Jdg 6:29
- In the hard times that Israel found themselves in, Baal became very important to them, they would probably have worshipped Baal even more now that the Midianites were fighting with them.
- When Gideon destroys Baal’s altar, the villagers get angry, but one can ask why they didn’t get angry when they built Baal’s altar.
Jdg 6:30
- Because Gideon tore down Baal’s altar, the people want to kill Gideon.
- Gideon’s father, however, gives the people a logical argument; if Baal minds his altar being destroyed, then he must do something about it himself. Otherwise, he is hardly worthy of worship.
- According to an old story, something similar happened in the South Pacific in the 19th century. A tribal chief had become a Christian so he gathered the people and all the statues of the gods. He told the statues that he was now going to destroy them and if they wanted to, they could run away. No one ran away so the chief destroyed all the gods and the people became Christians.
Jdg 6:33
- Presumably, Israel’s enemies are now gathering to finally crush Israel.
- This shows us what perfect timing God has; at just the right time, God calls Gideon to lead Israel.
Jdg 6:34
- In Old Testament times, God filled certain chosen people with his Spirit, to empower them to carry out a special mission.
- In the new covenant, God has promised to fill everyone with his Holy Spirit:
- “And it shall come to pass after this, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. And upon the servants and handmaids I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” (Joel 2:28-29)