神差遣的拯救者，往往因为听从神，以致和他们的邻舍产生磨擦。城里的人对巴力和木偶非常忠心，看到基甸拆毁巴力的坛和木偶，他们便想杀他。
这件事表明一个令人难以接受的事实：神的子民不是偶然敬拜别的神的，根据士师记和先知书所说，他们乃是经常这样做的，这差不多是习以为常的了。基甸扰乱了他们一向习惯了的信仰，城里的人便急于要治死他。
巴力会不会因他的坛被拆毁而报复呢？众人都以为他会这样做的。可是他们的假神却不会和没有能力做任何事，木头、石头、金属、甚至动物，岂能做什么事情呢？先知鄙视虚假的宗教，但这却不能阻挠以色列民把希望放在一无是处的偶像身上。
今天我们会怎样做？我们生命中有没有任何假神和献祭的坛呢？我们知道，成就、教会和社会上的地位权势、声誉好的学校、和健全的家庭，都是主的所赐的；不过，我们有没有以这些事取代神、去敬奉或把自己献给它们呢？
只有一位神是配得我们敬拜的：就是主耶稣基督；祂在十字架-最后的祭坛－上流出自己的血，为我们献上赎罪祭，让我们今天和天天都敬拜祂吧。至于别的神和他们的祭坛，他们全部都是一无是处的。
主和救主，你甘愿在残酷的十字架上为我们牺牲，我们感谢你。求你帮助我们单要敬拜你。阿们。
士师记 6:25-32
25当那夜，耶和华吩咐基甸说：“你取你父亲的牛来，就是那七岁的第二只牛，并拆毁你父亲为巴力所筑的坛，砍下坛旁的木偶。
26在这磐石上整整齐齐地为耶和华你的神筑一座坛，将第二只牛献为燔祭，用你所砍下的木偶做柴。”
27基甸就从他仆人中挑了十个人，照着耶和华吩咐他的行了。他因怕父家和本城的人，不敢在白昼行这事，就在夜间行了。
28城里的人清早起来，见巴力的坛拆毁，坛旁的木偶砍下，第二只牛献在新筑的坛上，
29就彼此说：“这事是谁做的呢？”他们访查之后，就说：“这是约阿施的儿子基甸做的。”
30城里的人对约阿施说：“将你儿子交出来，好治死他，因为他拆毁了巴力的坛，砍下坛旁的木偶。”
31约阿施回答站着攻击他的众人说：“你们是为巴力争论吗？你们要救他吗？谁为他争论，趁早将谁治死。巴力若果是神，有人拆毁他的坛，让他为自己争论吧！”
32所以当日人称基甸为耶路巴力，意思说：“他拆毁巴力的坛，让巴力与他争论。”
“Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing?” - Isaiah 44:10
The saviors God sent his people often got into trouble with their neighbors for listening to God. The townspeople were so committed to Baal and Asherah that they wanted to kill Gideon for destroying Baal’s altar and the Asherah pole.
This reveals an uncomfortable truth: God’s people didn’t worship other gods now and then. Rather, according to Judges and the Prophets, it happened regularly. It was almost normal. Because Gideon had disturbed their comfortable religion, the townspeople were eager to sacrifice him.
Would Baal avenge the destruction of his altar? The people thought so. But their false gods did not and could not do anything. What could wood, stone, precious metal, or even animals do? The prophets scorned false religions, but that didn’t stop Israel from putting their hope in good-for-nothing idols.
What do we do today? Are there any false gods and altars of sacrifice in our lives? We know that prosperity, positions of authority in church and community, good schools, and a healthy family are all gifts of the Lord. But have we worshiped or sacrificed to them in place of God?
There is only one God worthy of our worship: the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed his own blood on a cross, the final altar, as the sacrifice for our sin. Worship him today and every day. All other gods and their altars are good for nothing.
Lord and Savior, thank you for sacrificing yourself willingly for us on the cruel cross. Help us to worship you only, we pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
