RIGHTING WRONG STARTS AT HOME

Judges 6:25-26

Morning Meditation

"And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down."

This is our starting place but we will actually look at verses 25-40. Gideon in himself was weak and uninfluential; but now that the presence and peace of Jehovah was with him, and in him, he becomes what God saw that he ought to be: “A mighty man of valor.” First of all let’s look at—

WHERE HE BEGAN

He began at home. Verse 25 says, “Take thy father’s bullock, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath.” The command to “Honor thy father,” has a far-reaching effect, and may be fulfilled by a son in a way that is very painful to the father. Gideon would honor his father but destroy his father’s gods.

It takes courage to make a start and take a stand for God and for righteousness among our own kin. “Go home to thy friends, and tell them what great things the Lord hath done for thee” (Mark 5:19).

We pray for revival but revival always starts at home. And it begins with confession of sin. We must tear down the altars that we have erected to those idols that come between us and God.

He began at once. Verse 27 says, “And Gideon took the men, . . .did it by night.” It would appear that no time was lost. Gideon’s ten servants, through his consistent testimony, were fully in sympathy with Jehovah, and ready at once to follow their master in the needed work for God. The call was clear. Why should he put it off? Procrastination is a major problem with the people of God today. We wait when we should be on the move. When God speaks, instant obedience is always the right way.

WHAT HE DID

First of all there was a pulling down. Verse 25 says, “Throw down the altar of Baal.” The altar of Baal represented that which was false, deceptive, and opposed to the will and rule of Jehovah. Every God-usurping thing around us or within us must be overturned and dethroned. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

“The worship was performed by burning incense and offering burnt-sacrifices, which occasionally consisted of human victims. The officiating priests danced with frantic shouts around the altar, and cut themselves with knives to excite the attention and compassion of the god.” Smith’s Bible Dictionary.

The worship of Baal was pure idol worship and was strictly forbidden by the LORD.  So God is using Gideon to clean house.

He built up. Verse 26 says, “Build an altar unto the Lord thy God.” It is not enough to stop the deceit of false worship, the worship of the true God must be reestablished.  Next let’s notice—

WHAT FOLLOWED

A changed attitude. Verse 30 says, “The men of the city said, Bring out thy son that he may die.” Death in one form or another is always the worlds penalty for faithfulness to God. The first evidence of faithfulness to Christ is the opposition of the ungodly.

A changed name. Verse 32, “Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal.” This name means, “Baal’s antagonist.” It is a blessed stigma to be called “a hater of false gods,” and enemy to ignorance and superstition. It is quite becoming for a man to get a new name when he becomes a new creature (Gen. 32:28)

HOW HE WAS ENCOURAGED

He was encouraged by the anointing of the Spirit. Verse 34 says, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon (clothed) Gideon, and he blew a trumpet.”  Fitness for the service of God can only be found in the Spirit of God. The blowing of the Gospel trumpet by a man clothed with the power of God will surely bring a harvest of souls.

The testimony of the fleece. In answer to the prayer of Gideon the fleece was wet with dew, while the earth around was dry; and again, the fleece was dry while on the ground there was dew (Vss 36-40). This was a miracle of guidance. He did not use the fleece to find the will of God. He knew what that was. He used it to prove the will of God.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White