Judges 2:6-3:6

Continuing with our Judges series, the next section sets the stage for the rest of the book (and possible the rest of Israelite history). The text says that after the last of those who had been brought out of wandering had died, a generation of Israelites arose that did not know the LORD or what He had done and were wicked, serving Baal and Ashtoreth. In His anger, God sends raiders to plunder and enslave them. Later, God sends judges to save them, but the Israelites do not listen to the judges, continuing to serve other gods, and after the judges die, the Israelites become even more wicked then before.

Seems to set the stage for a recurring pattern:

1. The Israelites failed to keep the covenant
2. The Lord leaves Canaanites around to test them
3. The Israelites forsake God and He is angry
4. God subjects Israelites to their enemies
5. God raises up a judge to deliver and fight for Israel
6. All is good until the judge dies
7. After judge's death, the people are more wicked.
8. Goto 3

There are a couple of interesting things to note. First, by breaking the covenant and worshiping other gods, the Israelites "provoked the LORD to anger" and the LORD, in His anger allows their enemies to plunder, enslave, and defeat them "just as he had sworn to them" (Judges 2:12-15, emphasis mine). Here, it does not seem like the motive for handing the Israelites over to defeat was anger, but keeping his promises. Anger may have been part of the motivation, but the question is whether "in his anger" means "because he was angry" or just simply "while he was angry." Either way, it is clear that the judgement being passed on Israel was precisely what God promised would pass if they broke the covenant. So, because God is just, and possibly because he is angry, the Israelites are oppressed by their enemies.

The second thing to note is that God decides not to drive out all the Canaanites, but to leave some behind to teach and to test Israel. The Israelites disobeyed, so God will not drive out the Canaanites, but the text gives two other reasons for leaving the Canaanites: 1) To teach the Israelites warfare, and 2) To test the Israelites' (continual?) obedience.

Now I come to the "so what?" of my discourse, and I must admit I'm at a loss. The author of Judges seems to be setting us up with a general picture for how the rest of the book will play out. Maybe it is in the specific histories of each of the cycles that there is a message the author is trying to convey. I don't think the author of Judges is just writing history for history's sake, and I think there is more to it than just a general warning to keep God's commandments, there's more to it than that.


[[Update]]

Oppression in the Promised Land.

The Israelites had finally made it to the land God had promised to give to them and their descendants. They go forth to conquer the land, just as God had told them, and they have some great success. Then they begin to have some terrific failures. Some of disobeyed God, and now God was no longer going to help them drive out all the Canaanites from the Promised Land. The Canaanites would, at times, be a thorn in their side, or at other times, their ruler or oppressor. The Israelites are finally in the Promised Land, but life is not going swimmingly all the time. There is trouble in paradise and what we have a a picture of the life of a people with only partially fulfilled promises. The land is mostly theirs, but they can't continually enjoy it. Something is wrong, the covenant has been broken, but is there still hope that it will be renewed and fulfilled? What is Israel's purpose? Is the kingship suppose to be the future hope of Israel?