Just as soon as God "called" Gideon as a "Judge" in Israel, the new Jewish leader was asked to do something for his nation. Something big, dangerous even.
Here are the words of Scripture: "And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it. And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he didit by night. And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove thatwas by it. And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because onehath cast down his altar. Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar."Judges 6:25-32
It seems that much of Israel was contaminated with idol worship during those days! And Gideon's Father was one of the participants.
And one of the first things this newly commissioned man of God must do is ... of course ... get rid of all false gods.
Some act of separation may often follow, immediately follow, upon the heels of a call to serve God, a call to preach!
Gideon is to "throw down" this bogus altar, dedicated to the Canaanite darling, their little god Baal.
Then God asked, commanded, him to build a true altar on the rock foundation that was by then exposed.
Next the grove of trees nearby was to be leveled. That would have included a pole carved in the name of another of their gods, well a goddess in this case.
And once the directions had been given, obediently, Gideon followed the commands of the Lord.
Gideon is a man, or at least belonged to a family, of some means. He is taking "ten men of his servants" to help him hew the trees and destroy the altar! Not every Israeli family had ten servants!
But there's one negative point. Honestly, we are told that Gideon did this task at night, because he was fearful of doing so in the daytime. He is still battling some apprehension, still somewhat fearful.
Of course a commotion ensued when the city dwellers found that their system of worship had been destroyed!
Gideon was discovered to be the culprit and his immediate death was demanded. He had tampered with their gods and goddesses!
Now Gideon's Father comes to the rescue. His name is Joash and it means "Jehovah's Fire," or something close to that. But yet the man had allowed a false religious shrine to be constructed in his backyard!
All this of course is documented in the Scripture printed at the beginning of today's lesson.
Joash stands up for Gideon, using a brilliant piece of logic in doing so. "Can't Baal defend himself? Does that god need someone to 'save' him? Leave my son Gideon alone. If Baal wishes to harm him, then so be it. If not, let God be God!"
Apparently Gideon passes his test. He is still supposed to lead the Jewish army forces into combat against the dreaded Midianites.
Yet he is still worried!
His faith must be stronger.
And God in Heaven, tenderly and patiently, will allow for Gideon's weakness here ... until he can grow into more maturity.
What a magnificent God we serve!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
Probably what was really happening here, at least on the side of Gideon's family, is something called "syncretism." Worshipping in one religious tradition, by one set of convictions, then mixing in aspects of other religious beliefs into that main belief system one has adopted. Like a Baptist wearing or praying rosary beads! May God deliver us form such careless living.
