1 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
4 And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
5 And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.
6 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.
7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.
8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, [being] an hundred and ten years old.
9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.
16 Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.
17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; [but] they did not so.
18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.
19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, [that] they returned, and corrupted [themselves] more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.
20 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;
21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:
22 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep [it], or not.
23 Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.
Overview of Judges Chapter 2
Judges Chapter 2 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites during the period of the Judges. This chapter provides insight into the spiritual decline of the Israelites and the consequences of their disobedience to God. It also highlights God’s unwavering commitment to His covenant despite the people’s failures.
The Angel of the Lord’s Message
The chapter opens with the appearance of the Angel of the Lord, who delivers a message to the Israelites. This message serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the covenant He made with their ancestors.
- The Angel’s proclamation emphasizes God’s promise to bring the Israelites into the land of Canaan.
- He reminds them of their obligation to remain faithful and not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the land.
- The consequences of disobedience are reiterated, highlighting that failure to uphold the covenant will lead to God’s anger and abandonment.
The Israelites’ Response
The Israelites respond to the Angel’s message with weeping and sacrifice, indicating their recognition of their shortcomings and a desire to return to God.
- This moment reflects a temporary acknowledgment of their sins and a desire for reconciliation with God.
- However, this emotional response does not lead to lasting change in their behavior.
The Death of Joshua and the Subsequent Generations
Following the death of Joshua, the chapter notes a significant shift in the spiritual state of Israel.
- The new generation that arises does not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel.
- This lack of knowledge leads to a cycle of disobedience and idolatry among the Israelites.
- They begin to serve the Baals and other gods, abandoning the worship of Yahweh.
The Cycle of Apostasy
The chapter outlines a recurring pattern that characterizes the book of Judges: a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.
- Israelites fall into sin by worshiping foreign gods.
- God allows them to be oppressed by their enemies as a consequence of their actions.
- In their distress, the Israelites cry out to God for help.
- God raises up judges to deliver them from their oppressors.
God’s Compassion and Justice
Despite their repeated failures, God demonstrates compassion towards the Israelites.
- He does not abandon them completely but instead allows them to experience the consequences of their actions.
- God’s justice is evident as He punishes sin, but His mercy is also clear as He responds to their cries for help.
Conclusion of the Chapter
Judges Chapter 2 ends with a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness. The Israelites’ failure to teach the next generation about God sets the stage for further decline and chaos in the coming chapters.
- This chapter serves as a warning about the dangers of forgetting God’s deeds and the importance of passing down faith to future generations.
- The cycle of sin and redemption will continue, illustrating the need for a true and lasting commitment to God.
