Judg 2 | MHM | STEP | Judges 2:1−5: An Angel Rebukes the Israelites In this passage, an angel of the L ORD delivers a strong message to all the Israelites, rebuking them for their disobedience. The message serves as both a warning and a reminder of God′s faithfulness. Although God had brought them out of Egypt and fulfilled His promises, the Israelites failed to follow His commands by making peace with the Canaanites and allowing idolatry to remain in the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices in response to the rebuke, showing some repentance, but their future actions reveal that their sorrow was not followed by true reform. v.1 : The angel of the L ORD came from Gilgal to deliver this message. Some believe this was not a created angel but the Angel of the Covenant—Christ Himself—because the angel speaks as God, saying, "I made you to go up out of Egypt." Gilgal was a significant place where the Israelites had experienced God's blessings and renewed their covenant through circumcision ( v. 1; Micah 6:5 ; Revelation 3:2,3 ).

‏ Judges 2

Judges 2:1−5: An Angel Rebukes the Israelites

In this passage, an angel of the LORD delivers a strong message to all the Israelites, rebuking them for their disobedience. The message serves as both a warning and a reminder of God′s faithfulness. Although God had brought them out of Egypt and fulfilled His promises, the Israelites failed to follow His commands by making peace with the Canaanites and allowing idolatry to remain in the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices in response to the rebuke, showing some repentance, but their future actions reveal that their sorrow was not followed by true reform.

v.1: The angel of the LORD came from Gilgal to deliver this message. Some believe this was not a created angel but the Angel of the Covenant—Christ Himself—because the angel speaks as God, saying, "I made you to go up out of Egypt." Gilgal was a significant place where the Israelites had experienced God's blessings and renewed their covenant through circumcision (v.1; Micah 6:5 ^a; Revelation 3:2,3 ^b).

v. 2: The angel reminded the people of God's covenant and His expectation that they destroy the altars and idols of the Canaanites. Instead, they made compromises, forming alliances with the Canaanites and allowing idolatry to remain. God rebuked their disobedience, asking, "Why have you done this?" This question highlights their failure to follow His clear and reasonable commands (v.2 ^c).

v. 3: Because of their disobedience, God declared that He would no longer drive out the Canaanites. Instead, the Canaanites would remain as a source of trouble, becoming "thorns in your sides" and leading the Israelites into sin through their false gods. This punishment made their sin its own consequence, as they would face constant temptation and suffering (v.3 ^d).

v. 4: Hearing this rebuke, the Israelites lifted their voices and wept. They confessed their sins and expressed sorrow for their actions. They seemed to regret their disobedience and feared the consequences of God's judgment (v.4 ^e).

v. 5: The place where this rebuke occurred was named Bochim, meaning "Weepers," to mark the sorrow of the people. There, they offered sacrifices to the LORD, seeking His forgiveness and favor. However, while their weeping showed that they were affected by the message, the later story reveals that their repentance was not deep enough to result in lasting change (v.5 ^f).

Reflection: This passage reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, but He also expects obedience from His people. The Israelites' failure to fully follow God's commands led to ongoing struggles and temptations. Their weeping shows that they felt convicted, but true repentance involves both sorrow for sin and a commitment to change. This story challenges us to trust God's instructions completely and avoid compromises that lead to sin.

The Faithfulness and Apostasy of Israel

This section describes what happened after Joshua dismissed the Israelites. It explains how the people served the Lord in Joshua's time, but soon turned away from God after his death. The commentary shows the importance of faithful leaders, and warns about what happens when people forget God's works and follow other gods.

v. 6: After Joshua let the people go, each tribe of Israel took possession of its own land as promised by God (Joshua 24:28 ^g). The people were settled and had peace in their inheritance.

v. 7: The Israelites served the Lord all the days of Joshua and also during the lifetime of the elders who outlived him. These elders remembered all the great works that the Lord had done for Israel, like bringing them out of Egypt and giving them victory in Canaan (Joshua 24:31 ^h). Their memory kept the people faithful.

v. 8: Then Joshua, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. His long and faithful life ended, and he left a good example for others to follow (Joshua 24:29 ⁱ).

v. 9: Joshua was buried in the territory of his inheritance at Timnath-heres in the hill country of Ephraim. This was a special place given to him by God (Joshua 24:30 ^j).

v. 10: After that whole generation died, another generation grew up who did not know the Lord or remember what he had done for Israel. This shows how quickly people can forget God's blessings if they are not taught and reminded.

v. 11: The Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord. They began to serve the Baals, the gods of the Canaanites. This was a turning away from God, and it was the beginning of many troubles.

v. 12: They abandoned the Lord, who had brought them out of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the peoples around them. They provoked the Lord to anger by choosing idols over Him.

v. 13: They forsook the Lord and worshipped Baal and Ashtaroth, which was both foolish and sinful.

v. 14: The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. He allowed them to be defeated by their enemies and plundered by those around them. They could not stand against their foes, because they had broken their covenant with God.

v. 15: Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm, as He had warned and sworn to them. This caused great distress among the people.

v. 16: Even so, the Lord raised up judges to deliver them from their enemies. But even then, they did not always listen or obey the judges.

v. 17: Instead, they quickly turned aside from the way their ancestors had walked, disobeying the commandments of the Lord. They were stubborn and did not remain faithful.

v. 18: When the Lord raised up judges, He was with them and saved the people from their enemies as long as the judge lived. The Lord had compassion on them when they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them.

v. 19: But after the judge died, they returned to their evil ways, becoming even more corrupt than before. They did not stop their stubborn and sinful actions.

v. 20: The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel because they broke His covenant and did not obey His voice.

v. 21: Therefore, the Lord said He would not drive out the nations left by Joshua. These nations would remain as a test for Israel.

v. 22: Through these nations, the Lord tested Israel to see if they would keep His ways and commandments as their ancestors did.

v. 23: The Lord allowed these nations to remain, not driving them out quickly, nor giving them into Joshua's hand. This was both a punishment and a test for Israel.