This is one of the most important features of the story: what is not told. The fact that nothing is said of the outcome proclaims: the whole incident obviously came to nothing; of course it did. Baal, as an idol, can do nothing; whatever consequence the villagers may have expected was just superstition. In this silence we hear the mocking laughter of the author and, ultimately, of God (compare Psalm 2:4). As the Lord had assigned Gideon to save Israel from the Midianites, he protected him for that purpose.
32 Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar.