Judges 6:28-40 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Judges 6:28-40. Let’s go!
Judges 6:28-31 (NIV)
28 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!
29 They asked each other, “Who did this?” When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”
30 The 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.”
31 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.”
On verses 28-31: Gideon obeys God’s command to tear down the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole that were erected on his house. The townspeople take exception to Gideon’s actions, saying that he must die. Gideon’s father Joash comes to his son’s defense. Joash basically makes two points.
First, he says (paraphrasing verse 31) “if Baal really is a god, he doesn’t need you to defend him and avenge him.” It seems that Joash, who had allowed the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole both to be erected on his property as well as later to be destroyed by Gideon, was having second thoughts about whether these gods were real. This is speculative, but perhaps Joash was inspired by his son’s actions, was reminded of his spiritual heritage in the LORD, and was repenting of his idolatrous past. In any event what this tells me is that don’t assume that just because a person looks very religious on the outside that they are. Everyone has questions and the outside appearance of religiosity can sometimes mask what is really going on inside that person’s heart. So don’t assume that someone is beyond inviting to church or beyond sharing the gospel with. You just might be tapping into a part of their heart that is looking for help.
Second, when Joash says “whoever fights for him [i.e. Baal] shall be put to death by morning!” (v31), Joash is really saying, “if anyone tries to hurt my son Gideon in the name of Baal, that person will not be alive tomorrow morning.” This was Joash giving his son Gideon the strongest protection and support that he could. Parents, when your kids take steps forward in faith, may you be their biggest support and encourager. You have no idea how much your support and encouragement means to them. Also, just as Gideon had Joash, you have a Father who comes to your defense and who stands up for you, even to the point of giving up life for you. As 1 John 2:1 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
Judges 6:32 (NIV)
32 So that day they called Gideon “Jerub-Baal,” saying, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he broke down Baal’s altar.
On verse 32: The worshipers of Baal began calling Gideon “Jerub-Baal”, which means “Let Baal contend with him”. To the extent that this was a curse that they placed on Gideon, Gideon’s story is a story of God’s protection over His people. Others may curse you but God’s protection over your life is stronger. Covered by the blood of Jesus, the protection that is over your life is stronger than any attack or curse that may be thrown at you.
Judges 6:33-40 (NIV)
33 Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
34 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.
35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them.
36 Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised–
37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”
38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew–a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew.”
40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
On verses 33-40: Here Gideon requests two signs from God involving a woolen fleece. Some people look at that as a lack of faith on Gideon’s part, as if Gideon was testing God. “Why couldn’t Gideon just take God at His Word?” they might ask. To me when I read these verses I get a different sense (at least today! :). To me it seems that Gideon wasn’t lacking faith here but exercising faith. Gideon had already moved in faith by obeying God’s command to take down his father’s Baal altar and Asherah pole. Praying to God, Gideon says, “If You will save Israel by my hand as you have promised” (v36), showing that he believed that a big part of Him believed that God had spoken this promise to him. I don’t think Gideon was questioning whether God was real, faithful or able. Rather, I believe Gideon’s questions and doubts had to do with himself. “Could God use me?” While Gideon believed in God, Gideon also seemed to have much doubts about himself, and now before Gideon could win a battle against the Midianites, Amalekites and other Eastern peoples, Gideon first had to settle the battle in his heart: “What is greater: my faith in God or my doubts about myself?”
So these two requests for signs that Gideon makes were not to settle the question: “Is God really there?” Rather they were to settle the question, “Is God really with me?” God would answer Gideon’s question twice with a resounding yes. God showed Gideon through these two requests that when Gideon spoke in faith and moved in faith (faith not in himself but in God), supernatural things could take place.
Especially for those of us who question our ability when faced with a big challenge, this is the same battle that needs to be settled before God can truly use us. Is God’s strength really stronger than my weakness? Yes. Absolutely. God is with you, and His strength is greater than your weakness.
Thank You Father that You’ve always got my back, You’re always watching over me, and I’ve got the best protection anyone could have in the blood of Jesus. Thank You that Your strength is greater than my weakness, and that Your strength can do amazing things even with someone like me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
