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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

In Judges, chapter one, verse twenty-eight, Joshua had destroyed many of the Canaanites. Yet after his death, a considerable number remained in the land as described in verse one, verses twenty-eight through thirty and thirty-two to thirty-three, thirty-five, of the same chapter, respectively. God had commanded Israel to drive out the Canaanites entirely because of

In Joshua, chapter twenty-four, verse twenty-five, the renewal of the covenant between the Lord and Israel involved a twofold commitment. God committed Himself to take care of His people, and the Israelites committed themselves to serve the Lord God alone. It was a permanent and binding contract between God and Israel.  Under the new covenant

In Joshua, chapter twenty-four, verse sixteen, the promise of the people to serve only the Lord was to keep, but only as long as Joshua and the elders lived. Not long after Joshua’s death, the people forsook the Lord and began serving other gods. Joshua was the leader of the people since taking over the

In Joshua, chapter twenty-four, verse fifteen, Joshua speaks to the children of Israel regarding who they will decide to serve. Inherent in the salvation provided by God is the issue of personal choice. Each believer must continually choose whom they will honor. Joshua and the Israelites serving the Lord is not merely a one-time choice.

In Joshua, chapter twenty-four, verse one, at the end of His life, Joshua called all the people together one final time to lead them in a ceremony of covenant renewal: in which they committed themselves to serve the Lord in faithfulness and loyal devotion. He did not focus on himself as their leader. However, he