Judges 3:1-6

A new era had dawned among God’s people. Instead of a single leader like Moses or Joshua they were now to be led by a succession of men and women who acted as deliverers as God’s people found themselves in difficulty after difficulty.

These various challenges were not accidental nor unexpected.

In Judges 2:20-3:6 the LORD reveals that He intends to leave the nations occupying Canaan as a ‘test’ for Israel.

Twice the author reminds us that the LORD left these nations to discover if Israel would “keep the LORD’s commandments” as their ancestors had.

The LORD also used these nations to teach a generation of men and women how to do battle God’s way (see Judges 3:1).

God’s Purposes

If a classroom teacher announces a ‘test’ those in class would assume that the teacher had provided the information necessary.

Judges 2:22 (HCSB)

I did this to test Israel and to see whether they would keep the Lord’s way by walking in it, as their fathers had.”

Judges 3:4 (HCSB)

The Lord left them to test Israel, to determine if they would keep the Lord’s commands He had given their fathers through Moses.

The ‘way’ of the LORD, the commandments the LORD had given are expressions of God’s ultimate purpose.

From the call of Abraham through the generation that ‘did not know the LORD or the works He had done for Israel’ God’s purpose had been clear.

Genesis 12:1–3 (HCSB)

The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

As Moses led Abraham’s descendants from Egypt to the mountain of God, God clearly expresses His purpose for His people:

Exodus 19:3–6 (HCSB)

Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob, and explain to the Israelites: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me. Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

Moses would remind the generation born and raised in the wilderness of this purpose:

Deuteronomy 9:4–5 (HCSB)

When the Lord your God drives them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘The Lord brought me in to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.’ Instead, the Lord will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness. You are not going to take possession of their land because of your righteousness or your integrity. Instead, the Lord your God will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness, in order to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God was not simply exterminating nations without cause. Those nations inhabiting the land God had promised to Abraham’s descendants had rejected God. Their worship of idols reflected a way of understanding the world that was clearly opposite of God’s truth.

God’s purpose for His people was/is to clearly make Him known. Living by His commands, choosing to live by following the ‘ways’ of the LORD clearly reveal God’s standard of righteousness.

So, instead of driving out the nations - exercising God’s right of judgment - He left those nations to determine just how devoted to God’s purposes this new generation would be.

TEST RESULTS

The test was given.

The results are in:

They ‘settled’ among the peoples of the land

The Hebrew word translated ‘settle’ is the simple word - to dwell, inhabit.’

The same word is used to describe the way God intends to be with His people:

Exodus 29:45 HCSB

I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.

Numbers 35:34 HCSB

Do not make the land unclean where you live and where I reside; for I, Yahweh, reside among the Israelites.”

Though written much later in the story of God’s people the psalmist asks:

Psalm 15:1 HCSB

Lord, who can dwell in Your tent? Who can live on Your holy mountain?

The author of the 15th Psalm sings the answer:

Psalm 15:2–3 (HCSB)

The one who lives honestly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart — who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor,

If God’s intention is to ‘dwell’ among His people, how can they choose to ‘dwell’ among a people whose lives contrary to God’s purposes and ways?

Judges 3:6 (HCSB)

The Israelites took their daughters as wives for themselves, gave their own daughters to their sons, and worshiped their gods.

‘Settling’ tells us that the people of God were willing to tolerate the idolatry of those living in the land.

This next indication points to an even further drift from the ways and commands of God.

To ‘give’ their daughters in marriage and to receive the daughters of the idolaters points ta clear loss of distinctions between the people of God and the people of the land.

(Note: This is not a racial issue. It is a religious issue)

they ‘worshiped’ their gods

In a clear rejection of God’s commands, a clear rejection of God’s ways the people of God chose to serve/minister to the pagan gods.

REFLECT AND RESPOND

It is early enough in 2024 to make different decisions about the year ahead.

The book of Judges illustrates a cycle of life that God never intended to be the pattern.

Judges 2:18–19 (HCSB)

Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for the Israelites, the Lord was with him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive. The Lord was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them. Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, going after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn from their evil practices or their obstinate ways.

There is a way to break this pattern.

God is