Destroying the Pagan Altar
July 15, 2022
Commentary
Gideon’s father had set up an idol to Baal in a grove of trees on their land like the heathen nations around them. That very night God tested Gideon’s dedication by asking him to tear down his fathers’ altar and to build an altar to Jehovah in its place (vv. 25-26). In addition to this he was to sacrifice his fathers’ special bullock (probably reserved for Baal) on the new altar. Gideon (with the help of 10 trusted servants) obeyed the Lord, but he did it under the cover of darkness out of fear. (v. 27). His fear was well founded. When the local Baal-worshipers discovered the deed the next morning, they were furious and started hunting for the one responsible (v. 28). They were told, Gideon son of Joash had done it (v. 29). They marched on Gideon’s house and demanded that he be turned over to them for execution (v. 30). Joash, Gideon’s father responded by saying, “If (Baal) is a God let him contend for himself” (v. 31). That same day, Joash changed Gideon’s name to Jerubbaal (v. 32). After the crisis had passed Gideon became a hero and many of the tribes began to rally around him.
A swift military defense was needed (v. 33). The power of the Holy Spirit had fallen on Gideon, and he was prepared to deliver Israel (v. 34). And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and the people were called to follow him. He sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet him as well (v. 35). Gideon still had some doubts. The Lord reassured Gideon through the test of the wet and dry fleece (vv. 36-40). The Lord’s patience with us is remarkable.
Application
When is the last time I failed to trust God to bring me through a difficult circumstance and I put out a fleece, so to speak, and asked God to do certain things to prove He was with me? God wants my faith to be in Him and not circumstances. (John 20:29).
Judges 6:25– 40 (NET)
25 That night the Lord said to him, “Take the bull from your father’s herd, as well as a second bull, one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole. 26 Then build an altar for the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold according to the proper pattern. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt sacrifice on the wood from the Asherah pole that you cut down.” 27 So Gideon took ten of his servants and did just as the Lord had told him. He was too afraid of his father’s family and the men of the city to do it in broad daylight, so he waited until nighttime.
28 When the men of the city got up the next morning, they saw the Baal altar pulled down, the nearby Asherah pole cut down, and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar. 29 They said to one another, “Who did this?” They investigated the matter thoroughly and concluded that Gideon son of Joash had done it. 30 The men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, so we can execute him! He pulled down the Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole.” 31 But Joash said to all those who confronted him, “Must you fight Baal’s battles? Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up his cause will die by morning! If he really is a god, let him fight his own battles! After all, it was his altar that was pulled down.” 32 That very day Gideon’s father named him Jerub Baal, because he had said, “Let Baal fight with him, for it was his altar that was pulled down.”
33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east assembled. They crossed the Jordan River and camped in the Jezreel Valley. 34 The Lord’s Spirit took control of Gideon. He blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. 35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh and summoned them to follow him as well. He also sent messengers throughout Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet him.
36 Gideon said to God, “If you really intend to use me to deliver Israel, as you promised, then give me a sign as proof. 37 Look, I am putting a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and the ground around it is dry, then I will be sure that you will use me to deliver Israel, as you promised.” 38 The Lord did as he asked. When he got up the next morning, he squeezed the fleece, and enough dew dripped from it to fill a bowl. 39 Gideon said to God, “Please do not get angry at me, when I ask for just one more sign. Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make only the fleece dry, while the ground around it is covered with dew.” 40 That night God did as he asked. Only the fleece was dry and the ground around it was covered with dew.