But when the judge died, the Israelites became even more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them. They would not give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. But when the judge diedThis phrase marks a pivotal transition in the cyclical narrative of the Book of Judges. The Hebrew word for "judge" is "shofet," which implies not only a legal arbiter but also a leader or deliverer. In the context of ancient Israel, judges were raised by God to deliver the Israelites from oppression and to lead them back to faithfulness. The death of a judge often signified the end of a period of relative peace and obedience, highlighting the Israelites' dependency on strong, God-appointed leadership to maintain their covenant relationship with God. the Israelites would return to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers
The phrase "return to ways even more corrupt" underscores a recurring theme of spiritual and moral decline. The Hebrew root for "corrupt" is "shachath," which conveys a sense of destruction or decay. This suggests not just a return to previous sins but an intensification of rebellion against God. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' tendency to assimilate the pagan practices of surrounding nations, which led them further away from the covenantal laws given at Sinai. following other gods and serving and worshiping them
This phrase highlights the core issue of idolatry, which was a direct violation of the first two commandments. The Hebrew word for "gods" is "elohim," which can refer to the one true God or to false deities, depending on the context. The Israelites' worship of other gods was not merely a religious error but a betrayal of their exclusive covenant with Yahweh. Archaeological findings, such as altars and idols from Canaanite sites, provide evidence of the pervasive influence of surrounding cultures on Israelite worship practices. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways
The phrase "refused to give up" indicates a willful persistence in sin. The Hebrew word for "refused" is "ma'en," which implies a deliberate choice against repentance. "Evil practices" and "stubborn ways" reflect a hardened heart, resistant to God's call to holiness. This stubbornness is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, illustrating the human tendency to resist divine authority and the need for a transformative relationship with God. The historical context of this period shows a nation struggling with identity and faithfulness amidst external pressures and internal weaknesses. Persons / Places / Events 1. JudgesLeaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and guide them back to Him. Their deaths often marked a return to sin for the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God who repeatedly fell into cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. 3. CanaanThe land promised to the Israelites, where they were influenced by the pagan practices of the surrounding nations. 4. Pagan GodsDeities worshiped by the Canaanites, which the Israelites were tempted to follow, leading them away from the worship of Yahweh. 5. Cycle of ApostasyThe recurring pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance seen throughout the Book of Judges. Teaching Points The Danger of ForgetfulnessThe Israelites' repeated return to sin highlights the danger of forgetting God's past deliverances and commands. We must actively remember and recount God's faithfulness in our lives. The Influence of Surrounding CultureThe Israelites were swayed by the pagan cultures around them. Christians today must be vigilant against cultural influences that lead us away from biblical truth. The Need for Godly LeadershipThe absence of strong, godly leadership led to Israel's moral decline. We should pray for and support leaders who uphold biblical values. The Cycle of Sin and RepentanceThe cycle in Judges serves as a warning against complacency in our spiritual lives. Regular self-examination and repentance are crucial. The Stubbornness of Sinful NatureThe Israelites' refusal to give up their evil practices reflects the stubbornness of human sinfulness. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the cycle of sin and repentance in Judges 2:19 reflect patterns in your own spiritual life, and what steps can you take to break these cycles? 2. In what ways do the cultural influences around you challenge your faith, and how can you guard against them? 3. Reflect on a time when godly leadership positively impacted your spiritual journey. How can you support and encourage such leadership in your community? 4. How does the Israelites' forgetfulness of God's deliverance challenge you to remember and recount God's faithfulness in your life? 5. Considering the stubbornness of the Israelites, what practical steps can you take to ensure your heart remains open and responsive to God's leading? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 32The Israelites' worship of the golden calf parallels their repeated return to idolatry in Judges. 1 Samuel 8The Israelites' demand for a king reflects their ongoing struggle with faithfulness to God, similar to their behavior in Judges. 2 Kings 17The fall of Israel due to persistent idolatry and disobedience echoes the themes of Judges. Romans 1Paul's description of humanity's tendency to turn away from God and worship created things rather than the Creator mirrors the Israelites' actions. Hebrews 3The warning against hardening hearts as the Israelites did in the wilderness is relevant to their stubbornness in Judges. People Israelites, Joshua, NunPlaces Bochim, Egypt, Gaash, Gilgal, Timnath-heresTopics Abandon, Act, Behaved, Bow, Bowing, Cease, Ceased, Corrupt, Corrupted, Corruptly, Dead, Dealt, Death, Didn't, Died, Doings, Drop, Evil, Fallen, Fathers, Giving, Gods, Hard-hearted, Judge, Nothing, Pass, Practices, Refused, Returned, Servants, Serve, Serving, Sins, Stiff, Stubborn, Themselves, Turn, Undone, Whenever, Worse, Worship, Worshiping, WorshippersDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 2:19 5873 habits
6021 sin, nature of
6130 corruption
6195 impenitence, results
6245 stubbornness Judges 2:6-23 8705 apostasy, in OT Judges 2:10-19 8151 revival, corporate Judges 2:10-23 8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Judges 2:16-19 5358 judges Judges 2:19-20 5790 anger, divine 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 ScriptureIsrael'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 Links Judges 2:19 NIVJudges 2:19 NLTJudges 2:19 ESVJudges 2:19 NASBJudges 2:19 KJV
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