Judges 2:14
Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.
Then the anger of the LORD burned
The phrase "anger of the LORD" in Hebrew is "אַף יְהוָה" (aph YHWH), where "aph" can also mean "nostril" or "face," indicating a vivid anthropomorphic image of God's wrath. This anger is not capricious but a righteous response to Israel's covenant unfaithfulness. The burning aspect suggests an intense, consuming emotion, reflecting God's holiness and justice. Historically, this divine anger is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing the seriousness of Israel's disobedience and the consequences of breaking the covenant with God.

against Israel
Israel, the chosen people of God, were in a covenant relationship with Him, which required obedience and faithfulness. The historical context here is crucial; Israel had repeatedly turned to idolatry and forsaken the LORD, despite His deliverance and blessings. This phrase underscores the collective responsibility of the nation and the communal nature of their covenant with God. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of national sin and the importance of corporate faithfulness.

and He handed them over to plunderers
The Hebrew root for "handed over" is "נָתַן" (natan), meaning to give or deliver. This action signifies God's sovereign control over the nations and His use of them as instruments of judgment. The "plunderers" were likely neighboring tribes or nations, historically known to raid and oppress Israel. This handing over is both a punishment and a means to bring Israel to repentance, illustrating God's justice and mercy intertwined.

who raided them
The act of raiding involves sudden attacks and looting, which would have been a common threat in the ancient Near East. This phrase highlights the vulnerability and helplessness of Israel without God's protection. It serves as a historical reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the loss of divine favor, which left Israel exposed to their enemies.

He sold them to their enemies all around
The term "sold" in Hebrew is "מָכַר" (makar), often used in the context of slavery or servitude. This conveys a sense of abandonment and the severity of Israel's situation. The "enemies all around" refers to the surrounding nations that constantly threatened Israel's security. This phrase illustrates the complete reversal of Israel's fortunes due to their unfaithfulness, as they went from being a protected nation to one subjugated by their adversaries.

so that they could no longer stand against their enemies
This phrase indicates a loss of strength and divine support. The inability to "stand" suggests defeat and humiliation, a stark contrast to the victories Israel experienced when they were obedient to God. Historically, this reflects the cyclical pattern in Judges, where Israel's disobedience leads to oppression, followed by repentance and deliverance. It serves as a powerful lesson on the necessity of reliance on God for strength and victory.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, whose anger is kindled against His people due to their disobedience and idolatry.

2. Israel
The chosen people of God, who have turned away from Him to serve other gods, leading to their oppression by surrounding nations.

3. Plunderers
The foreign nations and groups that God allowed to oppress and raid Israel as a consequence of their unfaithfulness.

4. Enemies
The surrounding nations to whom God "sold" Israel, indicating a loss of divine protection and favor.

5. Judges
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the Book of Judges involves leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
God's anger is a response to Israel's covenant unfaithfulness. Disobedience leads to tangible consequences, including the loss of divine protection.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is sovereign and uses even the enemies of Israel to accomplish His purposes. This reminds us that God can use any situation to bring about His will.

The Cycle of Sin and Redemption
The Book of Judges illustrates a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Recognizing this pattern in our lives can help us seek God's mercy and avoid repeated failures.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Israel's plight serves as a warning to remain faithful to God. Our spiritual health depends on our commitment to Him and His commandments.

Hope in God's Deliverance
Despite Israel's failures, God raises judges to deliver them. This points to God's grace and the ultimate deliverance found in Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. What specific actions led to God's anger against Israel in Judges 2:14, and how can we avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives?

2. How does the concept of God "selling" Israel to their enemies reflect His justice and mercy? Can you find other biblical examples of God using difficult circumstances to bring His people back to Him?

3. In what ways does the cycle of sin and redemption in Judges mirror our personal spiritual journeys? How can we break free from this cycle?

4. How does understanding the original Hebrew word for "anger" (aph) deepen our understanding of God's response to sin?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's discipline. How did it lead to growth or change in your relationship with Him? How can this passage encourage you in times of spiritual struggle?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, providing a backdrop for understanding why God allowed Israel to be oppressed.

Psalm 106
This psalm recounts Israel's repeated cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, and deliverance, echoing the themes found in Judges.

Romans 1
Paul discusses the concept of God giving people over to their sinful desires as a form of judgment, similar to how God handed Israel over to their enemies.
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
Mercy is the Midst of JudgmentA.F. Muir Judges 2:14-18
People
Israelites, Joshua, Nun
Places
Bochim, Egypt, Gaash, Gilgal, Timnath-heres
Topics
Able, Anger, Burned, Burneth, Burning, Delivered, Despoiled, Enemies, Forced, Giveth, Handed, Hands, Haters, Hot, Kindled, Longer, Plundered, Plunderers, Power, Property, Raiders, Resist, Round, Selleth, Sold, Spoil, Spoiled, Spoilers, Stand, Violently, Withstand, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 2:14

     5242   buying and selling
     5354   invasions
     6659   freedom, acts in OT

Judges 2:6-23

     8705   apostasy, in OT

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 2:11-15

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

Judges 2:11-16

     9210   judgment, God's

Judges 2:12-15

     8707   apostasy, personal

Judges 2:14-15

     5607   warfare, examples
     8713   discouragement

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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