Gideon - The Conflict
Judges 6:28-33
Introduction
History reveals that great nations usually fall because of inward struggles not outward invasion. Rome declined because of degradation in morals and national identity. Greed, sexual perversion, power struggles, and internal corruption brought the mighty nation to its knees.
More recently Russia fell not because of an invasion from an invasion without but hunger from within. The country went bankrupt from a brutal war and there was no money to buy bread or other goods. The people revolted and the country collapsed.
Where did God begin? Right in Gideon’s home town. In order to free the nation of Israel he first had to rid his family and town of idol worship.
Gideon was filled with doubts when it came to his ability but he had completed the task that had been set before him by the Lord. He had torn down the altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole even though he was afraid. He took the bull of seven years and sacrificed it on the new altar to the Lord God.
What I find amazing is that no one heard the altar being demolished. One would think that the tools, which were crude, would have been impact tools for cutting and smashing. Baal altars were elaborate so wood and rock would have made sound when it hit the ground.
Perhaps this was one more way the Lord demonstrated His power. The Lord had said he was with Gideon. He closed the ears of the town’s people so the work could be finished completely. He might have even stopped the sound altogether from reaching the town.
What of his father? Did he see his son and simply repent and go back to sleep? We do not know but it is evident that the Lord was at work in the destruction of Baal’s alter and the Asherah pole.
Gideon’s faith in the Lord had won out over his fear of his father and the men of the town. However, the town had not awakened from their sleep. When they woke up they would see the destruction of the altar and Gideon might yet die.
1. A Riot at Home - v. 28-30
In the morning when the men 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!
The town people got up, saw the altar destroyed, an altar to God in its place, and became enraged. Someone had torn down their altar to Baal. To the people that meant that there was a traitor amongst them, someone who wasn’t like them. They thought this person sought to destroy their way of life, such as it was.
Not only was the altar destroyed but the bull was smoldering on the new altar to God. Some say this second bull was the town’s bull. It was dedicated to Baal. The town used their resources from the people to feed and raise the bull and so not only would Gideon have destroyed the altar but their bull that was to be sacrificed by the town. Whatever was left of the altar or the bull the town wanted to know who had done the act.
29They asked each other, “Who did this?” When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”
It seems there were a lot of questions asked in the morning. All were aimed at finding out who did it. Gideon took ten servants with him it is probable that one of them told. Gideon had been "sold out" by one of his own servants or someone who had knowledge of the event. However it happened, this "careful investigation" turned up with the name "Gideon, son of Joash".
30The men 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.”
The people wanted a death sentence for Gideon even though he was following the command of the Lord. Gideon had every right to destroy Baal worship because this is what God had commanded in His Law (Ex. 34:12-13; Deut. 7:5). For that matter, he had the right to stone everybody who was involved in Baal worship (Deut. 13), but God didn’t include that in His instructions. (Weirsbe)
So why the death sentence for doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord among God’s people? Baal worship was all about pleasure and sensuality. The worship of Baal and Astarte center on sex and sexual perversions of all kinds. Child sacrifice was also a part of it.
It was extremely appealing to people just as it is today. Pornography, prostitution, deviance of all kinds pervades our nation. It appeals to the base instincts of mankind. Abortion, our legalized child sacrifice, is rampant in out country as well. You might say Baal worship is alive and well in our country. We have become a nation of Baal worshippers.
Gideon had torn down their playground. He had eliminated their reason, excuse for doing all of their acts of depravity. A psychologist once told me the hardest addictions to break involve peoples inner child. People still have their "playgrounds". Playgrounds are areas of life that give the most immediate satisfaction. When someone "tears down" or tries to tear down a "playground" it is met with anger and rage.
The name of Jesus Christ calls out a person’s behavior and reveals sin. Believers are met with the same anger today because we stand against peoples immoral playgrounds.
2. A Righteous Rebuke - v. 31-32
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.” 32So that day they called Gideon “Jerub-Baal,” saying, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he broke down Baal’s altar.
Joash had probably worshipped Baal with the men who wanted to kill his son. The passage seems to indicate the altar was either in his front yard or on his property somewhere. In any case, he was involved in this pagan worship.
His son was in trouble, about to be killed and Joash finally decides it was time to make a stand. The way he rebuked the town was ingenious. He questioned Baal’s power and authority. After all, if he was a god then he should be able to bring about his own vengeance on Gideon. Joash also adds a warning to the men off the town.
"Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning!"
Wow, this was a bold statement to a pagan crowd. Joash threatened them with a death sentence. At this statement the crowd calmed down. Joash essentially said to let Baal get his chance at avenging the destruction of his altar. The Hebrew language bears this out.
"Whoever shall fight for Baal, and seek to avenge the destruction of his altar by putting the author of it to death, shall be put to death himself; let us wait till to-morrow, and give Baal time to avenge the insult which he has received. “If he be God, let him fight for himself; for they have destroyed his altar,” and have thereby challenged his revenge." (Kiel & Delitzsch)
They gave Gideon the name Jerub-baal translated, "contends with Baal". The town’s attention would be on Gideon, whether he would survive until morning.
Gideon did survive and now he was their leader. He was the one who would fight against Baal and destroy the altars in the nation. The town now had an altar to God in place of Baal. They could again worship the Lord. He had successfully carried out the plan given him by the Lord. They looked to Gideon now as their leader, the one who stood up to Baal, who redirected them to the Lord. But his troubles were just beginning.
3. A Rising of Old Enemies - v. 33
Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
How did the enemies of Israel view Gideon and the renewed worship of the Lord? They viewed it as a threat to their power and authority. In response to Gideon’s "revival", they formed an eastern alliance with each other. It seems as if they were determined to stop this renewal in its tracks.
Even they knew that worship of the Lord brought blessing and freedom to the people. How did they know? They had experienced defeat before from the Lord and His people. If they could cut it off quick enough they might succeed in their plan. After all, their gravy train would be gone if the Lord granted liberty to Israel.
Another interesting item is that they did not come from Canaan in the south they came across the Jordon to the valley of Jezreel. Why, to possibly surprise the Israelites before they could amass an army for battle.
Conclusion
The people of Israel were getting renewed and restored. It began with one man called by God to do the tasks prepared before him by God. Gideon was a man of doubt but he eventually did as the Lord commanded. His life changed when he took that step of faith.
We need to remember that all great revivals and renewals start with the Lord calling a man out to do His will. Faith has doubt. If there is not doubt, there is no faith. But faith must overcome doubt as it did in Gideon’s life.
A step of obedience to the Lord takes place when faith is exercised. Gideon did as the Lord commanded but he ran into opposition right at home. Our opposition lies within, our doubt, and then we are met with opposition close to home, the church, and the people. Why, because we get comfortable and don’t challenge or change. Like Gideon people say, "What can I do?"
What happens when the church gets revived? Opposition occurs from without. Obstacles and road blocks crop up from everywhere and there is again an opportunity for doubt or for faith. Gideon chose to follow the Lord but it was never easy. If we chose to follow Him today, personally, and as a church, expect opposition but also expect victory from the Lord.
