College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Judges 2 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 2
The assembly at Bochim. The people of Israel were met by the angel of the Lord at Bochim. They were rebuked for their wicked ways, and they wept sorely as their sins were brought to their attention. For this reason, the place received the name Bochim which means weeping. Along life's pathway, God's people often come to places of weeping, but godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death (2 Corinthians 7:10).
A recollection of Joshua's death. Although it was stated that the conquest led by Judah began after Joshua's death, reference is made in this second chapter of the death of Joshua. The book of Judges is introduced by a general resume of activities which surrounded the death of Joshua, and this important event is recalled again at this point.
The apostasy of the people. Israel rebelled against God. They turned from the worship of the one true and living God to a worship of the gods of the Canaanites who dwelt around them. These pagan nations had both male and female deities, and Israel forsook the Lord to serve these false gods. As a result, we read, the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel (Judges 2:14). He delivered them into the hands of the enemies round about them, and this formed the background out of which came the judges to champion righteousness and to deliver the people from those who oppressed them.
The rise of the judges. When Israel sinned, God did not leave them without any help. These judges were not men who sat on benches in courts of law, but they were men who challenged the people to reach the ideals which had been set before them in the laws of the Old Testament. They punished the evil doers and led the people of Israel in war against their foes, They were a group of leaders, peculiarly equipped, to rule Israel during the period from the era of Joshua until the monarchy was established under Saul.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Our days are full of labor and strife. The Psalmist declared that even though our years were extended beyond the threescore and ten until they reached fourscore years, yet would their strength be labor and sorrow (Psalms 90:10). Jesus found life on earth to be filled with tears. He wept over Jerusalem and at the tomb of Lazarus, In the Garden of Gethsemane, He was in agony. Such was the lot of the Israelites, especially as they sinned and rebelled against God. Such is the lot of Christians, but they do not sorrow as those who have no hope.
2.
Sinners in the hands of an angry God. When it is said that the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel (Judges 2:14), attention is called to the fact that God does not always allow men to continue in sin without punishment. It may be true that a sinner will escape the punishment for his sin through many years, but eventually he will be called to give an account of his deeds done in the flesh whether they be good or evil. It is stated that Jonathan Edwards, a preacher in New England in the early days of the history of the United States of America, spoke so clearly and described so vividly the punishment of sinners in the hands of an angry God that he was able to persuade many souls to turn from their waywardness to the ways of the Lord. The example of Israel's being punished in the days of the judges should make it clear that no nation can long escape the penalties of sin when its people are lost in this sin.
3.
The Lord is full of mercy. God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The God of the Old Testament is not different from the God of the New Testament. Even though the Lord's anger was hot against Israel, He did not forsake them. He raised up judges who delivered them out of the hands of those who spoiled them. It is said, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge (Judges 2:18). In His infinite mercy, God has provided for all to be saved if they believe on His Son.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 2
1.
Where did the angel of the Lord appear?
2.
Where had His early appearance been made?
3.
What is the meaning of the name given to the place where the angel appeared?
4.
How old was Joshua when he died?
5.
Where was Joshua buried?
6.
What was the name given to the male gods whom Israel served?
7.
What was the name of the female goddesses whom Israel served?
8.
What was the name of the leaders whom God gave Israel?
9.
Did all the people always listen to the judges?
10.
Why did God leave some of the Canaanites among the Israelites?