Judges 6:31
But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.”

Malachi 4:6
And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

These are days of revival that shake a generation to its core. Deep transformation is happening in hearts, and the false altars of Baal and Asherah are coming down; and God is raising up a generation of Gideons who are encountering His presence and stepping into their call as mighty warriors!

However, there isn’t a Gideon-like revival without the protection, covering, and support of Joash; fathers of a movement.

After Gideon encounters the Angel of The Lord, and is transformed into a “mighty warrior”, he sheepishly sets out to fulfill what God told him to do. He is called to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down his Asherah pole. Apparently, Gideon’s father, who we would later learn is Joash, supports a prominent place of worship to these pagan gods, most likely on his property. It was probably Gideon’s job, as well as his other siblings, to take care of these objects of worship. The neighborhood most likely worshiped at Joash’s altars, or at least respected and esteemed the worship sites in their midst.

Although Gideon had a life-changing encounter with The Lord, he was still getting his legs underneath himself. He was timid and scared to take down these altars in front of everyone, so he tore them down during the nighttime. And when everyone woke up and saw what he did - they were furious and demanded his blood.

Enters Joash.

Joash is Gideon’s father. He obviously went along with the idol worship of the time, but when he heard the crowd demanding the life of his son, something rose to life inside of him.

We don’t know much about Joash besides that he was respected to some degree in his town. We know he was protective of his son Gideon. We know that Gideon’s act of courage and righteous rebellion awakened strength and zeal in his own heart to stand for what is right. We can see that Gideon’s boldness impacted this father into his own boldness. Gideon’s obedience to God sparked something in Joash, except Joash had the experience, strength, and status that Gideon hadn’t earned yet.

If Joash wouldn’t have supported and protected the spark inside of Gideon, there would have been no flame that roared into national awakening and reformation in Israel. The enemies of God’s people would have remained oppressing them. Joash had a pivotal role to play in what God did during that time. But the window for action was narrow. Joash couldn’t afford to miss his moment!

The Joashes of today have a vital role and amazing opportunity to stand behind the Gideons of our generation. To be stirred to boldness and conviction before it is too late. Gideon didn’t stand alone. A father, a mother, a parent in the faith stood beside him and protected him. Encouraged him. Covered him.

This is a call to the older generations of parents and grandparents; don’t just agree with the sentiment of what God is doing in America right now. Stand behind the young people who are on the front lines, fighting the devil and ushering in revival. Without your support and help, without a turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children, we won't see righteousness exalted in our nation and the glory of the Lord shining bright over America.

We need you.