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In Judges, chapter three, verse ten, Israel has fallen into captivity under a foreign king because of their sinfulness and unfaithfulness to God in chapter three, verses seven through eight. Finally, after eight years of slavery, the people cried out to the Lord for help. The Lord has raised a “deliverer” in verse nine of […]

In Judges, chapter three, verse seven, Israel went through several cycles of apostasy, bondage, calling out to God, God’s deliverance, and falling away again. There are a few truths revealed in these events. The natural direction of God’s people, even after revival and restoration, is a spiritual decline again. Only faith, sincere gratitude, a persistent

In Judges, chapter three, verse six, Israel’s syncretism of Canaanite culture through intermarriage nearly destroyed their identity as distinct people of God. Such intermarriage God forbid by Israel’s covenant with Him. Exodus thirty-four, fifteen through sixteen, “Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants, and they go a whoring after their gods and do sacrifice

In Judges, chapter two, verse nineteen, again, the failure of many of God’s chosen people to remain faithful to Him and His Word is a recurring theme throughout Biblical history. The Old Testament reveals God’s people repeatedly turning from His love, righteousness, forgiveness, and revelation. Some noteworthy examples are the rejection of God’s will by

In Judges, chapter two, verse nineteen, reveals a progressive deterioration in Israel. An escalation of backsliding and hardness of heart characterize each successive generation. Similarly, second and third-generation believers under the new covenant should ask themselves if they are committed to God as was the generation that preceded them. Or are they conforming more and

In Judges, chapter two, verse seventeen, the understanding of the fundamental nature of Israel’s spiritual decline is in verses ten through seventeen. During the time of the judges, the new generation of Israelites departed from the ways and teachings of their fathers. They forsook their covenant relationship with God and turned to evil. They began

In Judge, chapter two, verse thirteen, Baal, a chief god worshipped by the Canaanites, was a god of fertility, rain, and vegetation. Baal worship included cult prostitution and child sacrifice. Israel’s compromise with Baalism received condemnation from the prophets. Ashtaroth, the goddess of war and fertility and the female consort of Baal, was depicted by

In Judges, chapter two, verse ten, the cyclical pattern of spiritual decline and renewal began with the passing of the generation that had taken the promised land and the emergence of a new generation of Israelites. The pattern reflected revolves around the new generation drifting from the righteous commitment of their fathers and departing from

In Judges, chapter two, verse three, our failure to seek God earnestly and to follow His righteous ways will cause Him to withdraw His help, power, and protection from our lives. The Israelite’s failure to continue on the righteous path is due to compromise. They started their journey in obedience by following the instruction from

In Judges, chapter two, verse two, Israel’s disobedience caused God’s refusal to help them drive out the enemy due to their failure to be a separated and holy people who detested the evil ways of the pagan people around them. Since the Israelites tolerated the lifestyle of the ungodly, it would be a problem to