Judges

Judges 2: God judges and raises rescuers

Begin in prayer

Before Israel's tears at Bochim lead us into the story of the judges, let us humble ourselves before God. Ask Him to show us the seriousness of forsaking Him and the mercy that sends rescue.

But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me, there.

Hosea 6:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to take Your judgment seriously and see Your mercy in Christ. Turn our hearts from the things we love more than You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

At Bochim, the LORD's angel confronts Israel with the covenant they have broken, and the people weep and offer sacrifices. The story then returns to Joshua's generation, who had seen God's great works and served Him. After that generation dies, a new generation abandons the LORD for Baal and Ashtaroth, the gods of their neighbors. The LORD gives Israel into enemies' hands, then is grieved by their groaning and raises judges to rescue them. When a judge dies, the people become still more corrupt, and God leaves nations in the land to test their obedience.

As you read Judges 2, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God judges His unfaithful people and raises rescuers in His mercy.

Israel's unfinished conquest has a deeper cause than strong enemy armies. The people have broken the covenant of the God who brought them out of Egypt. A covenant binds those who belong to it, so their idols betray the LORD who rescued them. Baal and Ashtaroth were the false gods of the peoples around them. Worshiping these gods brings Israel under the enemies they were meant to drive out. The LORD's anger and His compassion both appear in what follows. He gives them over to oppression, then raises judges who deliver and lead them. Yet after each judge dies, their stubborn return to idols shows how much more than temporary relief they need.

How does Judges 2 show us that God judges His unfaithful people and raises rescuers in His mercy?

God holds His people to His word.

The LORD's angel speaks of the rescue from Egypt and the land God promised. God commanded no covenant with the inhabitants and the breaking of their altars, but Israel has not listened (verse 2). Their tears at Bochim cannot make this unfaithfulness harmless.

The LORD gives rebels into their enemies' hands.

The generation after Joshua does not know the LORD or His work for Israel (verse 10). They abandon Him and worship the gods around them. The LORD's hand is against them, just as He had sworn, and their enemies plunder them.

The LORD hears suffering and gives rescuers.

The judges are leaders God raises to save Israel from its plunderers (verse 16). The LORD is with each judge because His people's groaning grieves Him. Their return to worse corruption after the judge dies shows that rescue from enemies leaves the stubborn heart unchanged.

Memorise

Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

Judges 2:16

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I love more than God, and why do I need Jesus?

The LORD's angel asks, “Why have you done this?” The people who received God's rescue have broken His covenant. Yet the LORD “raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” Their rescues begin with His mercy.

Our hearts also turn from God, and our tears cannot cancel His righteous judgment. Jesus came to rescue His people from the guilt and power of sin. He bore God's anger against their sins on the cross. He rose from death and lives beyond its reach. His sacrifice settled their guilt completely, with nothing missing from His saving work.

Repent of your sin and come to Him in faith. Jesus welcomes those who seek His mercy and gives them forgiveness. The rescuer who lives forever gives a hope that outlasts every earthly judge.

Parent's note

Tell your children that sin deserves God's anger and that His mercy sends rescue through Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for showing mercy to people who have forsaken Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn’t believe.

Jude 5

Holy God, Your word shows how serious our sin is. Thank You for sending Jesus to rescue His people. Please turn us from our idols and lead us to trust Him. Keep our family listening to Your word and remembering Your works in the days ahead. Amen.