When the Judge was Dead. Judges 2:10-23 The Lord had been faithful to Israel during the wilderness period and when they entered the promised land. Complacency led to apostasy in Israel, and the people ignored and forgot that a covenant is only effective when both parties fulfill their terms. Therefore, the Lord withdrew His help from those who neither knew Him nor cared about what He had done for them. The personal connection with the Lord was different with the new generation, as they hadn’t experienced His acts on their behalf.
Sometimes, it feels like we are wasting our time trying to teach the next generation the principles and practices that have been tested and proven effective for many previous generations. There is an indifferent attitude toward God and His word, yet people claim to be "spiritual." Another generation (Judg.2:10) is described as one that "Knew not the Lord." They knew everything about the Lord but didn't truly know Him. "They forsook the Lord," which was a deliberate choice on their part. Furthermore, in their hearts, they "Did evil."
They served Baal (whose name means “lord”) and Ashtoreth, who was believed to be Baal's wife. Worshiping Ashtoreth involved immoral acts of sexual promiscuity. People became slaves to uncontrolled lust. The Israelites also worshiped other gods of those who lived in the land that Israel had not fully controlled. Those who should have known better, in their stubbornness, "Bowed themselves — provoked the Lord."
When that generation started following the idols of the ungodly tribes around them and engaging in the evil practices associated with idolatry, the righteous anger of the Lord allowed them to be overcome by enemies who came and plundered them. God had promised to deliver Israel into the hands of their enemies if they forsook Him. Not only did they lose what they had gained, but distress over all they lost and their helplessness left them bereft of peace, contentment, and hope. They could have lived according to the way of the righteous if they had followed the terms of the covenant.
The Lord's response to that departure was anger, and in sovereign governance, He used nations against them. God's compassion for the people He loved was such that He had issued warnings. If they disobeyed Him, rejected the covenant terms, and ignored the laws meant to guide them, He would discipline them. If they followed the covenant's terms, He would bless them. The mercy of the Lord toward His people during times of trouble and distress was shown when He raised up judges to deliver them from oppression.
He raised judges from among their tribes to bring their sins before them and guide them back to God. The judges were called "deliverers." Six of these judges were considered major: Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. The others—Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon—were minor judges. While the potential was there, a judge couldn't change people's hearts. The Lord "sold them" into the hand of Chushanrishathim (doubly wicked Chushan).
There is only one Holy Spirit, and He "bears witness with our spirit" when we are born again and receive the new nature that God gives to His true children. The Holy Spirit living in a believer is always there to guide us "into all truth," reveal Christ to us, and show us "things to come." The attraction of the new generation to idolatry and sensual living while maintaining a religious appearance is usually because there has been no new birth.
However, there are times when a young Christian gets caught up in the cycle of sin repeatedly because the previous generation has failed to clearly teach the next generation to wholly obey, follow, and love the Lord. Understanding doesn't usually come the first time a lesson or principle is taught. The application of truth in daily life and community life needs to be practical enough for the learner to immediately know whether what they do or don't do is right. The practice of one generation passing on the truth of God to the next was a key feature of the law. They were to pass on the practical effects of obedience to truth to "their children and their children's children."
In assembly life, the saints must commit the truth of gathering to the Lord's name alone, especially for those who might see the fellowship we share as just another evangelical church in the area. There is a uniqueness to God's truth that doesn't conform to the popular practices favored by most people. Loyalty to the Lord carries a cost that many are unwilling to pay.
The Baal worship practiced by the Israelites they allowed to remain among them was appealing because it involved observable actions and objects. They didn't rely solely on faith. Baal worshippers made their own gods to fit their needs. They believed idols influenced the weather and rain, so small Baals were placed at streams, in front of trees, or wherever something moved or was alive. Worshippers of Baal thought that by worshipping him, they would ensure a good harvest.
But there was an even more evil practice involved in the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth. Prostitution and child sacrifice were committed in the name of religion. Selfishness lies at the heart of man's "will worship." It motivated the people during the time of the judges, and it remains common today in the wicked and evil practices of those who do not know God. Strangely, the "people of God" were drawn to this. The sensual worship practiced by those around them led them away from the Lord, causing them to give in to the world, the flesh, and the devil.
For four hundred years, that pattern repeated. When the people forgot God, another nation would conquer them as a form of divine justice and judgment. When they repented and turned back to God, He listened, showed mercy, and rescued them. God does not forget His people but allows problems to come so they will return to Him. They could face life and prosperity or death and destruction depending on how they responded to the Lord's commands. God was not changing His mind but was enforcing the terms of the covenant He made with Israel.
It is common for people to choose convenience, acceptance, and pleasure over what is right, especially when influenced by those who do not know God. Even Christians sometimes desire close friendships with those who have no interest in God at all. Jesus was "a friend of publicans and sinners" but never participated in their actions. Some say, "We must be like them to win them." The truth is that they will not be drawn to the Lord until they see something in those who believe in Jesus Christ and Christianity that is different and appealing. Only then will they realize that what they truly need can only be found in Him.
Idolatry is a core sin because it denies God. Ignoring God Himself, as taught in the first two commandments, leads to all the sins listed in the Ten Commandments. Idolatry remains evil despite what modern man might claim. People follow idols of various kinds to satisfy the immoral, carnal, and sensual parts of their natural nature, which
Looking ahead, God had a plan to combat complacency. Instead of letting Israel sink into apathy, He used moments of resistance to "test Israel." He wanted people who knew how to trust Him in battle. These inexperienced individuals had to learn that victory depends not on wisdom or skill, but on a faithful God. Why does God not remove our sinful nature? Why do we have so many areas of weakness? Why are there so many unresolved problems even in the most biblically faithful communities? To wake us up from apathy and teach us to trust Him, God allows difficulties to occur. We cannot remain stagnant in our Christian walk. We grow or we fail. Apathy and lack of motivation are the most common signs of a nation heading downhill.
Despite the evil actions of the children of Israel, the surrounding nations revealed their true colors as enemies. They tested them until they were groaning under slavery and oppression. Even though they deserved nothing from God, He showed mercy by raising up judges who recognized what was happening to God's people. God’s unearned grace provided for their needs. Through these true heroes of faith who warned, taught, and guided the people back to the Lord, deliverance from the oppressors came. And God accepted them back even though they did not earn His mercy.
When we rebel against God's revealed will and live in disobedience to Him, our enemies will overpower us until we either become like them or repent and turn back to God. Disobedience warrants judgment, but mercy offers a way to escape the consequences of disobeying God. Our Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed His life to save us from the penalty of our sins. In mercy, God forgives us even though we do not deserve the least of His mercies.
There were god-fearing judges among the people of Israel who were loyal to God. He used them to deliver His people and restore their relationship with Him. Restoration can happen even though there will be consequences for our actions that we must accept. In Israel, the people followed his leadership as long as the judge was alive. When he passed away, the cycle of sin and rebellion started all over again.
For some strange reason, those who knew about the Lord chose not to want to know Him personally or follow His revealed word. The mighty works He performed for them and their ancestors seemed unimportant, and they did not care. In their daily lives, God was hardly present. Even worse was their lack of appreciation for God and all He had done for them. They showed no gratitude. Their obvious attitude was, "I want to go my own way," which included bowing down before idols, despite their covenant with the Lord forbidding it. They deliberately turned away from the way of life that pleases God.
We must dedicate ourselves to loyalty and faithfulness to God, regardless of what others do or the tough situations we face. Believers need one another to avoid being swayed by modern ideas and religion. Staying firm and unshaken is difficult without support. Religious activities that appeal to the flesh serve only man's interests, not God's. A self-centered religion that attracts our flesh is not worshipping "the Father in spirit and in truth."
An old man was traveling on an ocean liner when a huge storm suddenly appeared without warning. One woman lost her balance and fell overboard. People stood frozen with horror as she struggled in the water. Suddenly, a man jumped into the waves, grabbed her, and held on until a rescue boat arrived. When they were pulled out, everyone was surprised and embarrassed to find out that the hero was the oldest man on the boat, in his eighties. That evening, they threw a party to honor him. When they called on him to speak, he slowly stood up, looked around at the people for what felt like a long time, and then said, "I would like to know just one thing." An awkward silence followed, and he asked, "Who pushed me?"
We wonder at people who know better but have such apathy that they live in complacency in a world where sin abounds. From time to time, God allows serious problems to come when He tests those who claim to be His people but live like the rest of the ungodly who don’t even believe in Him. In ancient days, God raised up judges to speak for Him to the people. In our days, a preacher's job is to warn the people of the dangers and consequences of sin. Some will listen and respond in faith so they might be forgiven, and by God's mercy, when a person turns to Him in faith, they will go to heaven.
So, it is with us; sometimes, we need to be pushed to go beyond apathy. Faith in God and obedience to His word lead to selflessness in a Christian who desires to live for the Lord. Selfishness is driven by things that bring personal pleasure. The blessings of faith can never be fully understood or exhausted. With the Lord's help and guidance, we can live in a way that pleases God. When that happens, our lives also bring us joy, and everything takes on meaning and purpose.
Only God can give a new nature to those who come believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. They recognize that mercy has been shown when they accept the truth. Some turn in remorse and grief because sin has exposed them. Those who trust in Christ understand what grace is all about and what it has brought into their lives. We cannot change a person's attitude or even the attitude of a nation, but God makes all things new for them. Through His mercy, He offers salvation from sin freely so we can help others understand around us. God, in His mercy, will save their souls when they realize what salvation cost the Savior.