Already in Gideon’s time, the exodus seemed like the distant past, something “our ancestors told us about” (Judg 6:13). When Gideon is greeted by a messenger of Yahweh—“Yahweh is with you.”—his response is skepticism: “If so, why is all this happening to us. The exodus seems like just an old story! Yahweh has abandoned us” (Judges 6:11–13).

It is striking that Gideon brings up the Exodus here because the exodus story is about to play out with him, right here in Judges 6. Moses was called to deliver Israel and he responded, “Who am I?” (Exod 3:11). Gideon is now called to do the same, deliver Israel from Midian. Gideon’s response mirrors Moses’s response: Moses said, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” (Exod 3:11). Gideon says, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel?” (Judg 6:15). The messenger of Yahweh responds to Gideon with the exact same words that Yahweh spoke to Moses from the burning bush: “But I will be with you” (כִּי־אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ, Judg 6:16; Exod 3:12).

The story continues, and Gideon’s doubt continues, just like Moses. “I will be with you” didn’t fix either Gideon or Moses, and in both cases Yahweh is so patient with them. The next step in both stories is the provision of signs (Judg 6:17ff.; Exod 3:13ff.). Yahweh’s character in these stories reminds me of the story of Jonah—Yahweh is patient with Jonah’s anger, too. Yahweh just keeps talking and listening and responding. Twelve years ago, I wrote a series of posts about different ways to think about Jonah’s character. You can read the one titled “Jonah as Disciple” here.

I’m thankful that the Lord is patient with us. The words spoken to Moses and Gideon are always the hope of God’s people: “But I will be with you.” That’s always the hope. It’s the last words of the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus said, “Look, I’m with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). There aren’t any better words.

In 2025, may the Spirit help us to believe that gospel. May we trust that “I am with you” is more than enough. May we pick up our cross, seek the Father’s will, and follow the Son all the way to the end.