18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.
The book of Judges, which is believed to have been written by the prophet Samuel around 1050 – 1000 BC, presents us with a sad and turbulent period in Israel’s history. The victorious Book of Joshua that precedes it, is a dramatic contrast to the downward spiral of sin and its degradation that happens in the Book of Judges. Judges shows the failure that sin can bring into our lives, and thus we cannot conquer our enemies, claim our inheritance, and how this has a huge effect on our lives and relationship with God.
There are key verses in Judges that sum up the in cycle: " But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways." Judges 2:19""In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." (Judges 17:6 & 21:25)
There was a repeated cycle throughout the entire book – a cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, devotion, followed by sin and bondage again. Israel would follow the Lord when there was a leader who reminded them of the ways in which they should walk, but with his death they again wandered off following other gods and their own desires. God would then allow an enemy of Israel to conquer the people so that, through desperation (unfortunately) they would again look to Him.
The cycle of sin is unfortunately evident in many Christian lives today. Maybe it is one enemy, or one particular area of weakness that consistently drags you down into bondage. Maybe compromise has allowed the temptation of the enemy to have far too great an influence in our life, leading to wanting more of the world and the deception of sin. Judges is a book that teaches us both how one becomes a captive to the enemy, and also how to get out of that bondage. And in doing so, it then teaches us how to break the cycle of sin. If I am honest, the message of Judges is a wake up call, a reality check for sin. It is a warning of what can happen once I become comfortable and begin to compromise with the enemy. It is 'sin' post, and a danger signal of the perils that can lie ahead in my Christian life.
This Lenten Season, I read the Book of Judges and ask God to reveal sin in my life.
Dear God, my hope is in You alone. May I praise You for your mercies that are new every morning and I give thanks for all you have given me. God of abundance, help me live today trusting there will be enough for tomorrow. Your creative resources have no end. Teach me to share, recognizing that everything belongs to You. Amen
