YEAR 2, WEEK 25, Day 6, Saturday, 21 June 2025

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Judges+2

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Saturday, 21 June 2025:

Judges 2:1–2 — Now the angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, “I brought you up from Egypt and brought you into the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?”

Throughout the Book of Judges, a mysterious figure referred to as “the angel of the Lord” appears repeatedly, speaking and acting with divine authority. This figure is not merely an angelic messenger, but often speaks as God, not for God:

Judges 6:11–24 – The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, and after a conversation, Gideon cries out in fear: “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face” (v. 22). The Lord replies, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die” (v. 23). This echoes earlier divine encounters like Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3) and Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32:30).

These appearances are not just divine messages—they are divine manifestations. To understand what is happening in Judges, it’s important to define two theological terms:

Theophany (from the Greek theos = God, phaino = appear) refers to a visible or tangible manifestation of God to human beings. These are rare and dramatic moments in which God makes His presence known—often in the form of fire, cloud, or a figure.
Christophany is a specific type of theophany—an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ (the eternal Son of God) before His birth in Bethlehem. Unlike theophanies where God appears in symbolic form (e.g., a burning bush), Christophanies involve God appearing in human or angelic form, with personal interaction and authority.

Many Bible scholars and theologians (including Charles Spurgeon) believe that the “angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament, especially in Judges, is a Christophany—the eternal Son of God appearing before His incarnation. Charles Spurgeon commented on Judges 2:1 and the identity of the angel of the Lord: “The angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and he said, ‘I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers.’ This could not have been said by a mere angel; it must have been the very God of the covenant himself…. This angel of the Lord is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, and there are many instances where it is plain that he is no created angel, but the uncreated Son of God, the second person of the blessed Trinity.”

In light of this, when the angel of the Lord appears in Judges, He is not merely a heavenly servant. He is the Lord Himself—specifically, the eternal Word who would one day take on flesh and dwell among us (John 1:1, 14).

These encounters remind us that Christ’s involvement in human history did not begin in Bethlehem—it began before the foundation of the world, and we see glimpses of His eternal role even in the days of the Judges.

God confronts Israel’s disobedience directly, reminding them of His covenant faithfulness and their covenant unfaithfulness. Despite God’s clear commands and miraculous deliverance, Israel chose compromise over commitment. The people’s failure was not ignorance, but defiance—they refused to break down pagan altars, choosing coexistence over obedience. This set the stage for spiritual decay. God’s faithfulness does not nullify human responsibility. Christians today must take seriously God’s commands to separate from sin and not negotiate with compromise.

James 4:4 — “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?”
2 Corinthians 6:17 — “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord.”

Judges 2:3–5 — “So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”

Disobedience has consequences. What Israel tolerated would come to torment them. God’s judgment is just: they would live with the results of their choices. This is not punitive pettiness; it is divine discipline to awaken repentance. When believers today allow idols, habits, or worldly influences to remain, those very things eventually ensnare the heart. Partial obedience invites spiritual bondage.

Galatians 6:7 — Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

God’s punishment for sake of their repentance was to give them what they wanted. Have you ever considered that, quite often, God’s answer to your prayers has been to not give you what you wanted in order to protect you from the consequences of your unchecked desires? Not that all of your desires are directly rebellious as were the Israelites here – you might have prayed for things which seemed completely aligned to God’s will with no apparent answer. However, in His perfect Sovereignty and perfect love, God answered your prayer the way you would have prayed it if you could have known all He knows and could love as much as He loves. Temptation begins when Satan tries to convince you that the “forbidden fruit,” the one thing God has not permitted you have in the midst of great abundance, is not a divine protection but a withheld blessing from a god who isn’t perfectly good. Trust that God’s answers are perfect though you might not understand them or even want them. One day you understand that God’s “No,” or “Not yet,” is the answer you really wanted but didn’t know it at the time.

Judges 2:4 — As soon as the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the people of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept.

Being sorrowful because you are being punished is not the same as being repentant. God knows the difference and knows your heart.

Judges 2:6–10 — And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.

After Joshua’s generation passed, the next failed to know the Lord or His works. The failure to disciple the next generation led to a rapid spiritual collapse. A single generational gap in obedience and remembrance brought idolatry. This warns the church today: if we fail to pass on not just knowledge of God, but love and fear of Him, we invite decline. Discipleship is generational stewardship.

Psalm 78:6–7 — That the next generation might know them… so that they should set their hope in God.

Judges 2:11, 12 — And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals…. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them…. And they provoked the Lord to anger.

The Israelites compromised with the pagan culture and became more influenced than an influence. The greatest risk to God’s people is syncretism, the blending of belief systems. God is Holy and demands holiness from His people. We cannot allow popular culture to tarnish our fidelity.

Idolatry fills the void when God is forgotten. Israel not only neglected God—they actively replaced Him with false gods. This is spiritual adultery. The anger of the Lord burned not because He is insecure, but because His people were destroying themselves and their purpose. God’s response is judgment and discipline: He removes His protective hand so they may feel the weight of their sin. He gives them into the hands of oppressors not out of cruelty but redemptive intent. Love that does not discipline is not love.

Hebrews 12:6 — For the Lord disciplines the one he loves.

Judges 2:15 — Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm, as the Lord had warned, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress.

When we join with the world, we make ourselves practical enemies of God, fighting against His will – “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters (Luke 11:23). God cannot support sinfulness.

Judges 2:17 — …for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them.

The Bible calls the church (us) the bride of Christ. Likewise, the Bible compares our unfaithfulness to God with adultery and prostitution. Do you see your sin this way? Do you see God’s forgiveness from the perspective of an adulterer? Do you understand the magnitude of grace you have received? How do you respond to such love?

Judges 2:16–19 — Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them… Yet they did not listen…

God’s mercy shines through their rebellion. He raises up deliverers even though the people continually return to sin. The pattern becomes clear: rebellion, oppression, repentance, rescue—and then relapse. Israel’s repentance is shallow, driven more by discomfort than devotion. Still, God intervenes. His love is patient, but He longs for true transformation. Christians should not confuse remorse for repentance. God desires a heart that turns to Him, not just away from pain.

2 Corinthians 7:10 — Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret.

Judges 2:18 — For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them.

In His anger, God still has a heart for the sinner and seeks reconciliation.

Judges 2:19 — But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers.

There are two types of discipline: internal discipline (self-control), and external discipline (law and authority). God expects Christians to have internal discipline (self-control being the last fruit of the Spirit), not requiring external laws and authority to control them. When people lack internal discipline, they require external discipline to keep them in line. Remove external discipline and you will discover what is truly in someone’s heart. The Israelites revealed their rebellious hearts whenever external disciplines were removed, proving that God could not trust them to obey from the heart. God disciplined the Israelites with foreign enemies to draw them back to Him. What does God have to do to keep you focused on Him and to keep you disciplined?

Judges 2:20–23 — So the anger of the Lord was kindled… He did not drive them out quickly…

God chooses to leave the pagan nations in place, not to bless Israel but to test them. This is divine discipline—He allows adversity to expose and purify their hearts. Trials reveal what comfort conceals. When God seems distant or when enemies remain, it may be that God is revealing what’s truly in our hearts. These tests are opportunities to prove love through obedience.

James 1:2–3 — “Count it all joy… when you meet trials… for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 21 June 2025: God’s people tolerated what they were commanded to destroy. That tolerance became torment. What have you allowed to coexist with your faith? Are there attitudes, habits, relationships, or compromises you’ve let remain for convenience or comfort? Don’t let “little sins” grow into spiritual strongholds. Repent today. Identify one area where partial obedience has replaced full surrender—and tear it down.

Pray: “Lord, I confess that I have allowed things into my life that You told me to remove. Forgive me for settling for partial obedience. I want to know You, love You, and serve You with my whole heart. Teach me to walk faithfully and to pass on Your truth to others. Break the cycle of rebellion in me. Restore me to full devotion. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Share this:

Related

Leave a comment Cancel reply