Judges 2:1-23
Q.1. Who was the ‘Angel of the Lord’ and what was His message to Israel? How did the people respond? Why? What was the impact of Joshua’s death, and those of the previous leaders? Why? – (Jdgs.2:1-10)
This was another Christophany, or appearance of Christ before His incarnation. This is clear, since the message was in the first person – … I brought you up out of Egypt and I led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, `I will never break My covenant with you’ (Jdgs.2:1). Only Christ Who is God could speak this way, and certainly not any angel. The condition for God’s covenant blessing was obedience. However, the Messenger rebuked them for their disobedience, and reminded them that as He had promised – … I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you (Jdgs.2:3 c.f. Exo. 34:11-16; Deut.7:1-6; Josh.23:11-13; Num.33:50-55). Note that God was not breaking the Covenant but was applying the curses contained in the Covenant. These curses had been included in order to warn the people that God would discipline them if they disobeyed Him. Israel was devastated by the message and memorialised the encounter with the name Bochim i.e. Weepers. Verses 6-10 summarise the events following Joshua’s farewell challenge to the heads of the twelve tribes (Jdgs.2:6-10 c.f. Josh.24:1-28). It reiterates that – the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the Lord which He had done for Israel (Jdgs.2:7 c.f. Josh.24:31). A significant reason for the drift, was that – … there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel (Jdgs.2:10). Every person in each succeeding generation must develop his/her own relationship with God. This does not pass on automatically from father to son or mother to daughter.
Q.2. How did the nation stray after the previous generation was gone? In what way is this chapter a summary of the time of the Judges? How would you describe the pattern of Israel’s journey? – (Jdgs.2:11-23)
In spite of the Lord’s warnings, Israel played the harlot by serving the gods of the surrounding nations (Jdgs.2:11-13,17,19). Their disregard for God and His covenant provoked the Lord to anger, so He gave them over into the hands of their enemies (Jdgs.2:12,14-15,20). However, still the Lord would listen to His people when they cried to Him, when oppressed by their enemies. He raised up deliverers, even during their recurring infidelity (Jdgs.2:16-19). Israel’s unfaithfulness and disobedience to God formed a continual pattern throughout their history. The book of Judges particularly traced the details of the nation’s ups and downs during the time of Judges. Hence the book’s title.
Q.3. What do we learn about God’s dealing with Israel’s sins and failures? Why did God raise up judges? How did God use the remaining enemies for His purpose? – (Jdgs.2:11-23)
It may seem that God’s action was rejection of Israel because of their continual sins. Instead, God’s chastisement of Israel was His way of maintaining His Covenant with the faithful remnant in each succeeding generation. The very fact that He disciplines us is proof that we are His children (Heb.12:5-11). This was the way God achieved what He intended from the beginning. Because He cared for His people, He raised up judges – … who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them … When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered 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 oppressed and afflicted them (Jdgs.2:16 & 18). Man’s disobedience since the time of the Fall has brought massive loss and sorrow. Israel’s straying from God resulted in the withdrawal of His hand from them. At that time, He no longer assisted them in removing their enemies – 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.” 23 So the Lord allowed those nations to remain, not driving them out quickly; and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua (Jdgs.2:22-23).