What does Judges 6:20 mean?
“And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.” — Judges 6:20
The Bible verse Judges 6:20, from the King James Version, reads:
"And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so."
This verse is part of the story of Gideon, a judge and military leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. In this particular passage, Gideon has encountered an angel of the Lord, who has instructed him to prepare an offering. Gideon follows the angel's instructions, and we see his obedience and faith in action.
The story of Gideon is found in the book of Judges, which is part of the Old Testament. Judges is a historical and theological book that describes the period of time after the Israelites had entered the Promised Land, but before the establishment of the monarchy. During this time, the Israelites went through cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, and Gideon's story is one example of this pattern.
One of the key themes in this passage is obedience to God's instructions. Gideon's willingness to follow the specific commands of the angel of the Lord demonstrates his faith and trust in God. This theme of obedience is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, and it underscores the importance of submitting to God's will and following his guidance.
Another theme present in this verse is the idea of sacrifice and offering. The angel instructs Gideon to prepare a meal as an offering, which was a common practice in ancient Israel as a way of honoring God and seeking his favor. The act of offering sacrifices was an important aspect of Israelite religious life, and it symbolized giving back to God from the fruits of one's labor.
The use of food as a tangible offering is also significant in this verse. The flesh, unleavened cakes, and broth represent the material, physical aspect of worship, and they serve as a reminder that God is present and active in the everyday aspects of life. By using these ordinary, everyday items as an offering, the passage demonstrates that worship and obedience to God are not limited to specific rituals or religious activities, but can encompass all aspects of our lives.
The setting and context of this passage are also important to consider when interpreting its meaning. Gideon's story takes place during a time of great hardship for the Israelites, who were being oppressed by the Midianites. The fact that Gideon is preparing an offering in the midst of this oppression serves as a reminder that even in times of struggle and difficulty, God is still present and worthy of worship.
In terms of symbolism, the rock on which Gideon lays the offering is significant. Throughout the Bible, the image of a rock is often used to represent stability, strength, and the presence of God. In this context, the rock may symbolize God's faithfulness and unchanging nature, as well as serving as a physical reminder of the encounter between Gideon and the angel of the Lord.
In conclusion, Judges 6:20 from the King James Version of the Bible is a verse that highlights the themes of obedience, sacrifice, and the presence of God in everyday life. Through Gideon's act of preparing an offering, we are reminded of the importance of submitting to God's will, honoring him through our actions, and acknowledging his presence in all aspects of our lives. The passage also serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and his ability to work in the midst of difficult circumstances.
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Artwork for Judges 6:20
Judges 6:20 - "And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so."
"And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so." - Judges 6:20
Judges 20:6 - "And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel."
Judges 15:20 - "And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years."
Judges 20:29 - "And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah."
Judges 20:20 - "And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah."
Judges 6:6 - "And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD."
Judges 20:19 - "And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah."
Judges 5:20 - "They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera."
Judges 21:20 - "Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;"
Judges 20:27 - "And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,"
Judges 20:44 - "And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour."
Judges 20:24 - "And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day."
Judges 20:7 - "Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel."
Ezekiel 20:4 - "Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:"
Judges 14:20 - "But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."
Judges 1:20 - "And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak."
"And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years." - Judges 15:20
1 Corinthians 6:2 - "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"
Judges 18:20 - "And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people."
Judges 20:9 - "But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;"
Judges 20:11 - "So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man."
"And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel." - Judges 20:6
Judges 3:6 - "And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods."
Luke 6:37 - "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
Judges 20:47 - "But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months."
Judges 20:41 - "And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them."
Judges 20:12 - "¶ And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?"
Judges 6:36-40 – Gideon’s fleece test for dew.
Judges 20:14 - "But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel."