In Judges 6, the Angel of the Lord appears and tells that Gideon will defeat the nation’s enemies. Gideon is a young man in a small clan, in a small and fragmented tribe of the Nation of Israel, and is doubtful about his ability to do what the Lord is telling him to do.
Regardless of Gideon’s lack of experience, and in spite of his doubts, he agrees. The first task that the Lord assigns him, though, is not to go out and face his enemies. Rather, it is to tear down the altar of Baal.
Baal was a false god originally worshipped by Israel’s enemies. Many in Israel found it easier to worship Baal than the real God, because Baal-worship appealed to human lust and emotions. One of those who worshipped Baal was Gideon’s father, and it was his altar that the Lord commanded be removed.
Gideon did exactly what the Lord asked. He tore down the altar, chopped off the idol, and built an altar to God on its foundation.
Before we can serve God in the way that He asks, we must be rid of the false gods in our lives. We must tear down the altars of pride and self-indulgence and chop off the idols of materialism and vanity.
If we wish to be holy as God is holy, we must solely focus on Him. Our lives are to be built on His foundation, even if it means we anger those around us for tearing down the altars of false gods.
Fear Not. Tear down the altars to the false gods and construct an altar to the holy God who created us.
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