Topical Bible: Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Gideon, in Destroying the Altar of Baal

◄ Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Gideon, in Destroying the Altar of Baal ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Gideon, a central figure in the Book of Judges, exemplifies the courage of conviction through his decisive actions against idolatry in Israel. His account is a testament to the power of faith and obedience to God's commands, even in the face of potential danger and opposition.

Background

During the time of the Judges, Israel was in a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The Israelites had turned away from God, worshiping the Canaanite deity Baal, which led to their subjugation by the Midianites. In response to their cries for help, God chose Gideon, a man from the tribe of Manasseh, to deliver Israel from their oppressors.

Divine Encounter and Commission

Gideon's journey begins with a divine encounter. The Angel of the Lord appears to him, addressing him as a "mighty warrior" and commissioning him to save Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6:12). Despite his initial hesitations and feelings of inadequacy, Gideon is reassured by God's promise, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man" (Judges 6:16).

Act of Courage: Destroying the Altar of Baal

Gideon's first act of courage is not on the battlefield but in his own community. God commands him to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. He is instructed to build a proper altar to the Lord and offer a burnt sacrifice using the wood of the Asherah pole (Judges 6:25-26).

Aware of the potential backlash from his family and townspeople, Gideon acts at night. Despite the risk, he obeys God's command, demonstrating his commitment to the Lord's will over societal pressures. The next morning, when the townspeople discover the destruction of the altar, they demand Gideon's life. However, his father Joash defends him, challenging the people, "If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar" (Judges 6:31).

Significance

Gideon's courage in destroying the altar of Baal is a pivotal moment in his account. It signifies a turning point for Israel, as it marks the beginning of their return to the worship of the one true God. This act of defiance against idolatry sets the stage for Gideon's subsequent military victories and the deliverance of Israel from Midianite oppression.

Gideon's actions underscore the importance of faithfulness to God, even when it requires standing against cultural norms and familial expectations. His courage of conviction serves as an enduring example of how obedience to God can lead to transformation and deliverance, both personally and communally.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 6:25-31
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said to him, Take your father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the grove that is by it:
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