Judges 2:12 (ESV); And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them
out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were
around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger.
Upon entering the Promised Land the people did not fully obey God. Instead of driving the people out
of the land they allowed them to work as labourers. God was angry and said that He would no longer
drive the people out of the land. “They shall become thorns in your sides,” He said, “and their gods
shall be a snare to you.” (v3)
This signified a new time for Israel: a time of instability. The people would prostitute themselves in
utter rebellion until they would recognize their wretchedness and call out to God. He would raise up
a judge who would deliver them out of their enemies’ hands and the land would experience a time of
peace. But upon the death of each judge the people would stumble right back to their rebellion and
the nation would again be plunged into turmoil. This pattern continued and the Book of Judges ends
with the hopeless words, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his
own eyes.”
Everyone was his own leader, his own God. How the nation had fallen from her days following the
cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night! She had sold herself into a whole new form of slavery,
pitifully subject to other nations and morally bankrupt. But God was so faithful in this time, and looking
at the records of the judges we see the imprint of God’s unfailing love. Each time the people cried out
for help, God raised up a new leader. Though the people deserved no mercy, God showed mercy.
Though they deserved no favour, God showed favour. Over and over God proved to be the great
Redeemer.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. We are often like the Israelites, falling over and over again back into the same sin. Don’t allow
this repetition to keep you from calling out to God. Call out to Him today in repentance and ask
Him to change you and to help you overcome this issue.
2. Who has God put in your life to help keep you on track in your relationship with Him? Thank Him
for this person. Make a plan to bless this person this week.
3. Commit to making God your King today. What will that look like?
