Worshiping at a New Altar

Judges 6:1-32

INTRODUCTION: When believers live in a world controlled by those who lack the fear and love of God, two options exist: 1.) to stand up and stand out against the ungodliness so prevalent in the society, or 2.) adapt and assimilate. It appears that Israel had done the latter and the results were a nation void of fellowship with the very God who redeemed them.

I. THE CONDITIONS OF A TROUBLED PEOPLE (Judges 6:1-6)

A. The Presence of Fear (Judges 6:1-2)

1. A people delivered into the hands of the Midianites (Judges 6:1)
2. A people dwelling in fear (Judges 6:2)

B. The Loss of Prosperity (Judges 6:3-6)

1. A loss of crops (Judges 6:3-4)
2. A loss of livestock (Judges 6:4)
3. A loss of land (Judges 6:5-6)

II. THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF A TROUBLED PEOPLE (Judges 6:7-24)

A. The Cause of Trouble (Judges 6:7-10)

1. Forgetfulness of the past (Judges 6:7-9)
a. Deliverance from Egypt (Judges 6:7-9)
b. Victory in Canaan (Judges 6:9)
2. Disobedience (Judges 6:10)
a. The Lord said, “fear not the gods of the Amorites”.
b. The people did not obey God’s voice.

B. The Call in Trouble (Judges 6:11-24)

1. The search for a man (Judges 6:11-12)
a. The angel chose the place (Judges 6:11)
b. The angel chose the man (Judges 6:12)
2. The search for God (Judges 6:13-24)
a. The man questioned the Lord (Judges 6:13)
b. The Lord called the man (Judges 6:14)
c. The uncertainty of the man (Judges 6:15-23)
d. The worship of the man (Judges 6:24)

III. THE SOLUTION FOR A TROUBLED PEOPLE (Judges 6:25-26)

A. A Note About Altars

1. Closeness to God is often accompanied by the presence of an altar (Genesis 8:20; Genesis 12:7-8; Genesis 13:4; Genesis 26:25; Genesis 35:1, 3, 7).
2. Three elements of importance exist as it pertains to altars and worship
a. A sanctified altar
b. A sanctified giver
c. A sanctified gift

B. Throw Down Existing Altars (Judges 6:25)

1. The immediacy of the act – “the same night”
2. The extent of the act
a. Throw down the altar of Baal
b. Cut down the grove that is by it
3. The personal attachment of the act – “that thy father hath”

C. Erect an Altar for the Lord (Judges 6:26)

1. The immediacy of the act – “And” signifying a continuation of the previous message
2. The extent of the act
a. Upon the top of this rock
b. In the ordered place
3. The personal attachment of the act – “Take thy father’s young bullock” (Judges 6:25)

IV. THE BACKLASH OF A TROUBLED PEOPLE (Judges 6:27-32)

A. A Fearful Servant (Judges 6:27)

1. Fearful of family and friends
2. Obedient by night

B. An Angry Mob (Judges 6:28-32)

1. Not the Midianites, but the people of God
2. Angry because of the destruction of the altar of Baal

CONCLUSION: If we are ever going to get things right with the Lord we are going to have to tear down some of the altars we have built in the name of assimilation!