and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.' Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? And you are not to make a covenantThe phrase "make a covenant" in Hebrew is "karat berit," which literally means "to cut a covenant." This reflects the ancient practice of cutting animals in two and passing between the pieces as a solemn agreement. In the context of Judges, God is reminding the Israelites of His command not to enter into agreements with the Canaanites. Historically, covenants were binding and often involved mutual obligations. The Israelites were to remain distinct and separate, preserving their identity and faithfulness to God. This command underscores the importance of spiritual purity and the dangers of syncretism, where blending with pagan practices could lead to idolatry and moral compromise. with the people of this land
The "people of this land" refers to the Canaanites, the original inhabitants of the Promised Land. These people were known for their idolatrous practices and moral corruption, which were abominations in the sight of the Lord. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes. Historically, the Canaanites' influence was pervasive, and their religious practices were deeply entrenched in the land. The command not to make a covenant with them was a protective measure to prevent the Israelites from being led astray. but you shall tear down their altars
The directive to "tear down their altars" is a call to action against idolatry. Altars were central to Canaanite worship, often dedicated to false gods like Baal and Asherah. The Hebrew word for "tear down" is "haras," which implies a complete destruction. This command signifies the need for the Israelites to actively remove any temptation or influence that could lead them away from worshiping the one true God. Spiritually, it represents the call for believers to eliminate anything in their lives that competes with their devotion to God. Historically, this was a radical and counter-cultural act, demonstrating the Israelites' allegiance to God over the prevailing cultural norms. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were commanded to conquer the land of Canaan and remain faithful to God's covenant. 2. The CanaanitesThe inhabitants of the land whom the Israelites were instructed not to make covenants with, due to their idolatrous practices. 3. The Angel of the LORDA divine messenger who delivers God's rebuke to the Israelites for their disobedience. 4. CanaanThe Promised Land, which the Israelites were to inhabit and purify from idolatry. 5. AltarsStructures used for worship, which the Israelites were commanded to destroy to prevent idolatry. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites' failure to obey God's command to destroy the altars led to spiritual compromise. Believers today must prioritize obedience to God's Word to avoid spiritual pitfalls. The Danger of CompromiseMaking covenants with the Canaanites symbolizes compromising with worldly values. Christians are called to stand firm in their faith and not conform to the patterns of this world. The Importance of Spiritual PurityJust as the Israelites were to tear down altars, believers must actively remove anything in their lives that competes with their devotion to God. Consequences of DisobedienceThe Israelites' disobedience led to negative consequences, serving as a warning that disobedience to God can lead to spiritual decline and loss of blessings. God's Call to RepentanceDespite their disobedience, God continually calls His people to repentance and restoration, offering hope and renewal through His grace. Bible Study Questions 1. What specific commands did God give the Israelites regarding the inhabitants of Canaan, and how does this relate to the concept of spiritual separation today? 2. How can believers identify and "tear down" modern-day altars or idols in their lives that may hinder their relationship with God? 3. In what ways might Christians today be tempted to make "covenants" with worldly values, and how can they resist these temptations? 4. Reflect on a time when disobedience to God's Word led to negative consequences in your life. What did you learn from that experience? 5. How can the message of repentance and restoration in Judges 2:2 encourage believers who have strayed from God's commands? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 23:32-33God commands the Israelites not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the land, emphasizing the need for separation from idolatry. Deuteronomy 7:2-5Reinforces the command to destroy the altars and avoid intermarriage with the Canaanites to prevent turning away from God. Psalm 106:34-36Reflects on Israel's failure to destroy the nations and their subsequent idolatry. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17Paul advises believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, echoing the call for separation from idolatry. People Israelites, Joshua, NunPlaces Bochim, Egypt, Gaash, Gilgal, Timnath-heresTopics Age, Agreement, Altars, Break, Bring, Broken, Cause, Command, Covenant, Disobeyed, Ear, Egypt, Fathers, Hearkened, Inhabitants, League, Listened, Obeyed, Sworn, Tear, Throw, Voice, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 2:2 7530 foreigners Judges 2:1-3 4540 weeds
5607 warfare, examples
7259 promised land, later history Judges 2:1-4 4140 angel of the Lord Judges 2:1-5 7435 sacrifice, in OT 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 2:2 NIVJudges 2:2 NLTJudges 2:2 ESVJudges 2:2 NASBJudges 2:2 KJV
Judges 2:2 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
