READING: Judges 2-5
“And they abandoned the Lord.”
Judges 2:12
These chapters of the book of Judges are filled with patterns of rebellion. Indeed, these words are agonizing not only because of what they say, but also because they’re repeated:
- “But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?” (Judg. 2:2)
- “And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt.” (Judg. 2:12)
- “Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them . . . But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers” (Judg. 2:17, 19)
- “They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.” (Judg. 3:7)
- “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” (Judg. 3:12)
- “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died.” (Judg. 4:1)
God was incredibly gracious toward His people, but they continually returned to the gods of the nations. Not only were the judges not always able to direct God’s people back to Him, but some of the judges were themselves sinful and problematic. Idolatry among the people of God seemed to reign, even in the land God had given them.
Lest I critique God’s people too harshly, though, I’m reminded that I too often return again and again to my own idols. I’m sometimes not a lot different from the Hebrews – and I’m helpless apart from the grace of God.
ACTION STEPS:
- Think about patterns of rebellion, return, and rebellion again in your life. Thank God for His mercy.
- Today, choose not to return to any idols in your life.
PRAYER: “God, I’m rebellious and idolatrous, too. Please forgive me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Judges 6-9