Judges 2:6-23, 3:1-6
The Death of Joshua
6 When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. 7 And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. 8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. 9 And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash. 10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.
Israel’s Unfaithfulness
11 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They abandoned the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. 14 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. 15 Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm, as the Lord had warned, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress.
The Lord Raises Up Judges
16 Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 17 Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. 19 But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. 20 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, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.” 23 So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
Chapter 3
1 Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan. 2 It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before. 3 These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. 4 They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. 5 So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 6 And their daughters they took to themselves for wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are a great and mighty God who gives many chances for your people uo repent and follow you
We are so undeserving of your grace and love. Though we still slip and fall, help us to get up and continue on in our mission of serving you. Please heal our broken land. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Those that do not study history are bound to repeat its mistakes.
The last portion of the last verse in the last chapter of the book of Judges proclaims: Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.
No right. No wrong. No moral truths.
Father, may I hide your word in my heart so I will not sin against you. Forgive me, Father, for I am such a sinner, but saved by grace,
Oh Hallelujah. I am a child of God.
Amen!
Praise the lord for his mercy and grace that loves his people so much that he is willing to forgive their sins over and over. God has a plan for America in this crazy pandemic. May the love of Jesus be my focus as I walk through this day.
Judges is such a warning against leaving God out, not seeking Him in everything, and going on in our own way. He is so long suffering and forgiving, waiting for us to repent, yet sin always brings such pain and loss and shame. May I not take His grace and goodness for granted and presume upon Him !
Thank You Lord for the many times we have fallen, sinned against You repeatedly, yet we are saved by grace. Please continue to watch over us, guided and direct us always back to you. In Jesus name.Amen.
How many chances do you give? This is a testament to your faithfulness and long suffering. Father help me to see your steadfast love and take your instruction and warnings to heart.
Heavenly Father,
Your grace is sufficient but so undeserving and you continue to pour it out on us. Thank you for your love, patience and forgiveness. Jesus, we are in a mess right now and I praise you for it as you open up our eyes to continue to seek you and your will. I love how you have shared not to turn to the left or right but to look to you who holds the truth and knows the outcome. I am looking up because I know you are in control and nothing in this world is a surprise to you. Help us all keep our eyes on the prize and that is you. Thank you for the many blessings that you continue to give to this world despite our disobedience. I cannot thank you enough for your protection and goodness from the evil that is happening in this world today. You are a good good Father and looking forward to your return to rapture your people. Oh what a blessed day that is going to be. I pray these things in Jesus name. Amen
The Lord tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, If my people who are called by name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. So true today as it was in the early days of the Bible. We have to stay in prayer and remember God’s Got This! ?
Judges 2:10 And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel
My opinion this has happen in US after the Supreme Court ruled the Ten Commandments be taken out of schools and public places.
father God even though we don’t deserve it thank you for forgiving us of are sins
We must stay on the path of obedience and surrendering all to his will. Having the faith of a mustard seed, pray believing as his children that he loves us and his mercy is extended each day.
Thank Lord that your anger isn’t forever …Amen!
God is so good!!