“And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.”
Context:The Book of Judges chronicles a tumultuous period in the history of Israel when they were ruled by various judges whom God raised up to deliver them from their oppressors.
In this particular verse, we find the story of Gideon, one of the judges whom God chose to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites.
Background:The Israelites had fallen into idolatry and were being oppressed by the Midianites due to their disobedience to God. Gideon, a young man from the tribe of Manasseh, was called by God to lead the Israelites in their deliverance.
Joash’s Challenge:Joash, Gideon’s father, confronted the people who were opposing Gideon’s actions. He questioned their loyalty to Baal, a false god, and challenged them to let Baal defend himself if he truly was a god. Joash declared that anyone who stood up for Baal should be put to death.
The Destruction of Baal’s Altar:Prior to this confrontation, Gideon had destroyed the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah pole, both of which were objects of idolatrous worship. Gideon carried out this act under God’s command to demonstrate Israel’s need to turn back to the true God and abandon their idolatry.
Faith in God’s Power:Joash’s words expressed a strong faith in the power of the true God and questioned the worthiness of Baal. By challenging Baal’s supporters to let him defend himself, Joash emphasized the futility of worshiping a powerless deity.
Symbolism:The destruction of Baal’s altar and the subsequent challenge to Baal’s supporters symbolize the call for Israel to turn away from false gods and return to the worship of the one true God. It demonstrated that God alone had the power to defend and save His people.
Lessons for Today:The story of Gideon and the confrontation with Baal’s worshippers in this verse teaches us several valuable lessons. It reminds us of the importance of worshiping the one true God and not putting our trust in idols or false gods. It encourages us to have faith in God’s power and to rely on Him for deliverance in times of trouble. It also teaches us the importance of taking a stand for what is right, even if it means facing opposition. Overall, Judges 6:31 highlights the clash between true worship and idolatry, urging us to choose wholehearted devotion to God and to trust in His power and deliverance.
