But Joash said to all who stood against him, "Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar." But Joash said to all who stood against himIn this phrase, Joash, the father of Gideon, addresses those who are angered by the destruction of Baal's altar. The name "Joash" means "Yahweh has given," which is significant in this context as he defends the actions of his son, Gideon, who has acted under divine instruction. Historically, Joash's defense of Gideon is a pivotal moment, as it marks a shift from idolatry back to the worship of Yahweh. The phrase "stood against him" indicates a confrontation, suggesting that the community was deeply entrenched in Baal worship, which was common in the Canaanite culture surrounding Israel at the time. Would you plead Baal’s case for him?
Here, Joash challenges the people by questioning their defense of Baal. The word "plead" in Hebrew is "riyb," which means to contend or argue. Joash's rhetorical question implies that if Baal were truly a god, he would not need human defense. This highlights the impotence of idols compared to the living God of Israel. Theologically, this is a call to recognize the futility of idolatry and to return to the worship of the one true God. Would you save him?
The word "save" in Hebrew is "yasha," which is often used in the context of deliverance or salvation. Joash's question underscores the absurdity of humans attempting to save a deity, further emphasizing the powerlessness of Baal. This phrase serves as a reminder of the biblical truth that salvation and deliverance come from God alone, not from man-made idols. Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning!
Joash issues a stern warning to those who would defend Baal, stating that they would face death by morning. This reflects the seriousness of idolatry in Israel and the need for decisive action to eradicate it. The phrase "put to death" is a legal term, indicating the severity of the offense. Historically, this reflects the covenantal laws of Israel, where idolatry was a capital offense due to its threat to the community's spiritual integrity. If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself
Joash's challenge is a direct test of Baal's power. The word "contend" again is "riyb," suggesting a legal or physical struggle. This phrase is a powerful declaration of faith, asserting that a true god would not need human intervention. It echoes the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and power over false gods, as seen in other scriptural accounts like Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. with the one who has torn down his altar
The phrase "torn down his altar" refers to Gideon's act of destroying the altar of Baal, which was a bold statement against idolatry. The Hebrew word for "torn down" is "haras," meaning to demolish or destroy. This act symbolizes the breaking of Israel's covenant with Baal and the restoration of their covenant with Yahweh. Archaeologically, altars were central to worship practices, and their destruction signified a rejection of the associated deity. This phrase encapsulates the call to return to true worship and the courage required to stand against cultural and religious norms that oppose God's commandments. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoashThe father of Gideon, who defends his son’s actions against the townspeople who are angry about the destruction of Baal's altar. 2. GideonThe son of Joash, chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. He destroys the altar of Baal as commanded by God. 3. BaalA Canaanite deity whose worship had infiltrated Israel, leading them away from the worship of Yahweh. 4. The TownspeopleThe people of Ophrah who are angered by the destruction of Baal's altar and seek to punish Gideon. 5. OphrahThe location where these events take place, specifically the hometown of Gideon and his family. Teaching Points Courage in ObedienceGideon's actions demonstrate the courage required to obey God, even when it means standing against cultural norms and facing potential backlash. The Futility of IdolatryJoash's argument highlights the impotence of false gods, reminding believers of the power and sovereignty of the one true God. Defending the FaithJoash's defense of Gideon serves as an example of standing firm in faith and truth, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. God's SovereigntyThe passage underscores the belief that God is in control and that false gods cannot contend with His power. Family InfluenceJoash's support of Gideon shows the importance of family in nurturing and defending faith, encouraging believers to support one another in their spiritual journeys. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joash's response to the townspeople reflect his understanding of God's power compared to Baal's? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate courage in our faith today, similar to Gideon's actions? 3. How does the account of Gideon and Joash challenge us to confront modern-day idols in our lives? 4. What role does family play in supporting and defending our faith, as seen in Joash's defense of Gideon? 5. How can we apply the principle of God's sovereignty over false gods to situations we face in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 18Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where he challenges Baal to prove his divinity, similar to Joash's challenge. Exodus 20:3-5The commandment against idolatry, which Gideon’s actions directly support by tearing down the altar of Baal. Psalm 115:4-8A description of the futility of idols, reinforcing Joash's argument that Baal should defend himself if he is truly a god. Acts 19:23-41The riot in Ephesus over the goddess Artemis, showing the conflict between the worship of false gods and the truth of the Gospel. | Divine Mercy: its Adaptation and Sufficiency | A.F. Muir | Judges 6:7, 8, 11, 34 | | Baal's Altar Destroyed | F. Elwin. | Judges 6:25-32 | | Daring to Oppose Wrong | J. D. Jones. | Judges 6:25-32 | | Gideon's Reformation not Destructive Only | R. A. Watson, M. A. | Judges 6:25-32 | | On the Destruction of Idols | R. A. Watson, M. A. | Judges 6:25-32 | | Reform At Home | C. Leach, D. D. | Judges 6:25-32 | | Religion Judged by Results | C. Leach, D. D. | Judges 6:25-32 | | The Valorous Assault | G. A. Rogers, M. A. | Judges 6:25-32 | | The Way to Deal with Public Abuses | W. W. Duncan, M. A. | Judges 6:25-32 | | Jerubbaal, Or, is an Idol Anything? | A.F. Muir | Judges 6:31, 32 |
People Abiezer, Abiezrites, Amalek, Amalekites, Amorites, Asher, Egyptians, Ephah, Gideon, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Jezreel, Joash, Manasseh, Midianites, Naphtali, Ophrah, ZebulunPlaces Egypt, Gaza, Jezreel Valley, Jordan River, Midian, OphrahTopics Altar, Anyone, Arrayed, Attacking, Baal, Ba'al, Baal's, Breaks, Broken, Cast, Cause, Contend, Contends, Crowd, Death, Defend, Deliver, During, Fights, Hostile, Joash, Jo'ash, Morning, Plead, Pleadeth, Pulled, Pulling, Really, Replied, Save, Saviour, Someone, Stood, Torn, Trying, Whilst, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 6:25-32 8747 false gods Judges 6:30-31 5936 riots Judges 6:31-32 7312 Baal Library Gideon's Altar
'Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah- shalom [God is peace].'--JUDGES vi. 24. I need not tell over again, less vividly, the picturesque story in this chapter, of the simple husbandman up in the hills, engaged furtively in threshing out a little wheat in some hollow in the rock where he might hide it from the keen eyes of the oppressors; and of how the angel of the Lord, unrecognised at first, appeared to him; and gradually there dawned upon his mind the suspicion …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGideon's Fleece
'Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said.'-- JUDGES vi. 37. The decisive moment had come when Gideon, with his hastily gathered raw levies, was about to plunge down to the plain to face immensely superior forces trained to warfare. No wonder that the equally untrained leader's heart heat faster. Many a soldier, who will be steadfastly …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jehovam-Shalem, the Lord Send Peace. Judg 6:24
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John Newton—Olney Hymns Whether it is a Sin to Tempt God?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not a sin to tempt God. For God has not commanded sin. Yet He has commanded men to try, which is the same as to tempt, Him: for it is written (Malach. 3:10): "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in My house; and try Me in this, saith the Lord, if I open not unto you the flood-gates of heaven." Therefore it seems not to be a sin to tempt God. Objection 2: Further, a man is tempted not only in order to test his knowledge and his power, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved.
1. Connection of the previous with the four following chapters. In order to lay a proper foundation for the discussion of free will, two obstacles in the way to be removed--viz. sloth and pride. The basis and sum of the whole discussion. The solid structure of this basis, and a clear demonstration of it by the argument a majori ad minus. Also from the inconveniences and absurdities arising from the obstacle of pride. 2. The second part of the chapter containing the opinions of others. 1. The opinions …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in Scripture, from the Foundation of the World.
1. Scripture, in teaching that the essence of God is immense and spiritual, refutes not only idolaters and the foolish wisdom of the world, but also the Manichees and Anthropomorphites. These latter briefly refuted. 2. In this one essence are three persons, yet so that neither is there a triple God, nor is the simple essence of God divided. Meaning of the word Person in this discussion. Three hypostases in God, or the essence of God. 3. Objection of those who, in this discussion, reject the use of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Of the Sacraments.
1. Of the sacraments in general. A sacrament defined. 2. Meaning of the word sacrament. 3. Definition explained. Why God seals his promises to us by sacraments. 4. The word which ought to accompany the element, that the sacrament may be complete. 5. Error of those who attempt to separate the word, or promise of God, from the element. 6. Why sacraments are called Signs of the Covenant. 7. They are such signs, though the wicked should receive them, but are signs of grace only to believers. 8. Objections …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 6:31 NIVJudges 6:31 NLTJudges 6:31 ESVJudges 6:31 NASBJudges 6:31 KJV
Judges 6:31 Commentaries
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