Gideon’s secretive nighttime act of tearing down his family altar wasn’t kept secret for long. He had some explaining to do. His new-found faith and courage was about to be tested.

I. Death (Judg 6:28-30). The citizens of Ophrah, and Gideon’s own family, demanded to know who destroyed their gods. Devotion to God often means family becoming enemies (Ps 41:9; Mic 7:5-6; Mt 10:35-37; Lk 12:51-53; 21:16-17), as was true of Jesus before His resurrection (Mt 6:4; Mk 3:20-21; 31-35; Jn 7:5).
Gideon’s neighbors were angry he’d destroyed their gods, while unconcerned for the worship of the true God. Giving up false traditions and worship is difficult, even when it’s known to be wrong. The Israelites were more devoted to a false god who could not see, hear, smell, speak, or help them than the true God who could do these things and much more (Deut 4:28; Ps 115:1-18; 135:13-18; Is 41:21-24; 42:6-23; Jer 10:1-6; Dan 5:23; Hab 2:18-20)! The tentacles of deception run deep in man’s mind and heart.
The people demanded justice from Gideon in the form of death, all while deserving God’s justice of death for betraying Him (Ex 20:3; Deut 13:6-15). It was much easier to accuse Gideon than to see the worse sin in themselves (Mt 7:1-6).

II. Repentance (Judg 6:30-32). Gideon’s father Joash, Baal’s priest, defended his son. God spoke directly to Gideon, so Joash said Baal could plead his own case - something a blind, mute, deaf piece of stone or tree could never do! This is much like the contention on Mount Carmel 350 years later (1 Ki 18:24-29, 36-39). If a god is unable to protect itself or plead its own case, it’s is not worthy of worship.
The change in Joash’s mind and heart is truly miraculous. In an instant, he turned from his idols to the living God. This turning was caused by a gracious gift of God, who alone changes the sin-dead human heart (Jer 24:7; Ezek 11:19; 36:26; Acts 5:31; 11:18; 16:14; Rom 2:4; 3:9-10; Eph 2:8-9; 2 Tim 2:25). The only thing a dead man can do is rot; salvation requires an act of God.
Paul wrote of the same heart-change in the Thessalonians (1 Thess 1:2-10). They were elected (chosen) by God (1 Thess 1:4), This election was as “old” as He is (2 Tim 1:9), is unconditional (Rom 9:10-13), and is from His love (Deut 7:6-8; 1 Pet 1:1-2). Election worked by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the gospel (1 Thess 1:5), so that the Thessalonian believers received the word (1 Thess 1:6) and resulted in their turning to God (repenting) and turning from idols (1 Thess 1:9). True repentance is always a turning away from one thing (sin, idols, etc) and turning toward another (God). Salvation always results in repentance, and both are grace-gifts from God.
That day, Joash changed the name of his son from Gideon to Jerubbaal, meaning let Baal plead his own case (1 Sam 12:11), a reminder of God’s might and Baal’s impotence.

III. Clothed (Judg 6:33-35). The Midianites and their allies descended into the Jezreel valley to steal the harvest, the same locale Barak defeated Sisera (Judg 4). This year was different. God’s work began in Gideon without miracles, signs, wonders, or fanfare; but definitely, quietly, and certainly.
When God calls a person to His service (Judg 6:14), He also empowers and gifts for that task. The Bible calls these charisma, graces, or spiritual gifts (Judg 6:34). The Holy Spirit came upon, literally clothed Himself on Gideon. The Holy Spirit became like a suit of clothes covering Gideon so He could do His divine work, clothing Gideon’s weakness with His presence and power. Earlier Gideon had asked, O my Lord, how can I save Israel? (Judg 6:15); he couldn’t! But God would do it through him (Judg 6:16).
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon a man, empowering him for a specific task (Ex 31:2-3; Judg 3:10; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6; 15:14, 19; 1 Sam 10:6; 11:6; 16:13-14; 1 Chron 12:18; 2 Chron 20:14; 24:20) and then would depart when the task was completed (Judg 17:21; 1 Sam 16:14; Ps 51:11). In our dispensation of grace, the Spirit forever indwells the believer (Ezek 36:27; Jn 7:38-39; 14:16-17; 15:26-27; Rom 5:5 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Gal 4:6; 2 Tim 1:14).
When the Spirit came upon Gideon, he blew a trumpet and his clan responded for war.