Judges 1 & 2
After reading for weeks about all the great adventures
and victories, it feels a little bit shocking to read about Israel’s quick
downward spiral once her God appointed leaders and that entire generation are
“gathered to their people”.
What about all the altars and monuments of uncut field
stones that bear testimony to the great acts of deliverance and covenant
renewals? Did fathers and mothers stop telling their children? Did they become so involved with the business
of living that they stopped giving thanks and bringing worship to the LORD
their God? Did moss and lichen grow over
these symbolic stones and markers and sink into the ground? Did the mothers and wives of soldiers and
warriors stop praying when the land had rest from war on every side?
Or was it because neither Manasseh, nor Ephraim, nor
Napthali, nor Zebulun, nor Asher drove out the remaining Canaanites who were
living among them.
The trusty NIV notes say that in Canaan, Israel quickly
forgot the acts of God that had given her birth and established her in the
land. Consequently, she lost sight of
her unique identity as God’s people, chosen and called to be his army and the
loyal citizens of his emerging kingdom.
She settles down and attaches herself to Canaan’s peoples, morals, gods,
and religious beliefs and practices as readily as to Canaan’s agricultural and
social life.
God withdrew His Hand, and sent an angel to rebuke
Israel. Ch 2:3 “Why have you disobeyed
me?”
Ch 2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to
their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what
He had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the yes of the LORD
and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who
had brought them out of Egypt. They
followed and worshiped the various god of the peoples around them. 14 In His anger against Israel the LORD gave
them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies
all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.”
Ch 2:16 “Then God raised up judges who saved them out of
the hands of raiders. 17 Yet they would
not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and
worshiped them. “
Unlike their fathers, and maybe very much like them, they
quickly turned from the way their ancestors had walked.
The way of obedience to the LORD’s command.
I wonder if it was worth it.
That fitting in.
Sometimes that’s so nice and comfortable.
To not stick out.
But blending in is not the same as belonging.
I am simultaneously excited and disheartened as we head
into these next stories.
Disheartened that the cycle repeats itself, over and over
and over.
Excited to read about judges, deliverers, and heroes,
who were not content to blend in.
Who stood up in front of a nation
that is not walking a covenant journey.
Being the lone voice of deliverance
Speaking and bringing messages of Hope
Mercy and compassion
Strengthened by the Spirit of the LORD.
I’m probably going to repeat that over the next few
days.
So much good news in these stories and cycles.
There are dark days, but there is always Light.
Always God’s eyes on us.
It always bears repeating.
Like a stone we set up to remind ourselves.
While my desk is covered with papers.
While my GPS is set for travel.
God’s eye is always on me.
I’m so thankful again today.
That He hears me!
He sees me!
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