Judges 6:28–32 (ESV)

When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. And they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And after they had searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.” Then the men of the town said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.” But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.” Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar.

In “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier” there’s a moment where Captain Kirk realizes that the “God” they’re dealing with isn’t who he claims to be.

The “God” says, “This starship could carry my wisdom beyond the barrier.”

But Kirk asks, “What does God need with a starship?”

Joash has a moment like that here. If Baal is who he’s supposed to be, Gideon wouldn’t have had such an easy time tearing down his altar. Baal shouldn’t need someone to help him punish Gideon either.

Somethin’ ain’t right.

Joash’s radar kicks in at just the right moment, but what’s even more impressive is that he’s able to convert the whole crowd so quickly. One moment, everyone is saying, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.”

But next thing you know it, Gideon has a new nickname of honor—Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar.

Joash’s argument has carried the day. But how? Here are the clues.

First off, we know that everyone involved is a Jew. They know the LORD, even if they think Baal is real.

Second, the altar and the Asherah belonged to Joash, even though the whole town cared about them.

Next, the line, “Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning,” is a threat, though it isn’t clear whether the threat is from Joash or from God.

Joash’s concluding line is his point. “If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.”

That’s a pretty strong argument. It feels like logic has carried the day. The townsfolk connect all the dots.

Joash backing up his logic with a threat is a nice touch though.

These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Weekend DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.