◄ Judges 2:12 ►
Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger,
Study Bible
They forsook the LORD
The phrase "They forsook the LORD" is a powerful indictment against the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "forsook" is "עזב" (azab), which means to leave, abandon, or desert. This word conveys a deliberate action of turning away from a relationship. Historically, this reflects a recurring pattern in Israel's history where the people abandoned their covenant relationship with Yahweh, despite His faithfulness. The LORD, represented by the tetragrammaton YHWH, is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His special relationship with Israel. This forsaking is not just a physical departure but a spiritual and relational betrayal.

the God of their fathers
This phrase underscores the continuity of faith that was supposed to be passed down through generations. "The God of their fathers" refers to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, highlighting a rich heritage of faith and divine promises. The Israelites' ancestors had experienced God's faithfulness firsthand, and this phrase serves as a reminder of the historical and spiritual legacy that the current generation was neglecting. It is a call to remember the foundational truths and commitments that were established by their forefathers.

who had brought them out of the land of Egypt
This part of the verse recalls the defining act of deliverance in Israel's history—the Exodus. The phrase emphasizes God's power and faithfulness in liberating the Israelites from slavery, a central theme in the Hebrew Bible. The Exodus is not just a historical event but a symbol of God's saving grace and covenantal love. By forsaking God, the Israelites were disregarding the miraculous acts that had defined their identity as a people chosen and redeemed by God.

and followed other gods
The phrase "and followed other gods" indicates a shift in allegiance and worship. The Hebrew word for "followed" is "הלך" (halak), meaning to walk or go after, suggesting a conscious decision to pursue something else. "Other gods" refers to the deities of the surrounding nations, which were often associated with fertility, war, and nature. This idolatry was not just a breach of the first commandment but a profound spiritual adultery, as it involved adopting the practices and values of pagan cultures, leading to moral and spiritual corruption.

from the gods of the peoples around them
This phrase highlights the influence of the surrounding nations on Israel. The "peoples around them" were the Canaanites and other neighboring tribes whose religious practices were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh. The Israelites were called to be a distinct and holy nation, set apart for God's purposes. However, their assimilation into the surrounding cultures led to a dilution of their faith and identity. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of conforming to worldly influences and the importance of maintaining spiritual integrity.

and bowed down to them
"Bowed down" is translated from the Hebrew word "שחה" (shachah), which means to prostrate oneself in worship or submission. This act of bowing down signifies not only physical submission but also a heart posture of reverence and allegiance. By bowing to other gods, the Israelites were not just engaging in idolatry but were also expressing a deep-seated rejection of their covenant with Yahweh. This act of worship was a betrayal of their exclusive devotion to the one true God, leading to spiritual and national consequences.

and provoked the LORD to anger
The phrase "provoked the LORD to anger" reflects the righteous indignation of God in response to Israel's unfaithfulness. The Hebrew word for "provoked" is "כעס" (kaas), which means to irritate or vex. God's anger is not capricious but is a just response to the violation of the covenant relationship. It underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from God. This divine anger is a call to repentance and a reminder of the holiness and justice of God, who desires a faithful and obedient relationship with His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were chosen by God to be His people. In this context, they are the ones who forsook the LORD.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from slavery in Egypt and established them in the Promised Land.

3. The Land of Egypt
The place from which God delivered the Israelites, symbolizing bondage and oppression.

4. Other gods
The deities worshiped by the surrounding nations, representing idolatry and spiritual adultery.

5. The Peoples Around Them
The Canaanite nations whose practices and gods influenced the Israelites negatively.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Forgetfulness
Forgetting God's past deliverance leads to spiritual decline. Just as the Israelites forgot their deliverance from Egypt, we must remember God's work in our lives to remain faithful.

The Influence of Surrounding Culture
The Israelites were influenced by the surrounding nations. We must be vigilant about the cultural influences that can lead us away from God.

The Seriousness of Idolatry
Idolatry provokes God's anger because it is a betrayal of our covenant relationship with Him. We must identify and remove modern-day idols from our lives.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's commandments is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with Him. Disobedience leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences.

God's Jealous Love
God's jealousy is rooted in His love for us and His desire for our exclusive devotion. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth of His commitment to us.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "gods" or idols that can lead us away from our devotion to the LORD, and how can we guard against them?

2. How does remembering God's past faithfulness help us remain steadfast in our faith today?

3. In what ways can the culture around us influence our spiritual walk, and how can we counteract these influences?

4. How does understanding God's jealousy for our love and devotion change the way we view our relationship with Him?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's deliverance in your life. How can this memory strengthen your faith and obedience to Him now?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-5
This passage contains the first two commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of idols. It underscores the seriousness of Israel's sin in Judges 2:12.

Deuteronomy 6:14-15
Warns Israel against following other gods, emphasizing that the LORD is a jealous God, which connects to the provocation of His anger mentioned in Judges 2:12.

1 Kings 11:4-6
Describes how Solomon's heart turned after other gods, paralleling the Israelites' actions in Judges 2:12 and showing the recurring theme of idolatry.
Sermons
The Force of Personal Testimony and InfluenceA.F. Muir Judges 2:6-13
Israel's ApostasyW.F. Adeney Judges 2:11-13
God's Methods with NationsA. P. Foster.Judges 2:11-15
Israel's Obstinacy and God's PatienceA. Maclaren, D. D.Judges 2:11-15
People
Israelites, Joshua, Nun
Places
Bochim, Egypt, Gaash, Gilgal, Timnath-heres
Topics
Anger, Bow, Bowed, Bringeth, Egypt, Fathers, Followed, Forsake, Forsook, Gods, Moving, Peoples, Provoke, Provoked, Round, Themselves, Thus, Various, Worshiped, Worshipped, Worshipping, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 2:12

     5770   abandonment
     8468   renunciation

Judges 2:6-23

     8705   apostasy, in OT

Judges 2:10-13

     5345   influence
     7135   Israel, people of God
     8747   false gods

Judges 2:10-14

     1025   God, anger of
     8702   agnosticism

Judges 2:10-19

     8151   revival, corporate

Judges 2:10-23

     8728   enemies, of Israel and Judah

Judges 2:11-12

     5811   compromise
     8302   love, abuse of

Judges 2:11-13

     6200   imperfection, influence
     8799   polytheism

Judges 2:11-15

     1310   God, as judge
     6109   alienation
     8739   evil, examples of

Judges 2:11-16

     9210   judgment, God's

Judges 2:12-13

     1135   God, suffering of
     6218   provoking God
     7312   Baal

Judges 2:12-15

     8707   apostasy, personal

Library
A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
'And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. 2. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3. Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Israel's Obstinacy and God's Patience
'And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim; 12. And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. 13. And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. 14. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Whether the Female Sex is an Impediment to Receiving Orders?
Objection 1: It would seem that the female sex is no impediment to receiving Orders. For the office of prophet is greater than the office of priest, since a prophet stands midway between God and priests, just as the priest does between God and people. Now the office of prophet was sometimes granted to women, as may be gathered from 4 Kings 22:14. Therefore the office of priest also may be competent to them. Objection 2: Further, just as Order pertains to a kind of pre-eminence, so does a position …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Judges.
Judges 1; 1 Sam. 7. The Characteristics of the Times. This is a period of transition for Israel Nothing was quite certain, and "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (17:6). In consequence of this there was lack of organization, cooperation or leadership. While we do not have all the history covered by the period and while we do not easily understand or explain its events, it is clear that things did not run smoothly. In Judges 2:16-19 the author gives a vivid picture of the conditions …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to Its Heavenly Origin
The title of this chapter suggests a wide field of study the limits of which we can now only skirt here and there. To begin with the writers of the Old Testament. Had the historical parts of the Old Testament been a forgery, or the production of uninspired men, their contents would have been very different to what they are. Each of its Books was written by a descendant of Abraham, yet nowhere do we find the bravery of the Israelites extolled and never once are their victories regarded as the outcome …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Doctrine of Angels.
I. THEIR EXISTENCE. 1. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. 2. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES. II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT. 4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. THE FALL OF ANGELS. 1. TIME AND CAUSE. 2. THE WORK OF FALLEN ANGELS. 3. THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS. IV. THE WORK OF ANGELS. 1. THEIR HEAVENLY MINISTRY. 2. THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY. a) In Relation to the Believer. b) In Relation to Christ's Second Coming. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS. We are not …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

A Case of Conscience Resolved
WHETHER, WHERE A CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SITUATE, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE WOMEN OF THAT CONGREGATION, ORDINARILY, AND BY APPOINTMENT, TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR BRETHREN, AND SO TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER, TO PERFORM SOME PARTS OF DIVINE WORSHIP, AS PRAYER, ETC., WITHOUT THEIR MEN? AND THE ARGUMENTS MADE USE OF FOR THAT PRACTICE, EXAMINED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This exceedingly rare tract was first published in 1683, and was not reprinted, either separately, or in any edition of Bunyan's …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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