Judges 6:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

A discerning man, who foresaw the greatness of the forthcoming sacrament, turned around. In accordance with the prophecy, he utilized the calf he had set aside to dismantle the idols of his father. He offered another calf, aged seven years, to God with his own hands. Through this act, Gideon unmistakably demonstrated that following the arrival of the Lord, all pagan offerings were to be consumed by fire, as a singular offering of the Lord's suffering would be made to God for the salvation of humanity. This calf served as a prefiguration of Christ, in whom, as stated by Isaiah (Isaiah 11:2), the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit would dwell abundantly. The same calf was offered by Abraham when he perceived the day of the Lord, and he rejoiced (John 8:56). Thus, the Lord is represented in various forms: as a goat, a sheep, and a bullock. The goat symbolizes the sacrifice for sins, the ram signifies a voluntary offering, and the bullock represents a clean sacrifice.