Gideon heeds God's promise

Judges Chapter 6 Verses 25-40

The night Gideon built the altar in Ophrah, the Lord said to Gideon, "Take the second best bull from your father's herd . . . and pull down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole standing next to it. Then build an altar to the Lord your God here on this hill . . . Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the Asherah pole you cut down." So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord had commanded. But he did it at night because he was afraid of the other members of his father's household and the people of the town. He knew what would happen if they found out who had done it.

Early the next morning, someone discovered the altar of Baal had been knocked down and Asherah pole was gone. The new altar had been built and the remains of a sacrifice was on it. The people asked who would do this? And after asking around, they learned it was Gideon, son of Joash. So they shouted to Joash to bring out his son and they would kill him for destroying the altar and pole. But Joash shouted back that they could not defend Baal or argue his case and whoever pleads his case would be put to death by morning. He argued that if Baal was a true god, he could defend himself and destroy the one who knocked down his altar. From then on, Gideon was called Jerubbaal, which means "Let Baal defend himself."

Soon the armies of Midians, Amaleks and an eastern alliance crossed the border into Israel and camped at Jezreel. The spirit of the Lord took over Gideon and he blew a ram's horn as a call to arms and the men of the clan Abiezer came to him. He also sent messengers throughout Manassh, Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali summoning their warriors and they all responded.

Then Gideon said to God, "if you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel, prove it to me in this way. I will put some wool on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning, but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me as you promised. The next morning when Gideon squeezed the fleece, he wrung out a whole bowlful of water. And so he prayed to God, "Don't be angry with me, but let me make one more request. This time let the fleece stay dry while the ground is wet with dew." The next morning the fleece was dry and ground was covered with dew.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The Canaanite religion was very political, so an attack on a god was seen as a attack on the local government supporting that god. Gideon took a great risk in following God's higher law, which forbids idol worship. Many of the town's people who wanted to kill Gideon were Israelites, so it shows how immoral they had become.
Gideons request of miracles to prove God's promise, was less than ideal and he risked having God angry with him for the delay. Demanding these signs was a sign of unbelief. It was putting limitations on God and asking him to fit Gideon's expectations. This was very wrong of Gideon.

How does this chapter relate to us in today's world? Christians should be aware that when we begin to accomplish something for God, we may be criticized by the very people who should support us - like the Israelites who wanted to kill Gideon for tearing down Baal's altar. But stick to your guns. God knows what is in your heart and he will help get you through the rough patches.
Do not test the will of God like Gideon. Take what God promises at face value. Asking for more or asking God to prove things to you, just shows a weakness in your beliefs. Let God's wisdom come to you through Bible study and prayer.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: She has good days, but is far from out of the woods. Pray for her, please and her parents too.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.