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

The men of the city were devoted to Baal and his worship. When they saw that Baal’s altar was broken, the grove cut down, and a new altar to the Lord used for sacrifice, they treated this as a serious crime. Instead of asking whether Baal worship was wrong, they rushed to punish the one who had challenged their idol. They went to Joash and demanded that Gideon be brought out to die. This shows how deeply their hearts were tied to false worship, to the point that they were ready to kill an Israelite who had acted in line with God’s commands.

How did Joash respond when the people demanded Gideon’s death and what does it show?

Joash surprised the crowd by defending his son. Instead of handing Gideon over, he challenged their thinking. He asked if they were going to plead for Baal or try to save their god. He then said that anyone who tried to defend Baal should be put to death, and added that if Baal was really a god, he could plead for himself since his altar had been torn down. This answer both calmed the situation and mocked the idea that Baal needed human help. It suggests Joash had turned from his former support of Baal, at least enough to stand with his son and see how empty idol worship really was.

What is the meaning and significance of Gideon being called Jerubbaal?

Gideon received the name Jerubbaal on the day he tore down Baal’s altar. The name means something like “Let Baal plead” or “Let Baal contend.” The idea is that if Baal is truly a god, he can argue his own case and punish Gideon for breaking his altar. The name became a living reminder that Baal did nothing and could not strike Gideon down. Every time people used that name, it quietly pointed to the weakness of idols and the power of the Lord, who had protected Gideon and would soon use him to deliver Israel from its enemies.

What does it mean that the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon in this passage?

When the passage says the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, it means God’s Spirit filled and equipped him for the work ahead. Gideon had already obeyed God in tearing down the altar, but now the enemy armies were gathering in the valley of Jezreel. On his own, Gideon could not face such a large force. God’s Spirit clothed him with courage, strength, and zeal so he could take the lead. This is why he was able to blow the trumpet, call his clan and tribe, and then send messages to other tribes. The focus is on God’s power working through an ordinary man.

Why were the Midianites, Amalekites, and children of the east gathered in the valley of Jezreel?

These enemy groups had a pattern of coming into Israel’s land at harvest time to seize food and ruin the country’s strength. In this passage, they cross over and camp in the valley of Jezreel, which is a broad, fertile plain. It was a good place to station a large force and to collect the grain and produce they planned to take. Their presence there shows the serious threat Israel faced. At the same time, it sets the stage for God to raise up Gideon as a deliverer, once the Spirit of the Lord moves him to gather the people for battle.

Who answered Gideon’s call to fight after he blew the trumpet?

After the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, he blew a trumpet to signal the start of resistance. The clan of Abiezer, his own people, gathered around him first, even though they had just seen him tear down the local idol. Then he sent messengers through all of Manasseh, and they came too. He also sent word to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali in the north, and many from those tribes went up to join him. This shows that God not only strengthened Gideon, but also moved the hearts of others so he would not stand alone against the invading armies.

What does this passage show about confronting idols and false worship?

This passage shows that confronting idols often brings strong resistance, even from within one’s own community. Gideon obeyed God by tearing down Baal’s altar and putting up an altar to the Lord, and the people wanted him dead for it. Yet God protected him through Joash’s answer and the obvious silence of Baal, who did nothing. It also shows that real change begins close to home, as God first dealt with false worship in Gideon’s own town. The story reminds readers that idols cannot defend themselves, and that God can use one obedient person to start a wider turning back to true worship.

How can Gideon’s actions in this passage speak to believers facing pressure today?

Gideon’s story shows that obeying God may bring conflict with the values of those around you. He risked his safety by tearing down what others treasured, and they wanted him dead. Yet God both shielded him and then filled him with the Spirit for larger work. For believers today, this encourages steady obedience even when it is costly. It also reminds us that God can change hearts, as seen in Joash’s defense of his son and the support of the people who later rallied to Gideon. The power that carries the work forward does not rest in numbers or human strength, but in God’s Spirit.

Judg.6.28

Judges 6:28

KJV

¶ And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.

Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar

¶ 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:

And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

¶ And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.

And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.

And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.

Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

¶ Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.

But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

¶ And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.

And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

Cross References

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