Judges Chapter 2
Chapter 2 is a synopsis of the actions of Israel both prior to the time of the judges and during those 340 some years. This synopsis begins while Joshua is still alive and shows us that even though the people said they were committed to keeping God’s commandments, in their heart of hearts they really wanted to do what pleased themselves.
Numbers 33:55 But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.
There are several mentions in the Old Testament of the Angel of the Lord. In many instances, Bible scholars believe this to be a reference to the pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. This makes sense because we know that Jesus is also eternal. In this particular instance the passage talks about the Angel of the Lord being present when He brought them up from Egypt. Jesus in a human form was talking with the people of Israel and reminding them of what He had done for them and how they had failed to remain loyal to Him.
Let's Reflect
1. What was the initial reaction of the people when they realized their sin of disloyalty to God had been found out?
“The tear is the natural drop of moisture and soon evaporates; the better thing is the inward torrent of grief within the soul, which leaves the indelible mark within…. One grain of faith is better than a gallon of tears. A drop of genuine repentance is more precious than a torrent of weeping.” [Spurgeon]
2. The initial reaction of the people seemed genuine in their outcry to repent. Humans can be genuine in their desire to repent and please the Lord, but it can be shallow, because they have not truly torn their own heart so as to truly repent (change). They will often return to that same sin. We know this was the case with Israel based on the book of Judges. Verses 11 and 12 tell us exactly what sin they kept committing. What was it?
3. We can look back to the last chapters of the book of Joshua and see that the people made a commitment to follow hard after God. According to verses 6-10 of this chapter the people did follow after God, for a time. What was it that caused the people to follow after God according to these verses?
4. In contrast to verses 6-10 what did the Angel of the Lord say that the people had done according to verse 2?
5. What was the result of their disobedience according to verse 14?
6. The Angel of the Lord even told them what would become of them if they continued in this sin. What was the spiritual condition of the people as described at the end of verse 15?
7. God in His goodness raised up judges who would be men pointing the people to the way of righteousness and saving them from those who meant to do them harm. According to verse 17 how would the people respond to these judges sent by God?
8. Verses 18-23 describe a pattern of the people being rescued by God through a judge that He raised up. The people would temporarily follow God because of the leadership of that judge but then go right back to their old ways once that judge was no longer in the picture. Do you find yourself spiritually seeking after God only on Sundays when you hear the preacher in the pulpit and it stirs your heart? Or are you seeking to grow closer in your pursuit of a close and intimate relationship with Jesus every single day of your life?
