August 12

Introduction

Judges 6:28–40: Yesterday’s reading concluded with Gideon building an altar to the LORD and tearing down the altar of Baal (the Canaanite god) and the symbol of the fertility goddess Asherah. Gideon’s own family and others in the town worshiped Baal. So when the people discover what Gideon had done, they want to kill him. Gideon mobilizes the Israelites but once again seeks proof from God that he has been chosen to rescue Israel.

Today’s Key Verse: Judges 6:34a

The spirit of the LORD took control of Gideon.

Reading

²⁸ When the people in town got up early the next morning, they found that the altar to Baal and the symbol of Asherah had been cut down, and that the second bull had been burned on the altar that had been built there. ²⁹ They asked each other, “Who did this?” They investigated and found out that Gideon son of Joash had done it. ³⁰ Then they said to Joash, “Bring your son out here, so that we can kill him! He tore down the altar to Baal and cut down the symbol of Asherah beside it.”

³¹ But Joash said to all those who confronted him, “Are you arguing for Baal? Are you defending him? Anyone who argues for him will be killed before morning. If Baal is a god, let him defend himself. It is his altar that was torn down.” ³² From then on Gideon was known as Jerubbaal, because Joash said, “Let Baal defend himself; it is his altar that was torn down.”

³³ Then all the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the desert tribes assembled, crossed the Jordan River, and camped in Jezreel Valley. ³⁴ The spirit of the Lord took control of Gideon, and he blew a trumpet to call the men of the clan of Abiezer to follow him. ³⁵ He sent messengers throughout the territory of both parts of Manasseh to call them to follow him. He sent messengers to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they also came to join him.

³⁶ Then Gideon said to God, “You say that you have decided to use me to rescue Israel. ³⁷ Well, I am putting some wool on the ground where we thresh the wheat. If in the morning there is dew only on the wool but not on the ground, then I will know that you are going to use me to rescue Israel.” ³⁸ That is exactly what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the wool and wrung enough dew out of it to fill a bowl with water. ³⁹ Then Gideon said to God, “Don’t be angry with me; let me speak just once more. Please let me make one more test with the wool. This time let the wool be dry, and the ground be wet.” ⁴⁰ That night God did that very thing. The next morning the wool was dry, but the ground was wet with dew.

Reflect

What did Joash, Gideon’s father, say in defense of his son (verse 31)? By what new name was Gideon known, and what does it mean (verse 32)? In what two ways did Gideon seek to test God (verses 36–40)? What are your thoughts about his asking this of God? Have you ever felt the need to ask for a sign from God before proceeding with a task? If so, what was the circumstance?

Pray

Almighty God, forgive me when I have doubts about what you have called me to do. Strengthen me and empower me with your Spirit to do your will and to place my confidence in you. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Judges 7:1–25: Gideon defeats the Midianites.