Definition: And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that [was] by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar [that was] built.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 6:28. It’s a really important part of understanding the story of Israel’s rebellion against God. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a dramatic and destructive event that happened when the people of Israel, led by their chief men, decided to worship other gods instead of worshipping Yahweh (God). They broke a sacred agreement with God and caused significant damage. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And when the men of the city arose early in the morning…” – This means the people were waking up and starting their day, likely preparing for a ritual or activity involving worship. “…behold, the altar of Baal was cast down…” - A “barr” (altar) is a place where people offered sacrifices to idols. The altar of Baal was a specific idol dedicated to another god. This suggests a deliberate act of defiance. “…and the grove was cut down that [was] by it…” – This refers to a large, sacred grove or area where they had planted trees and herbs. The people destroyed this grove, likely as part of their rebellion. “And the second bullock was offered upon the altar [that was] built.” - This is the crucial part. They still made a sacrifice – a bull (a sacred animal) – on the altar that had been already damaged and set up. It shows they weren’t stopping, just continuing to worship something else. What does it mean in terms of God's perspective? This verse is a clear sign of idolatry - worshipping false gods instead of the one true God. It was a serious offense against God and his laws. It demonstrates that the people were rejecting God’s authority and ignoring his instructions. Why is this important? It shows rebellion: This event highlights a significant break in Israel's relationship with God, leading to consequences for them. It’s a warning: It serves as a reminder that it’s crucial to remain faithful to the one true God and avoid idolatry. It’s a call to repentance – to turn back from evil and seek the Lord. In short, this verse is a story about a rebellion against God and the consequences of rejecting him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Give you some context about the time period in which this happened? Answer any specific questions you have about it?