Remember in yesterday’s TD, Gideon said, "If God is with us, why has all this happened to us?" Now you can’t just ask a question like that and not expect God to respond. So Gideon gets a wake up call from God that went something like this—"HEY big guy and mighty Gideon you go and save Israel!" 

Gideon: "Uh, I’m kind of a small guy and my clan is the smallest clan—remember?"

God: "Well guess what? I am sending you! I will be with you—ME, God, the great I AM! And you will kill those numbskulls.

Gideon: "Woah, hold on. Is this really you God? Did you forget who I am? I am going to need a sign that this little conversation is really happening. Can you just slow down? Can we do this the old way where I go get an offering and . . .? I’ll be right back.

So Gideon left. He came back with a slab of meat and some bread. The next thing Gideon know there is a heavenly BBQ going on.

God is smiling: "How’s that for a sign?"

Gideon: "WOW! It really is you!"

God: "You should see how I cook for 10,000 angels. Gideon, listen to me. You know your father,"

Gideon’s heart dropped at the mention of his father. His hands begin to sweat.

God continues, "he has some bulls. I want you to take one of his best bulls."

Gideon’s heart is pounding, "What? My father would—"

God: "Do not forget who I Am. Take one of his bulls. Then go to his alter and tear it down—destroy it. And while you are there destroy that pole that he thinks will protect him and bring him luck.

Gideon is just pacing back and forth in unbelief.

God continues, "After you tear that junk down. Build a real alter to Me! Then take the wood of that pole place it on the alter and burn it! Then slice open your fathers bull as an offering to me.

Gideon is speechless. His mind racing with thoughts of his father pouring out his wrath. What will the people think? How can I do this? Who am I? His fear of his father and the people was overwhelming so he decided to obey but at night.

In the morning everyone saw the new alter. There was a shake down and Gideon was found guilty.

The people demanded that Joash, Gideon’s father, "Bring out your son. We are going to kill him for this."

Joash defends his son: "Can’t this god, our god Baal defend himself."

The people gathered from all over the east to prepare for battle. They were waiting for a sign from there god.

Meanwhile Gideon is freaking out and asks God for yet another sign! Tomorrow we will look at that.

Today think about this: Gideon an ordinary guy with fears of people, fears of his father—obeys God. Even though he ran around during the night—he obeyed God. 

God is going to call you to do things that you might see as crazy but will you obey or not?

Here is the actual account of Gideon’s encounter with God out of Judges 6:13-32.