Observations:
(1) God promised Gideon in the encounter14 Then the LORD himself turned to him and said, “You have the strength. Deliver Israel from the power of the Midianites! Have I not sent you?”
Gideon's answer was pretty much like Moses. He had doubts about how he could do that. God's answer to him was pretty much like how His answer to Moses.
16 The LORD said to him, “Ah, but I will be with you! You will strike down the whole Midianite army
God gave 3 signs to Moses (staff turned to snake, leprous hand and water turned to blood) and He also gave signs to Gideon. The 1st sign to Gideon was in v.17-24.
6:17 Gideon said to him, “If you really are pleased with me, then give me a sign as proof that it is really you speaking with me.
6:21 The LORD’s messenger touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of his staff. Fire flared up from the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened bread. The LORD’s messenger then disappeared.
(2) Gideon asked for the 2nd and the 3rd sign in v.36-40. However, in between the 1st and 2nd sign, God gave extra task to Gideon compared with Moses' experience.
6:25 That night the LORD said to him, “Take the bull from your father’s herd, as well as a second bull, one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole. 6:26 Then build an altar for the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold according to the proper pattern. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt sacrifice on the wood from the Asherah pole that you cut down.”
Note, God asked Gideon to build the altar for the LORD on the top of "this stronghold."
(Walton) Canaanite temple sanctuaries were often fortified with walls and towers. By commanding Gideon to build the altar on this pagan site, Yahweh is ordering him to reclaim this paganized land for himself.
(3) The change of allegiance from the people was not seen immediately. Instead, people tried to kill Gideon. However, Gideon's father, whom Gideon was so afraid of, changed his mind first.
v.27b...He [Gideon] was too afraid of his father’s family and the men of the city to do it in broad daylight, so he waited until nighttime.
6:31 But Joash said to all those who confronted him, “Must you fight Baal’s battles? Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up his cause will die by morning! If he really is a god, let him fight his own battles! After all, it was his altar that was pulled down.”
Why did Joash say, "whoever takes up his cause will die by morning"? It was because Joash knew that Baal was taken down in 1 day by his son, and those who worshipped Baal would face the same fate. They would be cut off by the morning. Gideon changed at least 1 person-his father. He knew that Who was real. Their allegiance should be to the Real One.
Finally, 4 tribes, Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali came to Gideon to fight with him v.35.
Reflections: God is gracious to the doubtful mind. He gave signs to confirm His servants. However, He also requires our change of allegiance towards Him. Who is the king of our life? Ourselves? Idols? Or God?
People may or may not see the leading of the LORD's servant right the way. The people who seem to be impossible to change may be the first one who responds. Therefore, do not be afraid of man. If we are following God's will they will follow.
Audrey
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