Judges 2
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1Yahweh’s angel came up from Gilgal to Bochim. He said, “I brought you out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to give your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you. 2You shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You shall break down their altars.’ But you have not listened to my voice. Why have you done this? 3Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.’” 4When Yahweh’s angel spoke these words to all the children of Israel, the people lifted up their voice, and wept. 5They called the name of that place Bochim, and they sacrificed there to Yahweh. 6Now when Joshua had sent the people away, the children of Israel each went to his inheritance to possess the land. 7The people served Yahweh all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of Yahweh that he had worked for Israel. 8Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Yahweh, died, being one hundred ten years old. 9They buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath Heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash. 10After all that generation were gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them, who didn’t know Yahweh, nor the work which he had done for Israel. 11The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and served the Baals. 12They abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; and they provoked Yahweh to anger. 13They abandoned Yahweh, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. 14Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15Wherever they went out, Yahweh’s hand was against them for evil, as Yahweh had spoken, and as Yahweh had sworn to them; and they were very distressed. 16Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 17Yet they didn’t listen to their judges; for they prostituted themselves to other gods, and bowed themselves down to them. They quickly turned away from the way in which their fathers walked, obeying Yahweh’s commandments. They didn’t do so. 18When Yahweh raised up judges for them, then Yahweh was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it grieved Yahweh because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them. 19But when the judge was dead, they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them. They didn’t cease what they were doing, or give up their stubborn ways. 20Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel; and he said, “Because this nation transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to my voice, 21I also will no longer drive out any of the nations that Joshua left when he died from before them; 22that by them I may test Israel, to see if they will keep Yahweh’s way to walk therein, as their fathers kept it, or not.” 23So Yahweh left those nations, without driving them out hastily. He didn’t deliver them into Joshua’s hand.
World English Bible (public domain)
“So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he said, 'Because this people have transgressed my covenant that I commanded their fathers and have not obeyed my voice,'”
Judges 2:20
Summary
Judges chapter 2 highlights a pivotal moment in Israel's history, describing both God's faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness after the death of Joshua. The chapter opens with the angel of the Lord rebuking the Israelites for their failure to fully drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, which leads to their subsequent disobedience. The Israelites' choices result in a cycle of sin, oppression, and cries for deliverance, marking the beginning of a troubling pattern throughout the book of Judges. This cycle emphasizes the consequences of turning away from God and the need for leadership that centers on Him. The chapter further illustrates the depth of Israel's apostasy, as they begin to worship the gods of the Canaanites, abandoning the covenant established with the Lord. This disobedience invokes God's anger, leading Him to allow Israel to be oppressed by surrounding nations. However, even in their rebellion, God raises up judges to deliver them when they cry out for help, demonstrating His persistent mercy and desire for reconciliation with His people. This chapter serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God in all aspects of life, emphasizing that turning away from Him always leads to turmoil and distress. Ultimately, Judges 2 serves to set the stage for the ongoing themes of leadership, faithfulness, and the consequences of sin that will unfold throughout the remainder of the book. It reveals God's unchanging nature, as He continues to be a God who listens to His people in their time of need, despite their repeated failures. This chapter encapsulates a theological call to remember God's past acts and remain devoted to Him in an age where loyalties may easily shift and faith can falter.
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