The answer is: Gideon

Jdg 6:19

Let's take a moment to savor the juicy details of this scene featuring Gideon, a key figure in the Book of Judges. Here he is, hiding in a winepress to avoid Midianite marauders, feeling downcast and defeated. Yet, when the angel of the Lord visits him—in an oddly casual way—he's got food on his mind! What a human touch in the divine narrative.

Gideon prepares a young goat, unleavened bread, and broth—food often associated with sustenance and comfort, especially in times of distress. Fun fact: this act involves a bit of culinary negotiation; Gideon doesn’t just whip up food on the spot. His offering indicates care and respect for divine visitors, reminiscent of how Abraham hosted angels in Genesis 18.

After making the meal, Gideon provides it and waits expectantly, a moment pregnant with tension. Imagine the emotional rollercoaster as the angel takes the offering and lights it on fire! Not just a “thank you,” but a "yes, I've accepted you" from God.

This kind of intimate connection occurs repeatedly in the scripture—think of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, where food symbolizes God's provision against all odds. Gideon’s provision shows that God often meets us at our point of need, adding hints of humor and hope into our very human situations. The meal under the oak tree becomes a holy moment, marking the beginning of Gideon's transformative journey.