When Faith Fades

Judges 2:10–18 KJV 1900

10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim: 12 And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. 13 And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. 14 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. 15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. 16 Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. 17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so. 18 And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

Message Summary: Judges 2:10–19 Judges 2:10-19 warns that faith in God fades when forgotten, leading to cycles of defeat. Faith must be intentionally taught and guarded, resisting sin and remembering God’s faithfulness.

Introduction

One of the things you learn when being warmed by a fireplace, is that its warmth will gradually fade out, if the fire is not attended, the embers stoked, and new logs added to the pile.

Some things do not collapse in an instant, they fade over time. Paint on a house does not lose its color overnight; the sun and weather dull it over years. A strong rope does not snap suddenly; it frays strand by strand until it loses its strength.

Faith is the same way. In most cases, it does not die in one moment, it fades. It fades when we stop remembering God’s Word, stop rehearsing God’s works, and stop walking in God’s ways.

The Book of Judges is the 7th book in the Old Testament; made of 21 chapters, and drops us into one of the darkest chapters in Israel’s history. This book has stories which rival Shonda Rimes television dramas:

Comedy and Irony: Ehud the Left-Handed Assassin (Judges 3:12–30), Samson and the Jawbone of a Donkey (Judges 15:15–16)

Seduction and Betrayal: Samson and Delilah (Judges 16) Gideon’s Concubine & Abimelech’s Rise (Judges 8–9)

Espionage and Betrayal: Jael & Sisera (Judges 4:17–22), Gideon’s Espionage at Midian’s Camp (Judges 7:9–15)

Military Strategy & Power plays: Gideon’s 300 (Judges 7), Jephthah’s Diplomacy and Rash Vow (Judges 11), Samson’s Guerrilla Warfare (Judges 14–16)

Dark Drama: The Levite’s Concubine (Judges 19)

The generation under Joshua had seen God’s power firsthand. They had watched Jericho’s walls crumble, the Jordan River part, and the sun stand still. They knew the Lord personally.

But by Judges 2:10, we read these chilling words:

“There arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

This was not ignorance of His name; it was the absence of relationship. They had no firsthand experience of His power, and they had not been taught to value His Word.

Joshua shows how the people are blessed from a reverencing God.

Judges shows the problems that stem from rejecting God.

Judges 2 gives us the cycle that would dominate the next 300 years:

Rebellion – Israel forsakes the Lord for idols.

Retribution – God allows enemies to oppress them.

Repentance – They cry out in distress.

Rescue – God raises up a judge to deliver them.

Beloved, this is not just ancient history. It is a warning for us in 2025. If faith fades in our homes, in our churches, or in our own hearts, destruction follows. But there is hope — because the same God who judged also restored.

I. The Forgetfulness that Weakens Faith (2: 10–13)

“And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD…” (v. 10)

Faith is never more than one generation away from extinction. Joshua’s generation had experienced the Red Sea, Mount Sinai, and the conquest of Canaan — but they failed to pass that faith down in such a way that the next generation owned it for themselves.

A. Forgot God’s Person (Judges 2:10-11)

Judges 2:10–11 KJV 1900

10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim:

“And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers…” — The book of Judges marks another transition in Israel’s history. The book of Joshua began with the passing of Moses and the death of the generation that was born in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, yet perished in the wilderness. Now Judges opens with the death of Joshua and the generation that was born in the wilderness, crossed the Jordan River, and died in Canaan.

“And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”  With the passing of the faithful came a new and more irreverent generation. They were new, but certainly not better. The tragedy of Israel is the tragedy of our culture today: younger does not always mean better.

The problem was not that this generation had no information about the Lord; it was that they had no relationship with Him. You can know about God and still not truly know Him. They lived under the blessings of God’s mighty acts, but they had no memory of Him. They saw memorial stones, altars for sacrifice, a tabernacle for worship, and heard the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4–9 for instruction, yet they had no conscious appreciation for God’s glory in their lives.

To “know” the Lord in Scripture means more than head knowledge. It speaks of intimacy, trust, and obedience. This is why Jesus said in John 17:3, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Faith fades when the Bible is left to gather dust, when prayer becomes empty formality, and when worship is reduced to ritual. If you do not feed your faith, you will starve it. Many who once started strong have fallen away, not because God failed, but because they neglected the things of God and were distracted by the ways of the world.

KJV Cross-References:

Hosea 4:6 “6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

Jeremiah 9:23–24 “23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Neither let the mighty man glory in his might, Let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, That he understandeth and knoweth me, That I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: For in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

Philippians 3:10 “10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

Psalm 100:3 “3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

B. Forsook God’s Protection (Judges 2:12-13)

Judges 2:12–13 KJV 1900

12 And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. 13 And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

Their relational apathy led them into rank apostasy. Scripture says, “They knew not…the works which he had done for Israel.” Forgetfulness is fatal to faith. When you fail to rehearse what God has done, you will soon stop trusting what He can do. Because Israel neglected to keep in their hearts and minds the mighty works of the Lord, and refused to build a relationship of faithful adherence to His Word, they drifted away from Him and slipped into idol worship.

“And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them.” The word forsook means to leave behind, and in most translations it is rendered abandoned. It suggests that they moved on with life, but left God behind, replacing Him with false gods. The very God who had providentially freed them, provided for them, protected them, and promoted them was no longer considered good enough. They desired new gods while abandoning the true and living God.

“…of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them.” The chosen people of Israel, whose very existence demonstrated the grace and goodness of God, now desired to be like the nations God had sent them to conquer. Imagine entering a land as victors and then choosing to bow before the defeated gods of losers. Instead of glorifying the Lord who had elevated them above their enemies, they lowered themselves by following their enemies. They did not simply desire these lesser gods—they bowed to them. This act of submission was a direct violation of God’s command in Exodus 20:3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” It echoed the nation’s earlier rebellion when they pushed Aaron to fashion a golden calf in the wilderness (Exodus 32:1). Their idolatry stood in stark contrast to the courage of the three Hebrew men who refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image (Daniel 3).

“And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.” They chose to worship Baal, the Canaanite god of the earth who was believed to bring prosperity and strength, and Ashtaroth, his female counterpart who represented fertility and life. Yet neither Baal nor Ashtaroth had ever provided for them, protected them, or sustained their lives. Imagine the absurdity of abandoning the true and living God—the God who alone provides, protects, and promotes—in exchange for lifeless idols who could not even protect the people they once ruled over.

And how many of us, brothers and sisters, are guilty of the same apostasy? We would never dare to say with our mouths, “I don’t want God anymore.” But our lives whisper it softly, day by day. We slowly neglect worship — first one Sunday, then another, until the sanctuary feels strange to us. We stop witnessing for Jesus — we no longer share the gospel with our neighbors, our coworkers, or even our own children. We drift away from the study of God’s Word — the Bible that once stayed open on the kitchen table now collects dust on the shelf.

It never happens all at once. It is little by little. A slow fade. A subtle drift. A gradual cooling. Until one day, without realizing it, we have forsaken the Lord and begun to follow other gods. Not Baal. Not Ashtaroth. But the gods of our age — the god of money, the god of pleasure, the god of popularity, the god of self. And before long, we bow to these idols with our time, our talent, and our treasure.

We may never say with our lips, “I don’t want God.” But our lives testify, “I don’t need God.”

We neglect worship — first one Sunday, then another, until absence feels normal and God’s house feels foreign. We stop witnessing — the gospel grows quiet on our tongues while the world grows louder in our ears. We drift from the Word — the same Bible that once fed our souls now gathers dust while we feed on everything else.

Apostasy is not always loud rebellion. Sometimes it is silent neglect. Sometimes it is spiritual apathy. Sometimes it is choosing comfort over commitment, leisure over loyalty, culture over Christ. It does not happen in one leap; it happens in little steps. A slow fade. A silent drift. A steady cooling. Apostasy is not always dramatic rebellion; sometimes it is quiet neglect. And when that happens, we are guilty of the same sin as Israel.

When comfort outranks commitment, that’s your god.

When culture outweighs Christ, that’s your god.

When leisure is loved more than loyalty, that’s your god.

So the question today is not whether you have built an altar of stone, but whether you have built an idol in your heart. Who really has your attention? Who really has your affection? Who really has your allegiance? Because whatever takes God’s place in your life becomes your god.

Keep a testimony journal. Tell your children and grandchildren the stories of God’s faithfulness. Share testimonies in worship. What you fail to remember, you will eventually replace.

The first step in the cycle is forgetting God. The second is even more dangerous, forsaking Him.

KJV Cross-References:

Psalm 103:2 “2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:”

Deuteronomy 6:12 “12 Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”

Psalm 78:7 “7 That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep his commandments:”

Lamentations 3:21–23 “21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

II. The Faithlessness that Wrecks Lives (Judges 2:14–15)

“And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel…” (v. 14)

When people forget God, they eventually forsake Him. And when they forsake Him, they fall under His discipline.

A. Idolatry Invited Trouble (Judges 2:14)

Judges 2:14 KJV 1900

14 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

Israel “forsook the LORD… and served Baal and Ashtaroth.” Idolatry is not just bowing to statues; it’s trusting anything more than God.

It’s possible to have a Bible in your hand and still have an idol in your heart.

“And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them…” - This is striking language that some would say is cruel, capricious, and callus on God’s part. We often embrace the truth of God’s mercy and grace, while rejecting the truth of His righteousness and holiness. The Bible is clear that God’s righteous anger can be kindled in response to man’s sinful straying, and deliberate disobedience.

Exodus 4:14 “14 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses,…

Numbers 11:1 “1 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them…

Psalm 7:11 “11 God judgeth the righteous, And God is angry with the wicked every day.”

Romans 1:18 “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

They chose to disobey God, and now they are presented with the consequences of their choice. God had warned them continually through Moses, and then Joshua about the consequences of idolatry. Despite the warnings they invited other gods into their hearts, and trouble into their lives.

We live in a culture that refuses accountability. Our world is filled with people who believe they deserve the best and only good things should come their way. These same people unfortunately believe they can act in complete rebellion to God, without any consequences. The truth is that we make our own choices, but we cannot choose the consequences.

Every child of grace whose sins have been forgiven must avoid the idol trap. Your idol could be money, reputation, relationships, or pleasure. Whatever you cannot live without; that is your god.

KJV Cross-References:

Exodus 20:3 “3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

Deuteronomy 29:27–28 “27 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book: 28 And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.”

1 John 5:21 “21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

Colossians 3:5 “5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

Matthew 6:24 “24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Romans 1:18 “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

B. Disobedience Invited Defeat (Judges 2:15)

Judges 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.

“Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was agains them for evil.” - The narrator of this Judges story uses anthropomorphic language when referencing “the hand of the Lord.” This is word imagery that conveys the idea of God actively working against His covenant people.

Because they turned to idols, God “delivered them into the hands of spoilers.” He allowed the very things they chased after to turn on them. When faith fades, defeat is inevitable, not because God is weak, but because we have stepped outside His covering (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Paul urged the believers in Galatia to remember to live for Christ because God will not be mocked, whatever a man soweth, that same shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).

Imagine the dismay they felt losing terribly, after winning for years, and defeating 31 different kings (Joshua 12). Now that Joshua has died and the flames of their faith have gone out, disaster continues to strike. A group that was accustomed to victory is now reduced to perpetual defeat. The favor has left the nation, because Godly-faith had left their hearts.

Look at the tragedy of being destroyed for the love of idols:

Chasing money but ending up in crushing debt,

Chasing popularity but feeling emptier. 

Chasing success but having an empty life.

Application: Avoid the disobedience trap. Do not expect God’s blessings while living in rebellion to His Word.

Transitional Statement: But here is the good news — even when Israel was unfaithful, God was still faithful.

KJV Cross-References:

Deuteronomy 28:15 “15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:”

James 4:4 “4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Galatians 6:7 “7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Psalm 81:11–12 “11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; And Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: And they walked in their own counsels.”

III. The Faithfulness that Offers Restoration (Judges 2:16–19)

“Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges…” (v. 16)

When God disciplines, He also delivers. The word “nevertheless” in verse 16 is the hinge of hope.

A. God’s Mercy Sends Deliverers (Judges 2:16-17)

Judges 2:16–17 KJV 1900

16 Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. 17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so.

“Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them…”

Here is the wonder of God’s grace — Israel had not repented, yet God still rescued. They did not retreat from their rebellion, yet God raised up a redeemer. They did not ask for forgiveness, yet God extended it anyway. They did not acknowledge their wrong, yet God demonstrated His love. This is mercy on display. This is grace in action.

The people were guilty, but God was gracious. The people were stubborn, but God was steadfast. The people were unfaithful, but God was unchanging. Hear me — God is not obligated to help, but He moves because of His covenant love. That is what makes grace so amazing.

The judges were not just political figures; they were God’s instruments of deliverance. Temporary saviors, raised up to pull Israel out of bondage. But they all point to a greater Deliverer. Israel had many judges who died, but we have one Savior who lives. Their judges could rescue the body, but Jesus rescues the soul. Their judges brought relief for a season, but Jesus brings redemption for eternity.

And here is the shout: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Before we could perform one act of righteousness, before we could lift one prayer of repentance, God gave His Son. Grace did not wait on us to get it right — grace came when we were still wrong. Mercy did not wait on us to turn back — mercy came and pulled us back. That is why we can say today: Salvation is not earned, salvation is given; not because of us, but in spite of us.

KJV Cross-References:

Lamentations 3:22 “22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”

Psalm 86:15 “15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Romans 5:8 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Application: Avoid the hopelessness trap. No matter how far you’ve fallen, God’s mercy is greater than your mess.

B. God’s Message Calls for Repentance (Judges 2:17-18)

Judges 2:17–18 KJV 1900

17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so. 18 And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

“And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them:” - Despite God’s grace unto them, they still refused to follow the voice of reason and redemption. This shows the stubbornness of sin and shows how far their hearts are from God. When faith fades, the slope towards destruction goes quickly. Turning away from the faith of their fathers, they forged a new path toward idolatry and sin.

Sadly, once each judge died, the people returned to corruption. Deliverance without discipleship is a short-term fix. We do not just need to be rescued; we need to be re-formed.

We should avoid the repeat trap. Do not treat God like a fire alarm; something you only reach for in emergencies. Walk with Him daily.

Illustration

A lighthouse keeper was given enough oil for one month to keep the light burning. During the month, people from the village came asking for oil for their lamps. Wanting to help, he gave it away little by little. By the final week, the lighthouse ran out of oil, and a ship wrecked on the rocks. The keeper had tried to be kind, but he forgot his main responsibility — to keep the light shining.

The primary responsibility of the church is to keep the light of faith burning for the next generation. If we let it fade, souls will be shipwrecked in sin.

Don’t allow the flame of faith go out, because others may lose their way. Keep the fire burning...

Keep the flame burning in the Nation — that the world may find their way to know Jesus saves.

Keep the flame burning in the home — that the children may know Jesus saves.

Keep the flame burning in the church — that the city may know Jesus saves.

Keep the flame burning in your hearts — that you may know Jesus saves.

Lead Me to Calvary

1 King of my life I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary.

Refrain: Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.

2 Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid, tenderly mourned and wept; angels in robes of light arrayed guarded Thee whilst Thou slept. [Refrain]

Conclusion & Invitation

Judges 2:10–19 is both a warning and a hope. Faith fades when we forget God, forsake Him, and follow idols. But faith is restored when we remember His works, repent of our sins, and return to Him with our whole hearts.

Today, God is still looking for people who will break the cycle — who will choose to stand strong in difficult days.

Invitation Appeals:

If your faith has grown cold, come and renew it today.

If you have forgotten God’s works, commit to remembering and rehearsing them daily.

If you have never known Him personally, come to Christ by faith.

Discussion Questions for Reflection

What specific actions can we take to ensure the next generation “knows the Lord” personally?

What idols — visible or invisible — threaten to steal our devotion to God?

How can we move from short-term repentance in crisis to a long-term walk in obedience?

KJV Cross-References:

2 Chronicles 7:14 “14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Luke 15:17–20 “17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

Hebrews 3:12–13 “12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Revelation 2:4–5 “4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”