Judges 6:25 – 32 “On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.” So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime.
When the men of the city got up in the morning, they found Baal’s altar torn down, the Asherah pole beside it cut down, and the second bull offered up on the newly built altar. “Who did this?” they said to one another. And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has torn down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself if someone has torn down his altar.” So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down his altar.”
Well, Gideon isn’t exactly turning into a hero overnight, but he’s making a start. After realizing that he has seen God face to face and has not died, Gideon is ready to take instructions. When God orders Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal, to destroy the Asherah pole next to it, and to build a new altar on that spot, Gideon complies. What is so significant about tearing down Baal’s altar? God has ordered the Israelites that they are not to make altars of carved stones but to use stones in their natural state to construct altars. Proper altars are approached by way of ramps, not steps, so that the priest will not be showing off his genitalia as he climbs up to the altar. Gideon is also supposed to cut down the Asherah pole that stands next to the altar of Baal and to use the wood from that pole to make a burnt offering out of his father’s second bull. What is the purpose of the first bull? Gideon needs muscle power to tear down the Baal altar, hence, the purpose of the young bull. Why is it necessary to burn the Asherah pole? Fire purifies and fire consumes. Only by burning the Asherah pole can Gideon totally destroy it.
Something to notice is that although Gideon has told the angel of the Lord that his father’s house is not important in the tribe of Manasseh, it is Gideon’s father who is maintaining the civic altar to Baal and the Asherah pole. God has chosen Gideon precisely because Gideon’s father is evidently a spiritual leader. Perhaps Gideon’s father has been serving as a priest of Baal and Asherah. Certainly, Gideon’s father commands respect in the town because when the men of the town want to kill Gideon, Gideon’s father, Joash, threatens that “whoever pleads Baal’s case will be dead by morning. If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself if someone has torn down his altar.” At that point, the men of the town decide that Joash is certainly right and that Baal should fight his own battles!
The name “Joash” means “given by the Lord.” How has someone with such a powerful name gotten mixed up in Baal and Asherah worship? The fault lies with Joash’s forebears; they have failed to teach their children about the One True Living God and this is the result. Giving your child a good name in the hopes that you are making up for your deficiencies as a parent and spiritual leader just doesn’t work. Why has Joash taken such a strong step? Gideon has probably told Joash why he has destroyed the altar and has cut down the Asherah pole. (Incidentally, the name “Gideon” means “he who cuts down.”)
APPLICATION: Gideon obeyed the Lord, even if he had to carry out instructions in the middle of the night. And God honored Gideon’s obedience. The men of the town probably hopped out of bed when they heard the noise of the Baal altar being pulled down. Sometimes we take a stand for God, secretly hoping that nobody will notice and that we will not suffer or be penalized. That hope is a delusion. Evil will always oppose righteousness. But God’s side is the winning side and the only side worth supporting.
PRAYER: Father God, help us to obey You, even when it is difficult. Help us to trust that You will keep us until we have fulfilled Your perfect plan for our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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