Q5. Gideon's and His Father's Faith

[theMadJW]

Which Lord? You have 3 of Them!

[ShariRose]

Gideon's father was an idol worshipper.  Joash seemed to be supportive of his son.  Gideon's actions created problems for his dad. The community was upset.  Gideon was honoring God rather than his father. This was right. Joash protected his son and tested the gods.  "If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself ..." He allowed God to defend Himself.  Perhaps, he knew God would.

[JanSumi]

Joash has compromised, giving in to the people and thus, compromising his commitment to God. He also has not set a good example for his son, Gideon. Maybe this is why Gideon fears the townspeople because his father does as well. Gideon's action puts his father in a difficult position, in which Joash has to choose between his son and what the townspeople are demanding, and thus, between God and the gods they worship. Gideon should have considered the effect on his father, but only because we are to count the cost. However, in the end Gideon was called to obey Yahweh and no one else. Maybe God used Joash to protect Gideon. I'm not sure if Joash made his choice to save his son's life or to repent and wholly follow God, but maybe God did use Gideon to turn his father's heart back to Him. Joash does now take a stand on the side of God, which could put his own life at risk as well as his son's.