Because the Israelites turned away from God, they were oppressed by the Midianites for seven years. The people hid in mountain caves. One day, Gideon was secretly threshing wheat in a winepress to hide from the Midianites. The LORD's angel appeared to him and called him a mighty warrior. Gideon was confused and asked God why He allowed such suffering. God sent Gideon to save Israel. Gideon thought he was too insignificant, but God promised to be with him. Gideon offered a sacrifice, and fire rose from the rock and burned up the offering. Then he built an altar and called it The LORD Is Peace. That night, God told Gideon to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it, then use that wood to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. Gideon did this at night. When the townspeople found out, they wanted to kill him, but his father Joash stood up and defended him.
Gideon thought his family was the weakest and he himself was the least important, but God called him a mighty warrior. God called Gideon to first tear down his father's Baal altar, then lead the Israelites into battle. The first step in following God is often to remove the idols in our lives. Don't look at your own shortcomings—look at how great the God who called you really is.
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