenant, Jesus – Christ.
God takes away the first to establish the second (Heb. 10:9). Jesus of Nazareth came under the old covenant, as a man in humiliation, to die. But God raised Him from the dead, exalted the risen Christ to His right hand, and thus established the new covenant.