How does building an altar to God reflect our commitment to Him today? Context of Judges 6:26 “ ‘Build an altar to the LORD your God on top of this stronghold, in the proper arrangement. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering, using the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.’ ” (Judges 6:26) Gideon must: • Tear down his father’s altar to Baal. • Use the idol’s wood for fuel. • Build a new, properly arranged altar to the LORD and present a costly sacrifice. The scene spotlights exclusive loyalty, visible obedience, and wholehearted surrender. Altars in Scripture: A Consistent Picture of Commitment • Noah – Genesis 8:20: first act after the flood was worship. • Abraham – Genesis 22:9: readiness to give up what he loved most. • Moses – Exodus 17:15: named “The LORD is My Banner,” declaring trust after battle. • Joshua – Joshua 8:30–31: built on Mount Ebal, grounding the nation in covenant law. • Elijah – 1 Kings 18:30–39: repaired the ruined altar to display God’s reality. Common threads: elimination of rival worship, public acknowledgment of God’s supremacy, and personal cost. Why Gideon’s Altar Matters for Us Today • Exclusive allegiance – just as Gideon toppled Baal, we reject modern idols (Colossians 3:5). • Visible testimony – the new altar sat “on top of the stronghold,” unmistakable to the town (Matthew 5:14–16). • Orderly obedience – “in the proper arrangement” points to God-given patterns, not self-styled spirituality (John 14:21). • Costly sacrifice – a prized bull and valuable wood; our lives are now the offering (Romans 12:1). Translating Altars into Everyday Life 1. Clear away competing “shrines” • Entertainment, career, relationships, or habits that claim first place. • Replace them with practices that honor God—time in the Word, service, generosity. 2. Build visibly and intentionally • Family worship in the home—unashamed, consistent. • Church involvement that is faithful and accountable (Hebrews 10:24–25). 3. Offer what costs us something • Material resources (Proverbs 3:9). • Time and convenience (Ephesians 5:15–16). • Personal ambitions laid on the altar (Luke 9:23). 4. Arrange life according to God’s pattern • Holiness: 1 Peter 1:16. • Love: 1 Corinthians 13. • Truth: 2 Timothy 3:16–17. Practical Steps to “Build” Today • Identify one idol to topple this week; replace it with a concrete act of obedience. • Set a fixed, non-negotiable daily slot for worship like Daniel’s windows-open prayer (Daniel 6:10). • Dedicate a portion of income before other expenses, echoing Proverbs 3:9. • Serve in a ministry area that stretches comfort zones, mirroring Gideon’s night mission (Judges 6:27). • Share a testimony of God’s work publicly, turning personal experience into a “visible altar.” Living Altars: Ongoing Scriptural Reminders • Hebrews 13:15–16: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise… And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” • 1 Peter 2:5: “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” • Psalm 51:17: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” In every age, an altar—whether of uncut stones or surrendered hearts—signals that God alone rules, receives our best, and directs every detail of life. |
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