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.
Joash said to everyone who was angry with him, 'Are you going to defend Baal? Are you going to rescue him? Anyone who defends him should be killed before morning! If he's really a god, let him defend himself, since someone has torn down his altar.'
Joash is boldly challenging the people by saying that if Baal is truly a god, he should be able to defend himself without human help.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole in his father Joash's town, following God's command. The townspeople were furious and wanted to kill Gideon for this act of defiance against their pagan gods. Joash, surprisingly, defended his son by challenging the power of Baal itself.
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