Judges 2:11-23
Summary for Judg 2:11-13: 2:11-13 a Israel rebelled against the Lord and began serving the gods of their neighbors, especially the Canaanite deities Baal and Asherah.• Baal means “lord”; Ashtoreth might be a Hebrew form of the Canaanite “Astarte,” a goddess with various manifestations. See also 6:25-32 b and study notes.
Summary for Judg 2:14-15: 2:14-15 c As Israel served other gods, God withdrew his support. Their rebellion brought great distress from military defeat by their enemies.
2:15 d God was not simply absent; he was actively involved in Israel’s defeat, and the outcome of the battle belonged to the Lord (cp. 2 Chr 20:15 e).
Summary for Judg 2:16-19: 2:16-19 f The Lord raised up judges whose leadership brought partial, temporary restoration. They were later described as “judging” Israel (e.g., 3:10 g; 4:4 h; 10:2-3 i), but they were primarily known for their military victories.
Summary for Judg 2:20-23: 2:20-23 j The remaining Canaanites and their religion would become a source of temptation to the Israelites, offering an alternative to faithfully following the Lord and his covenant ways. This result was known and even planned by God (cp. 3:4 k), but God does not deliberately set his people up to sin (Jas 1:12-15 l). Temptations abound, but the choice to obey God or yield to temptation rests with those who claim to know him. Israel had a duty to possess the land fully, but God, not humankind, determines victory or failure.
Copyright information for
TNotes