DO NOT BYPASS THE ALTAR

“…tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it; and build an altar to the Lord you God on top of this rock in the proper arrangement, and take the second bull and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the image which you shall cut down.”—Judges 6:25-26

Gideon was a man mightily used of God.  He took three hundred men and defeated an army that numbered in the millions.  Although it was one of the greatest military victories in the history of Israel, and Gideon was called a “mighty man of valor” by the angel, he certainly did not start out with a good self-image and confidence.  In fact, Gideon saw himself as the least in his father’s house and part of the weakest clan.  Gideon, like his fellow country-men, was walking in fear.  Fear of the very people God had told them that they were to defeat. 

 

The Midianites raided Israel each year, plundering their crops and goods.  Whenever Israel resisted, the Midianites drove them into the hills and mountains.  God’s people ended up seeking refuge in caves and dens, and having to scavenge for food.  Before God sent a deliverer to Israel, he sent a prophet who put his finger on the problem.  In essence he said, “I made it clear to you from the very beginning: you are not to fear anyone but your heavenly Father.  Let no other fear enter you heart.  But you have disobeyed me once again.  You have allowed all kinds of fears to enter in.  And you have forced me to hand you over to your enemy, to drive you back to me” (Judges 6:8-10). 

In Judges 10, we see that God’s people admitting to this sin: “The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, we have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim” (vs. 10). 

The word Balaam is a plural form.  It denotes all the false gods in the world.  The root of Balaam is Baal, which we recognize from Scripture as a demonic spirit.  Baal’s mission is to rob God of all worship and trust by his people.  It accomplishes this by focusing our attention on our circumstances rather than on the Lord.  In the Old Testament, Baal was represented by a carved idol, made of wood, stone or metal.  It was formed into the image of a man and has a powerful spirit behind it.  This same spirit is at work in the world today.  It is sent forth from hell for one purpose: to cause people to doubt the reality of God.  It is a spirit of unbelief that assaults our minds with doubts about God’s faithfulness. 

Gideon was given instructions to tear down and completely destroy the altar his father had built to Baal (the symbol of unbelief), and to build a new altar to the Lord.  The altar of the Lord is built upon faith and trust that God is who He says that He is and that He will do what He says that He will do.  Gideon took his father’s bull to pull down the altar; however, today you have the Holy Spirit’s power and strength to pull down every thought of doubt, fear and worry.

Prayer—Father I repent for allowing fear to motivate me and hold me in bondage.  I ask for the help of the Holy Spirit so that I my focus can be upon you, in Jesus Name. Amen.