2:6-23
Observations:
(1) The one generation worshiped the LORD and the younger one abandoned the LORD and worshiped idols. v.6-13
(2) Even when they suffered after they abandoned the LORD they did not give up on their idols. They did not obey the leaders who delivered them from the robbers v.14-17.
(3) When the leader who saved one generation died, the next generation would act even more wickedly. They did not give up their practices or their stubborn ways v.18-19.
(4) God had made covenant with their ancestors, and they were expected to follow.
2:15 Whenever they went out to fight, the LORD did them harm, just as he had warned and solemnly vowed he would do. They suffered greatly.
v.17b They quickly turned aside from the path their ancestors had walked. Their ancestors had obeyed the LORD’s commands, but they did not.
v.20b “This nation has violated the terms of the agreement I made with their ancestors by disobeying me..."
From (1)-(4) Israel did not honor their covenantal relationship with the LORD. It was almost like "a personal perfence that their ancestors made for themselves. We, the younger generation did not have the obligation to follow." They did not see that as an abiding covenant.
How did that happen?
In the beginning, the combination of old and young generation worshiped the LORD together when the old generation still alive 2:7.
2:10 That entire generation passed away; a new generation grew up that had not personally experienced the LORD’s presence or seen what he had done for Israel.
2:11 The Israelite did evil before the LORD by worshiping the Baals.
(BDB) [know]=know a person, be acquainted with...involving intelligent worship, obedience, etc.
The new generation was not ignorance or lack of the knowledge of God. They did not aquatint with God or had personally experience with God. I assumed if they obeyed God then God would expelled the Canaanites. They would have seen the work of God.
Even after the leaders have saved them. The next generation went back to worship idols. That means the rebellion was stubborn. It might be due to the temptations from the peer to worship the idols together with the neighbor.
Reflection: Christians are not Israelite and our children do not have an covenant with God. However, we can see that our children need to have person experience with God. What I mean is not some mystical experience. When a believer obey God they would experience the blessing and happiness of walking in the Spirit. Also, we need to understand that we are in a upward battle. Their peer certain have tremendous influence on them.
(5) As a result the LORD left the Canaanites not being driven out.
v.21 So I will no longer remove before them any of the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died.
From chapter 1, we see that the Canaanites were not driven out because of their high technology and Israel were scared. They should have done that by faith, but they did not. Also, they made agreement with the Canaanites and did not tear down their altars. From today's passage, we see that Israel's 2nd generation worshiped the idols stubbornly and therefore God left the Canaanites there.
Pray that our next generation would not repeat the failure of Israel and therefore they would not got the punishment from God.
Audrey
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