09: Jerub Baal keeps asking signs (Judges 6:25 – 40)

Gideon’s first mission was to tear down Baal and Asherah. Thus, he got another name: Jerub Baal. His habit of asking for signs continues. 

Read Judges 6:25 - 40

Q1. That same (        ), the Lord appeared to Gideon and instructed him to destroy the altar of (       ) and the Asherah pole beside it. He was to offer a burnt offering of a (         ) bull on a newly built altar to the Lord. However, Gideon was (         ) to carry out the task during the day, so he waited until (       ).

That same ( night ), the Lord appeared to Gideon and instructed him to destroy the altar of ( Baal ) and the Asherah pole beside it. He was to offer a burnt offering of a ( seven-year-old ) bull on a newly built altar to the Lord. However, Gideon was ( too afraid ) to carry out the task during the day, so he waited until ( nighttime ).

The Lord commanded this on the night of the day He had appeared. 

In the Old Testament, strongholds were often built on hilltops, mountain peaks, rocky cliffs, or in caves for natural defense, as well as within fortified cities like Jerusalem and Jericho. The Following picture is an aerial view of ancient Tel Megiddo Israel, Jezreel (Armageddon) Valley. Gideon and his family likely lived in a place similar to these strongholds, due to the constant threat of the Midianites, just as Judges 6:2 says.

They had the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole in that stronghold. It shows how desperately they relied on Baal and Asherah for their protection. 

Q2. How could Gideon be saved from angry neighbors and relatives? What was another name of Gideon?

His father defended him saying, “If Baal really is a god, let him fight his own battles!” Jerub Baal became another name for Gideon.

The Bible doesn’t clarify why the Lord ordered this. But it says the order was given on the day the Lord commissioned Gideon. Also, Gideon was so afraid of the people that he couldn’t do it in daylight. And, at the end of this episode (25 – 32), the name, Jerub Baal, was given to Gideon. Therefore, the text focuses on Giden, not on the issue of idolatry. If we interpret this episode (Judges 6:25–32) as part of Gideon’s calling narrative, we conclude that God arranged for the name Jerub-Baal to be given to Gideon when He gave him this first mission. God's practice of assigning a new name when commissioning His servant is common throughout the Bible, as seen with Abraham, John the Baptist, and Peter.

Then, why did the Lord give Gideon the name “Contender with Baal”? What was Gideon’s weakness? Gideon relied on human factors (15), sought visible signs (17), and feared human threats (27). 

Whenever the name Jerub-Baal was called, it warned Gideon against the materialistic worldview that Baal's theology promoted. The name reminded Gideon of his mission to fight against idolatry and dependency on images. He needed to demonstrate his allegiance to the Lord by destroying the Baal and Asherah idols his father had sponsored in their town. In doing so, he also removed the possibility of relying on Baal. 

One of the underlying themes in the continuing story (the battle of the 300 warriors and the pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna) is the spirit of the "one who fights against Baal," which is about trusting in God's Word rather than relying on visible images or signs. 

Joash’s words helped awaken the people’s minds to realize that Baal was nothing more than stone or wood, strengthening their resolve to follow God’s direction in battle.

Offering a seven-year-old bull to the Lord was a symbolic act of humiliation for Baal, as the bull was an image representing Baal’s fertility and strength.

Q3. When the Lord’s spirit encouraged Gideon to muster the army against the Midianites, Gideon asked twice for confirmation sign of victory. What was the sign he asked? What verses allure his lack of faith? 

Dew only on the fleece, and the opposite the next day. 

In verse 14, God said, “Deliver Israel. Have I not sent you?” and Gideon recognized it as God’s promise, as seen in verse 36. However, despite knowing God’s word, he still asked for a confirmation sign, and in His grace, God answered. 

Yet, this doesn’t commend Gideon’s attitude as an example for us to follow. Later, he created a golden ephod, which became an idol, showing that he continued relying on visible signs rather than trusting God’s promise.

It’s also interesting that the tribe of Issachar is not mentioned in this narrative, even though their territory was in the same region.

Though the spirit behind the name Jerub-Baal stands against visible images, Gideon continued to seek tangible signs. We do the same—though we bear the name, "the temple of God’s Spirit," we often rely on the senses of our flesh. Just as the Lord trained and used Gideon for His purposes, He will also discipline and use us as He accomplishes His work through us.