God’s ultimate assignment for Gideon was to deliver the children of Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. We notice that God’s engagement is procedural, progressive, and cumulative. Gideon was not going to get to that place of ultimate assignment without first taking care of some fundamentals. The fundamental step was for him to destroy a particular altar of Baal and the wooden image beside it. The altar was raised by his father and had become some form of rallying point for the entire household. Following in the spirit of our previous meditation, we can identify the altar and the wooden image as Gideon’s family tradition. That tradition had no place in the new life and task to which Gideon had been recruited. While he was willing to obey the Lord, he had his fears. He was wary of what his father’s household could do to him; so he executed the instructions of the Lord at night.
” What makes a true believer is that one’s worldview has been reviewed and restructured by the word of God.”
In Gideon’s story is found a major challenge believers often face when dealing with unwholesome human traditions. Fear is always a besetting factor when it comes to traditions. There are custodians of these traditions who are willing to defend them almost with the last drop of their blood. Some defend it for the same reason believers are shy away from confronting it – fear! Some custodians of traditions think if they neglect to carry out certain customs, they may be overtaken by some mysterious ills. Others defend traditions because it is their means of livelihood. Whatever reason they advance to protect vain traditions, believers must never be afraid to confront what has no basis in scriptures. What makes a true believer is that one’s worldview has been reviewed and restructured by the word of God. If you find yourself having to confront ungodly traditions, never be afraid. The battle is the Lord’s and He will defend you.