AM: he who is who he is, who has mercy on whom he has mercy; he whose grace is free, yet who can also keep himself to himself. Gideon like Moses is hearing too much, and is afraid, and must have a sign to be sure that he is hearing what he is hearing. Rather strangely our text now offers us a second recognition scene (N.B. v. 22). Gideon goes to prepare food, apparently as an act of hospitality. But when it arrives, the messenger touches it with his staff, and it is burned as befits a sacrifice.