To answer Gideon’s initial objection, the Lord himself responds rather than the angel. However, too much significance should not be attached to such a distinction between “Lord” and “angel” (contra Boling: 131). Most likely, the terms are used interchangeably: in these cases the angel is a representation of God himself. Significantly, the Lord’s reply essentially ignores Gideon’s concerns and instead directs a command to the deliverer-to-be: Go.… I hereby commission you (6:14). Nevertheless, Gideon,