Judges 6:25-32
Tear Down Your Father's Altar
25On 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.
26Then 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.”
27So 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.
28When the men of the city got up in the morning, there was Baal’s altar torn down, with the Asherah pole cut down beside it and the second bull offered up on the newly built altar.
29“Who did this?” they said to one another. And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”
30Then 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.”
31But 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 with the one who has torn down his altar.”
32So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down Baal’s altar.
Berean Standard Bible
The LORD tells Gideon to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it before he fights Midian.
Gideon obeys at night because he is afraid. His fear does not make the obedience imaginary, but it does show that courage may begin while a person is still frightened.
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.
Gideon obeys at night because he is afraid, and the text neither hides the fear nor treats the obedience as worthless. Joash's answer also matters: if Baal is a god, Baal can contend for himself. The new name Jerubbaal leaves the false god on trial, while Gideon is still a man who must learn to act under the LORD's word.
When Joash is challenged, he answers that Baal should defend himself if he is a god. The family argument receives a new name: Jerubbaal, meaning that Baal should contend with him.
So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down Baal’s altar.
Discuss a faithful act that may begin imperfectly. Ask whether your household is more concerned with looking brave or with removing what competes with the LORD.
Questions
1 What is happening in this reading?
AnswerThe LORD tells Gideon to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it before he fights Midian. Gideon obeys at night because he is afraid.
2 Where do we see responsibility or failure?
AnswerWhen Joash is challenged, he answers that Baal should defend himself if he is a god. The family argument receives a new name: Jerubbaal, meaning that Baal should contend with him.
3 What does this passage make clear?
AnswerGideon obeys at night because he is afraid, and the text neither hides the fear nor treats the obedience as worthless. Joash's answer also matters: if Baal is a god, Baal can contend for himself. The new name Jerubbaal leaves the false god on trial, while Gideon is still a man who must learn to act under the LORD's word.
4 What should our household remember?
AnswerDiscuss a faithful act that may begin imperfectly. Ask whether your household is more concerned with looking brave or with removing what competes with the LORD.
What This Means for Us
Gideon obeys while he is still afraid. Talk about a faithful action that may begin without confidence, and ask whether the family is more concerned with appearing brave or with doing what God has made clear.
Obedience often begins before courage feels complete. A household can make fear speak honestly without allowing fear to decide, and can celebrate quiet faithfulness rather than a convincing performance.
Prayer
Lord, help us discuss a faithful act that may begin imperfectly. Make our home a place where truth and mercy can meet. Amen.