Observations and Interpretation:
(1) In chapter 1, we only read that Israel did not drive out all the Canaanites among them, but allowed them to be their forced labor (1:28,30, 33, 35). In ch 2, the Angel of the Lord accused them that, "2 but you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You should tear down the altars where they worship.’ But you have disobeyed me."
11 The Israelites did evil before the LORD by worshiping the Baals. 12 They abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods—the gods of the nations who lived around them.
Application: To the Israelites, they only focused on the advantages of having forced labor. They might think, "Why kill them all as God commanded? God probably did not know these Canaanites were so helpful to us." No matter how they rationalized their choice, they had disobeyed God and God knew very well. Plus, when they allowed the people to live, they allowed their altars to remain. Eventually, they followed their gods and abandoned the LORD.
Do we rationalize our disobedience? "God has no idea how hard my marriage is...If He have known He would allow me to..."
Or we only focus on the "benefits" of our sins and did not see the danger of sins?
(2) Because God had already told them what He would do when they disobeyed (Josh 23:12-13), so they got their punishment. God would not drive out the Canaanites. That was the famous cycles of Judges: idolatry and failure.
3 At that time I also warned you, ‘If you disobey, I will not drive out the Canaanites before you. They will ensnare you and their gods will lure you away.’
(BKC) As a result of Israel’s disobedience, the divine aid by which Israel would have driven out the Canaanites was withheld (cf. 2:20–3:6).
(NAC) When the Israelites observed the prosperity of the Canaanites, the latters’ gods seemed to offer so much: fertility, prosperity, security. But Yahweh hereby turns their twisted theological thinking against them. Rather than finding new freedom in the religious structures of the Canaanites, the Israelites would be caught in the trap of their gods, like a fly in a spider’s web.
(3) Short-lived obedience
7 The people worshiped the LORD throughout Joshua’s lifetime and as long as the elderly men who outlived him remained alive. These men had witnessed all the great things the LORD had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the LORD’s servant, died at the age of 110... 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.
(BKC) 2:10. The new generation of Israelites that grew up after their faithful fathers died was distinguished by its faithlessness toward the Lord. That they knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel could imply a failure of the older generation to communicate God’s acts to them (cf. Deut. 6:7). But the word “knew” probably has the sense of “acknowledge” (cf. Prov. 3:6, where “know” is trans. “acknowledge”), thus indicating unbelief rather than ignorance. They rejected both the Lord’s grace toward them and their responsibilities toward Him. This led to the idolatrous practices cited in the verses that follow.
Application: Israel only followed God for a very short time after they entered the Promised Land and have their own nation. Only 1 generation away, the whole nation fell. Why? On one hand, they lived among the remaining Canaanites, but on the other hands, the older generation probably failed in their education to their children. How long will Christianity last in your family? How long can 3CW stand?
(BKC) 2:10. The new generation of Israelites that grew up after their faithful fathers died was distinguished by its faithlessness toward the Lord. That they knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel could imply a failure of the older generation to communicate God’s acts to them (cf. Deut. 6:7). But the word “knew” probably has the sense of “acknowledge” (cf. Prov. 3:6, where “know” is trans. “acknowledge”), thus indicating unbelief rather than ignorance. They rejected both the Lord’s grace toward them and their responsibilities toward Him. This led to the idolatrous practices cited in the verses that follow.
Application: Israel only followed God for a very short time after they entered the Promised Land and have their own nation. Only 1 generation away, the whole nation fell. Why? On one hand, they lived among the remaining Canaanites, but on the other hands, the older generation probably failed in their education to their children. How long will Christianity last in your family? How long can 3CW stand?
How about ourselves? Do we obey God with only short-lived obedience? On Sunday, we are better, but declining throughout the week?
(4) The famous cycles of Judges: Sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, silence (peace). See attached image.
However, why this cycle?
First, God gave them exceptional grace.
According to v.3 and 15, they should have remained in servitude and suffering. That's it.
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.
However, we saw that it was not the end. God did not treat them as what they should have got.
However, we saw that it was not the end. God did not treat them as what they should have got.
16 The LORD raised up leaders who delivered them from these robbers.
18 ...The LORD felt sorry for them when they cried out in agony because of what their harsh oppressors did to them.
Second, Israel did not give up their sins and their stubbornness.
v.19 When a leader died, the next generation would again act more wickedly than the previous one. They would follow after other gods, worshiping them and bowing down to them. They did not give up their practices or their stubborn ways.
Facing the exceptional grace of God, Israel did not response well. They repaid God with their stubbornness. They did not give up their sins. Their next generation acted more wickedly than the previous generation and thus entering a downward spiral.
Application: God did not give up on us and gave us what we did not deserve. How do you repay Him? Do you give up your stubbornness? Or you are continue in your sins?
Audrey
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