Judges 2:6-10

General Religious Characterization of the Period Judges 2:6 to Judges 3:6

The Death of Joshua Judges 2:6-10

6 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.
7 And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel.
8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being a hundred and ten years old.
9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
10 And also all the generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

6.

When had Joshua let the people go? Judges 2:6

Joshua had dismissed the Reubenites, Gadites, and Manassites from Shiloh when the period of the conquest was ended. He allowed them to go back to the land which had been promised to them by Moses (Joshua 22). He then called the elders of Israel to him at Shiloh and delivered the charge which is recorded in Joshua 23. Finally, he gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem. He called for the elders of Israel, their heads, their judges, and their officers. On that occasion, he delivered his famous challenge and urged them to choose whom they would serve. After this thrilling event, it is recorded that Joshua sent the people away, every man unto his inheritance (Joshua 24:28). This introduction to the book of Judges harks back to that meeting and sets the stage for the situation which demanded the raising up of the judges.

7.

In what sense did they serve God? Judges 2:7.

They served God most of all, but also followed pagan superstitions. They had expressly failed to drive out the inhabitants of the land and thus failed to serve the Lord completely by obeying this commandment which He had given them. They also had failed to throw down the altars of the Canaanites into whose land they had come. Generally speaking, however, they had served God. This syncretism continued to plague the people of Israel when the Northern Kingdom was finally carried into captivity by the Assyrians. The prophet recorded,. they did after their former manner. So these nations feared Jehovah, and served their graven images, their children likewise, and their children's children, as did their fathers, so do they unto this day (2 Kings 17:40-41).

8.

What was the exact site of Joshua's grave? Judges 2:9

In Unger's Bible Dictionary are notes to the effect that heres of Timnath-heres is Serah spelled backwards. It is located twelve miles from Lydda. No place by this name appears on maps, and the spot which Unger favors is presently called Tibnah. Dr. Eli Smith, as reported in Smith's Bible Dictionary, suggested the site be identified with ruins of a place some twenty miles northwest from Jerusalem. At this point, there are, in a higher hill opposite, sepulchers hewn out of the rock equal in size and decoration to the tombs of the kings at Jerusalem. Since the site is evidently lost, we have also lost any identification of the tomb of Joshua.

9.

Why did the younger generation not know the Lord? Judges 2:10

The younger generation did not know the Lord because they chose not to follow in the footsteps of their fathers. They certainly knew who the Lord was. They knew of His wonderful works, but they were like the rebellious sons of Eli, who despised the Lord's offerings and lived in a sinful way (1 Samuel 2:13). They had heard how the Lord worked wonders on behalf of Israel, but they chose not to let these lead them to faith in Him.