Question 1

Why did God tell Gideon to destroy his father’s altar to Baal?

Accepted Answer

God told Gideon to destroy his father’s altar to Baal because Israel had turned to idols, even in the homes of those God would use. Before Gideon could lead the people in battle, God wanted him to clean out false worship starting in his own family. The altar and the grove beside it were symbols of worship to other gods, which directly opposed loyalty to the Lord. By tearing them down and building an altar to God in their place, Gideon showed that true worship of the Lord cannot be mixed with worship of idols.

Question 2

Why did Gideon act at night instead of during the day in this story?

Accepted Answer

Gideon acted at night because he was afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city. He knew that tearing down Baal’s altar and cutting down the grove would anger people who were deeply attached to that worship. Acting at night did not mean he lacked faith, but it shows a real mix of fear and obedience. He still did exactly what God commanded, just in a more cautious way. This shows that faith can be present even when someone feels afraid, as long as they still choose to obey God.

Question 3

What is the meaning of Gideon’s new name Jerubbaal in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Gideon’s new name Jerubbaal means something like “Let Baal plead” or “Let Baal contend.” The name came from Joash’s words when the people wanted Gideon put to death for tearing down Baal’s altar. Joash argued that if Baal is really a god, he can defend himself against the one who destroyed his altar. The new name is almost like a challenge or a reminder that Baal did nothing to stop Gideon. It points to the weakness of idols and the truth that the Lord is the living God who really acts.

Question 4

Why did the men of the city want to kill Gideon after the altar was torn down?

Accepted Answer

The men of the city wanted to kill Gideon because they were very attached to Baal worship. When they saw that Baal’s altar was thrown down, the grove was cut down, and a bull had been offered on a new altar, they saw it as a direct attack on their religion. Instead of asking whether their worship was wrong, they went after the one who exposed it. Their anger shows how deep their idolatry ran. They were ready to demand Gideon’s death rather than let go of their false god and turn back to the Lord.

Question 5

How did Joash defend Gideon when the people demanded his death?

Accepted Answer

Joash defended Gideon by turning the people’s logic back on them. When they demanded that Gideon be brought out to die, Joash asked, “Will you plead for Baal? Will you save him?” He said that anyone who tried to defend Baal should be put to death, and that if Baal was really a god, he could plead for himself because his altar had been thrown down. Joash’s words shamed their idol worship and protected his son. It also shows a change in Joash, moving from owning a Baal altar to standing with the Lord.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about dealing with idolatry in our own lives?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that dealing with idolatry often starts close to home and may come with a cost. Gideon had to confront the false worship in his own family and town before he could lead a wider deliverance. He did what God said even though he was afraid and knew people would be angry. For us, idolatry can be anything we put in God’s place. The story encourages honest self-check, a willingness to remove what competes with God, and courage to obey even when it goes against family habits or cultural norms.

Question 7

What does the command to build an altar to the Lord on the rock show about true worship?

Accepted Answer

The command to build an altar to the Lord on the top of the rock shows that God does not just want idols removed, he wants his own worship set up in their place. Gideon was told to build the altar in an ordered way and to offer the bull using the wood from the grove he cut down. This shows that true worship is not careless, but done as God directs. It also pictures a clear break with the old way: the very wood once used for false worship now serves the Lord, showing a full turn back to God.

Question 8

What does this story show about God using fearful or imperfect people?

Accepted Answer

This story shows that God can use people who feel weak, fearful, or come from compromised backgrounds. Gideon’s family had an altar to Baal, and Gideon was afraid of how people would react. Yet God chose him, spoke to him, and trusted him with this hard first task. Gideon obeyed, even if he did it at night. God did not wait for a perfect man from a perfect family, but worked through someone who struggled, yet listened. This encourages anyone who feels unworthy or scared that God can still work through their obedience.

Judges 6:25

¶ 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:

Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar

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Judges 6:25

¶ 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:

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Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar

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