878 B
878 B
Gideon’s father had an altar dedicated to an idol
Gideon’s own father worshiped false gods rather than Yahweh, the true God.
The first thing God told Gideon to do was to tear down that altar
God would not help Gideon rescue Israel until he destroyed the altar of the idol that his family worshiped.
Gideon was afraid of the people
The Israelites who lived around Gideon also worshiped idols. Gideon was afraid that they would be angry with him if he destroyed the altar where his father worshiped idols.
he waited until nighttime
Because Gideon was afraid of the people, he tore the altar down at night when no one would see him do it and try to stop him.
He built a new altar to God
Gideon not only destroyed his father’s altar so he could not worship the false gods, but he also built an altar to God and worshiped God by sacrificing an animal on it.