God's Blessing

Judges 2 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

1 Now the angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, “I brought you up from Egypt and brought you into the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you,
2 And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?
3 So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”
4 When the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the people of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept.
5 And they called the name of that place Bochim. And they sacrificed there to the Lord.
6 And 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.
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.
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.
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.

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The True Meaning of Judges 2

The Book of Judges was written by an unknown author, likely a prophet or scribe, who chronicled the history of the Israelites after the death of Joshua. This chapter marks a turning point, as the Israelites begin to stray from the path set by their ancestors. The consequences of the Israelites’ disobedience and their failure to fully drive out the inhabitants of the land are seen in this passage. The angel of the Lord appears to the people, rebuking them for their lack of faith and their compromise with the surrounding nations. This sets the stage for the tumultuous period of the Judges, where the Israelites will repeatedly fall into sin, only to be delivered by a series of divinely appointed leaders.

The themes of this chapter echo the warnings found in Deuteronomy, where Moses cautioned the people against intermarrying with the Canaanites and worshiping their gods (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). The author of Judges reminds the readers of the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience, a lesson that will be played out repeatedly throughout the book.

Judges 2:1-5

The messenger of the Lord in Judges 2:1-5 reminds the Israelites about God’s faithfulness and the covenant He made with them, commanding them to not make a covenant with the people of the land where they were dwelling, but to break down their altars. This section emphasizes the importance of obeying God’s commands and staying faithful to Him alone. God had specifically instructed the Israelites not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the land because He knew that the people and their gods would lead them astray from worshipping Him alone. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, highlighting the significance of loyalty and obedience to God’s word.

The second section of the verse warns against the dangers of intermarriage with the local inhabitants, as this would lead the Israelites to serve the gods of those nations and ultimately turn away from their God. Intermarriage with people from other cultures often led to a syncretism of religions, where the Israelites would start adopting the practices and beliefs of foreign deities. This dilution of faith was a persistent challenge for the Israelites throughout their history, contributing to their spiritual downfall and leading to consequences such as idol worship and God’s discipline.

The subsequent part mentions Israel weeping and offering sacrifices, symbolizing their repentance and desire to turn back to God after hearing the words of the messenger. This shows that despite their repeated disobedience, God remained willing to forgive them when they repented and sought Him earnestly. This aspect of God’s character – His patience, forgiveness, and readiness to restore His relationship with His people upon their repentance – is a foundational aspect of God’s interactions with humanity throughout the Bible. It signifies the enduring nature of God’s love and grace towards His people, despite their shortcomings and unfaithfulness.

Lastly, the verse discusses the naming of the place where this occurred as “Bochim,” which means weepers. The naming of a place in the Bible often served as a reminder or memorial of significant events that took place there. “Bochim” served as a constant reminder to the Israelites of the consequences of their disobedience and the need for sincere repentance and commitment to God in this case. It became a symbol of the cycle of sin, repentance, and renewal that characterized the Israelites’ relationship with God throughout the period of the judges in the Old Testament. Judges 2:1-5 carries enduring lessons about the importance of faithfulness, obedience, repentance, and the consequences of straying from God’s commands. It underscores the need for believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to God, to guard against influences that can lead them away from Him, and to always seek forgiveness and restoration through genuine repentance. The events and messages in this passage serve as a timeless reminder for readers of the Bible to prioritize their relationship with God above all else and to remain faithful to Him in all circumstances.

Judges 2:6-10

The verse in Judges 2:6-10 divides into two main sections – the description of the generation that followed Joshua and the subsequent actions of the new generation.

The first section begins with the passing of Joshua, the leader who had succeeded Moses in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. The verse mentions that after Joshua died, the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord by turning away from Him and worshiping other gods, specifically the Baals. This departure from faithfulness to God marked the beginning of a downward spiral for the Israelites.

This shift in allegiance from God to idols was a recurring theme in the history of the Israelites. Throughout the Old Testament, the people struggled to remain faithful to the covenant they had made with God. The consequences of their disobedience were severe, often leading to periods of oppression and suffering at the hands of their enemies.

The second section describes how the new generation did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel. This lack of knowledge and understanding of their history and God’s faithfulness to their ancestors contributed to their disobedience. The verse further reveals that the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.

This cycle of disobedience, followed by oppression, repentance, and deliverance, is a recurring pattern throughout the book of Judges. The period of the judges was characterized by a constant cycle of sin, judgment, repentance, and salvation. The Israelites would turn away from God, fall into the hands of their enemies, cry out to God for help, and He would raise up a judge to deliver them.

The significance of these verses lies in their reminder of the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and staying true to Him. The consequences of forgetting God and turning to idols are dire. The Israelites’ disobedience serves as a cautionary tale for believers today to remain steadfast in their faith and to not waver in their commitment to God. Judges 2:6-10 highlights the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining faithful to God. It serves as a reminder for us to learn from the mistakes of the past and to always remember God’s faithfulness throughout history. The story of the Israelites in Judges serves as a timeless lesson for believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else.

Judges 2:11-15

The passage in Judges 2:11-15 highlights the behavior of the Israelites after the death of Joshua. It states, “Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.” This sets the tone for a recurring cycle seen throughout the book of Judges where the Israelites repeatedly turn away from God, fall into sin and idolatry, face consequences, cry out for help, are delivered by a judge or leader, and then the cycle repeats.

The mention of the Baals refers to the Canaanite gods worshipped by the people living in the Promised Land, which God had specifically warned the Israelites against. The Israelites’ disobedience to God’s commands and their turning to false gods serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of straying from the path set by the Lord.

This pattern of sinful behavior leading to consequences is a common theme seen throughout the Bible, emphasizing the need for steadfast obedience and loyalty to God. It demonstrates the importance of remaining faithful to God’s commands and the dangers of turning to idols or other gods. The repercussions of the Israelites’ actions will manifest in the form of oppression and turmoil, as we see in the subsequent verses in Judges.

The narrative in Judges 2:11-15 sets the stage for the cycle of apostasy, judgment, and deliverance that characterizes the period of the judges. Despite God’s faithfulness and continued provision, the Israelites repeatedly stray from Him, leading to their own downfall. This serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining faithful to God throughout our lives.

Reflecting on this passage, it prompts us to examine our own lives and ensure that we are not falling into the same pattern of disobedience as the Israelites. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, holding fast to the truth of God’s word and resisting the temptation to turn to idols or worldly desires. Through obedience and submission to God, we can avoid the pitfalls of sin and experience the blessings of walking in His ways.

Judges 2:16-19

The verse in Judges 2:16-19 can be broken down into several important sections that carry significant messages in the context of the book of Judges.

  1. “Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.”
    This section highlights the cyclical nature of the Israelites’ relationship with God throughout the book of Judges. The Israelites would turn away from God, worship idols and stray from His commandments. Their enemies would oppress them as a result. God raised up judges, like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson, in response to their cries for help, to deliver them from their enemies. This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance is a recurring theme in Judges, showing God’s faithfulness to His people even when they repeatedly disobey Him. This also serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of repentance.

  2. “Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the Lord’s commands.”
    This section emphasizes the Israelites’ propensity to continue in their sinful ways despite God’s deliverance. Despite the judges’ efforts to lead them back to God, the Israelites chose to follow after false gods and engage in idolatry. This disobedience not only led them away from God but also caused them to deviate from the faithfulness of their ancestors who had followed the Lord’s commands. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual apathy and the consequences of straying from God’s ways. It underscores the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and obedience to God’s commandments, as seen in verses like Deuteronomy 6:12-15.

  3. “Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them.”
    This portion highlights God’s mercy and compassion towards His people. Despite their repeated disobedience, whenever the Israelites cried out to God in repentance, He would raise up a judge to deliver them from their enemies. The judge served as a vessel through which God displayed His saving power, illustrating His faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. This verse reminds us of God’s willingness to forgive and restore His people when they genuinely turn back to Him in humility and repentance, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Through the detailed analysis of Judges 2:16-19, we uncover timeless messages about the consequences of disobedience, the faithfulness of God in delivering His people, the importance of repentance, and the significance of remaining obedient to God’s commandments. This passage serves as a valuable lesson for believers today, urging them to heed God’s word, stay faithful in their walk with Him, and seek His forgiveness and deliverance in times of trials and tribulations.

Judges 2:20-23

The verse in Judges 2:20-23 can be broken down into the following sections: “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,’” – This section starts by highlighting the reason for God’s anger towards the Israelites. The people had disobeyed God’s commandments and had not followed His ways. God had made a covenant with the Israelites, setting out guidelines for how they were to live and worship. They were breaking their end of the covenant by turning away from these instructions. This shows God’s displeasure with unfaithfulness and disobedience.

  1. God decides to change His course of action regarding the nations that were left unconquered during Joshua’s time as a consequence of the Israelites’ disobedience. God had originally instructed the Israelites to drive out all the inhabitants of the land they were given, but now, because of their unfaithfulness, God decrees that He will not assist them in driving out these remaining nations. This decision would later lead to trouble and conflict for the Israelites as they would be surrounded by peoples who did not worship the Lord.

  2. “‘that through them I may test Israel, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.’” – This section reveals the purpose behind God’s decision not to drive out the remaining nations. It was a test for the Israelites, to see if they would choose to follow the ways of the Lord just as their forefathers had done. God often uses trials and challenges to test the faith and obedience of His people. The Israelites were being given an opportunity to prove their commitment to God, despite their previous shortcomings.

  3. “So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.” – This verse concludes by reiterating God’s decision to leave the remaining nations in the land, not delivering them into Joshua’s hand as He had done with previous conquests. This act of divine intervention would have a lasting impact on the Israelites, shaping their future struggles and revealing the consequences of failing to uphold their covenant with God. A recurring theme of faithfulness, obedience, and consequences in the Israelites’ relationship with God emerges as we analyze these sections. The consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness are made clear in God’s response to the Israelites’ actions. This narrative serves as a warning to all believers about the importance of honoring our commitments to God and the repercussions of straying from His commandments. The story arc of the Israelites in Judges is a cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, deliverance, and then a return to disobedience, illustrating the human tendency to fall short of God’s standards despite His faithfulness and grace. This cycle is a lesson for us all to strive for obedience and faithfulness in our walk with God and to be mindful of the consequences of our actions.

After Judges 2

The people of Israel had once again turned away from God and worshipped false idols. This grieved the Lord, who sent an angel to rebuke them. The people wept and offered sacrifices, but their hearts were not truly repentant. The reverend knew that the people’s cycle of sin and repentance would continue as the sun set on that day. He sighed, for he had seen it many times before. Yet, he also knew that God’s love and mercy were eternal. The Lord would raise up a new leader to guide His people back to the righteous path in the next chapter…