Scripture: Judges 6:25-31 That same night the Lord said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.”
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime.
In the morning when the people of the town got up, there was Baal’s altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar!
They asked each other, “Who did this?”
When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” The people of the town demanded of Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” So because Gideon broke down Baal’s altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal that day, saying, “Let Baal contend with him.”
Devotional: After God affirmed Gideon, called Him for His purpose, and revealed Himself to him, God tested Gideon. He had promised to be with him and now he tested his courage. Would he believe God? Would he be obedient to God’s instruction? Would he have the courage to begin to tear down the symbols of his family and Israel’s idolatry? It was a smaller test before the bigger challenge came.
I love Gideon’s response. He did what God asked, but he did it at night, as he was struggling with fear. Aren’t we like that at times? We want to be obedient to God, but we are afraid. Afraid of the reactions of others. Afraid of what it might cost us.
We see from this portion of Gideon’s story that God was faithful in protecting him after he destroyed the idols. Even when others wanted to kill him, God caused Gideon’s father to point out the obvious: “if Baal is god, he can defend himself.”
God used this test of Gideon’s courage and willingness to obey to strengthen his faith. He was well on his way to becoming that mighty warrior God had affirmed.
Reflect:
- How have you seen God strengthen your faith and courage when you’ve been afraid, but still responded in obedience to Him?