The book of Judges continues Israel’s story from the death of their leader, Joshua, to right before the birth of Samuel. In this drama, we witness the heroic acts and military conquests of this series of leaders, the Judges.
The pattern for the story is repeated several times. The first example of this cycle is here in…
Judges 2:11-16
11 Then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals, 12 and they abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; they followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were all around them and bowed down to them, and they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They abandoned the Lord and served Baal and the Astartes. 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 power of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. 15 Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them to bring misfortune, as the Lord had warned them and sworn to them, and they were in great distress.
16 Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the power of those who plundered them
By reading Judges, we are reminded of the sad and sinful cycle of people forgetting about God, and God’s grace faithfulness in redeeming them.
Prayer
Let me be attentive to your direction, Dear God. And, when I turn away, coax me back with your love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
