Judges 6:29

And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

Judges 6:29 (KJV)

Context

This verse sits within Gideon’s story. God chose him to rescue Israel from the Midianites. The people had turned from the Lord to worship Baal. At God’s command, Gideon tore down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it, then built an altar to the Lord and offered a sacrifice (Judges 6:25-28). He acted at night because he feared his family and the townspeople. Now, in the morning, the men of the city discover what has happened and ask who was responsible.

Meaning

The question “Who hath done this thing?” reveals shock and alarm, not admiration. Destroying an idol altar was a serious crime in their eyes. The verse says they “enquired and asked,” meaning they investigated carefully until they found the truth. Their search led to Gideon, the son of Joash. This public discovery exposed his secret act of obedience. What he had done in the night was now known to everyone.

Biblical connections

Gideon’s act directly challenged the idolatry that had corrupted Israel. The people treated Baal’s altar as sacred, but God commanded that He alone be worshipped. Gideon’s obedience set him against his own community and household, since Joash, his father, likely owned that altar. The next verses show the danger: the men demand that Joash bring out his son to die, and Joash answers that if Baal is a god, he can defend himself (Judges 6:30-31). This connection shows that true obedience to God often brings conflict with human traditions and family ties.

Application

Gideon’s example teaches that obedience to God may require personal risk. He could have stayed silent, but he chose to follow God’s command. We may face pressure to conform to society or family expectations. This verse calls us to examine our hearts and remove anything that takes God’s place, whether a habit, possession, or relationship. Such removal is not easy, but it is necessary for faithful discipleship. The townspeople’s careful investigation also reminds us that our actions, even those done in secret, will eventually become known. God sees what we do, and He can bring our obedience into the light for His purposes.

Reflection

Gideon’s obedience sparked controversy, but it also set the stage for God’s deliverance of Israel. When we obey God, we may not see immediate results, but we can trust that He will defend His cause. The same God who empowered Gideon can strengthen us to stand against idolatry and fear. Let us ask Him for courage to obey, even when it costs us, and for faith to believe that He will bring good out of our faithful acts.