Explore the Bible By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
REBELLION’S CYCLE
Judges 2:11–19
This week we transition from the period of a single leader, Joshua, to multiple leaders ruling over Israel. The record is not clear whether all the named judges of the book ruled over all the tribes sequentially or whether they were concurrent. Though the judges did not rule Israel until this new era in Israel’s history, they had been established at the beginning of the exodus according to Jethro’s counsel (Ex. 18:13–26).
Throughout the history of the judges, we encounter an ongoing cycle — perhaps better described as a sin wave — of highs and lows, with the character of the judges serving as a barometer of the spiritual climate of Israel’s tribes. Peace brings on material prosperity and contentment. Prosperity leads to self-reliant pride. Pride invites internal and external problems. Problems drive them to their knees in prayer. Pitiful prayer brings provision of a deliverer, though their hearts are not subject to God. This provision leads to peace with their neighbors. This continuing cycle rolls through the book.
Abandonment (11–13)
Israel abandoned Yahweh and turned their attention and affections toward the fertility deities of the Canaanites. They observed that their neighbors worshipped gods and goddesses in order to ensure fertile women, fertile livestock and fertile lands. Then the Israelites joined them in worship of the idols. This likely included participating in the sexual rites forbidden by God in the law (Lev. 18). The very idolatry that Joshua warned their fathers about became a part of their lives (Josh. 24:20). They invited God’s wrath upon themselves. Every generation who abandons the Word and will of God asks for God’s judgment.
Oppression (14–15)
In these verses we are introduced to unnamed marauders who raided and defeated the Israelites. This was the first of many occurrences in which they fell into enemy hands because of their abandonment of the covenant. Each time they rejected Him, God brought judgment. With each judgment they were broken and, in desperation, they called upon the Lord. When they cried out to Him, God raised up deliverers.
No Repentance (16–19)
Out of compassion and pity, God delivered Israel. Again and again, the Lord showed compassion for His covenant people, saving them though they were unrepentant. This should serve as a reminder to us of the hardness of our own hearts: “God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
Judges 2:17–19 reads: “They did not listen to their judges … they quickly turned away from the way of their fathers … they did not do as their fathers did. … Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, going after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn from their evil practices or their obstinate ways.” Israel was fully aware of their past. They had seen the examples of their parents who honored the Word of the Lord. This generation simply chose to fit in with the Canaanites, honoring their neighbor’s practices rather than living a separated life of faith and obedience in the one true God.
Every generation and the people of that generation are accountable to God. Each one must come to a crisis of faith: What do I really believe? Why do I believe it? Where do I fit in? Do I live for God, for myself or for someone else? The Israelites followed their own way rather than God’s way.
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