Answers like this are always difficult to give when you consider what we know about Gandalf not only from The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, but also from the Silmarillion. While it is doubtful that Gandalf would have known where choosing Bilbo would lead not only the group, but the entire world, it can be argued that he may have suspected that important things were destined for that little Hobbit. Gandalf had powers that we cannot completely understand so, while it may seem random that he chose Bilbo for the trip, he may have had his reasons all along.
Gandalf's word did not make Biblo a burglar. Bilbo became the Company's burglar after he was nominated for the job by Gandalf.
Because he thought him a good, capable burglar. And very right he was.
Gandalf put the mark of a burglar on the front door of Bilbo's hobbit hole.
That there is a burglar in residence looking for work.
Gandalf gave Bilbo a sword.
Gandalf's word did not make Biblo a burglar. Bilbo became the Company's burglar after he was nominated for the job by Gandalf.
Because he thought him a good, capable burglar. And very right he was.
Gandalf put the mark of a burglar on the front door of Bilbo's hobbit hole.
Because Gandalf believed he was able enough to be a successful burglar.
That there is a burglar in residence looking for work.
That there is a burglar in residence looking for work.
Gandalf is looking for someone to make a 14th person for the adventure. He wants a 'burglar' to help the dwarves.
After he breaks them out of the wood elves prison ....Thorin finally admits that Gandalf was correct, and tells Bilbo he IS what Gandalf said he would be.
To deceive Thorin and the other dwarves into thinking that Bilbo was a professional burglar (and was advertising as such), so that they would take him along on their adventure.
If you are talking about the morning after the party, it was a letter. The dwarves had left a letter with their contract with the burglar there, but Bilbo had not done his normal dusting and missed it.
Gandalf gave Bilbo a sword.
A professional burglar looking for work. It was obvious as the runes of the secret sign indicating this was scratched on his front door (Gandalf had done this without Bilbo's knowledge).