Articles
Reading Judges
Reading Judges
The opening chapters of Judges give us a preview of the rest of the book. First, in chapter one, we see that Israel did NOT drive out all the people of the land (1:19, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33). I often wonder what their reason was for this, but then realize, there is no reason to disobey God! If they had attempted to do what God had said, He would have provided what they needed to accomplish it. They disobeyed God. (2:2).
Disobedience always brings consequences. We often fail to realize that the commandments of God are for our good and protection! By leaving the people of the land to dwell among them, they were snared into the idolatry and ungodliness of these people.
In chapter 2 and 3, we see then a cycle that is outlined.
• The people are faithful WHILE the leader / judge is alive (2:7, and 19).
• There is a generation who knows NOT the Lord (2:10; 3:6).
• They quickly corrupt themselves and turn away from God to idols when the judge dies (2:11-13, 17, 19; 3:7).
• God is Angry and allows them to be overrun by another nation / people, who subjugate and afflict them. (2:14, 20; 3:8).
• Under such affliction, they groan (2:18; 3:9)
• God, moved with pity, raises up an individual who delivers them from their oppressor (2:14-16, 18; 3:9)
• REPEAT! Repeat for all 13 judges! Time and time again!
The people of God are always one generation away from apostasy. We must teach our children to know the Lord. Israel was instructed to do this: Deut. 4:9, 6:7; 11:19; 32:46. WE are instructed to do this: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4). Failure to instruct them will result in destruction (cp. Isa. 5:13; Hosea 4:6).
Hugh DeLong
