Judges 6:28-32 Dumb Statues

 28When the men of the city got up in the morning, there was Baal’s altar torn down, with the Asherah pole cut down beside it and the second bull offered up on the newly built altar. 29“Who did this?” they said to one another.

And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”

30Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has torn down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.”

31But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.”

32So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal,g that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down Baal’s altar.

“They didn’t have a hard time figuring out who was responsible for the destruction of the altar. Gideon was found out immediately. What he did could not be hidden.” (Guzik)

“They all felt an interest in the continuance of rites in which they had often many sensual gratifications. Baal and Ashtaroth would have more worshippers than the true God, because their rites were more adapted to the fallen nature of man.” (Clarke)

“Gideon’s father made a very logical argument for preserving his son’s life. Since Baal was the offended party, he could defend himself.

i. This is similar to what happened during a great move of God in the South Seas in the 19th Century. One tribal chief was converted to Christianity and he gathered up all the idols of his people. He told the idols he was going to destroy them, and then he gave them the chance to run away. He destroyed all the ones that sat there like dumb statues.” (Guzik)

“This incident gave Gideon the nickname Jerubbaal. The name means”, (Guzik) “A man against whom Baal is to strive and contend; a title of honour.” (Trapp)

Dumb Statues

Years ago there was a business on Mt Lemmon that sold gnomes and I recall pastor Robert of Calvary Tucson preaching about their links to the occult and how every Christian should rid themselves of these “dumb statues” as they shouldn’t be in Christian homes. While cleaning the garage the other day I saw one of these on the shelf! Gnome, it’s time for the fire pit!

Do you have any “dumb statues” in your home?

Blessings 

Gideon destroying a “dumb statue”