JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:1 THE ANGEL OF THE LORD was God’s representative, speaking authoritatively to the people about their unfaithfulness (see note on Gen. 16:7). This angel may be the same one promised to Moses in Exodus 23:20, or it may have been an appearance of the Lord himself. I WILL NEVER B... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:2 Israel had disobeyed God’s commands. See Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:12; Deuteronomy 12:3. So these nations would BE A SNARE to them (e.g., by pagan rituals; Judges 8:27), just as God had warned (Exodus 23:33; Numbers 33:5 [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:5 THEY SACRIFICED THERE. The Israelites were apparently upset by God’s threats (v. Judges 2:4), and they responded by offering a sacrifice. If they were truly repenting of their sin, their repentance did not last long (see vv. Judges 2:11). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getEle... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:6__ The recurring downward cycle of history presented in Judges 2:16 is such that “whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt__ than their fathers” (Judges 2:19). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, i... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:11 THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL DID... EVIL. This clear statement about Israel’s wickedness recurs throughout the book (e.g., Judges 3:7; Judges 6:1; Judges 13:1). It is also repeated many times in 1–2 Kings, regarding the kings of Israel and Judah (e.g., 1 Kings 15:26, 1 Kings 15:34... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:13 ASHTAROTH is the plural of Ashtoreth, a goddess of fertility, love, and war closely associated with Baal (Judges 10:6; 1 Samuel 12:10). Ashtoreth is also known by her Greek name Astarte and in Mesopotamian texts as Ishtar. She should not be confused with Asherah (plural As... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:15 AS THE LORD HAD SWORN. See Deuteronomy 28:25; Joshua 23:13. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:16 THE LORD RAISED UP JUDGES. The judges’ primary (though temporary) function was military. They were provided by the grace of God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:17 WHORED. Israel is described as committing adultery against God by following other gods (compare Ezekiel 16:1; Ezekiel 23:1; Hosea 1:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:18 MOVED TO PITY. Compare 1 Samuel 15:29, “have regret”; Jonah 3:10, “relented.” God graciously changed his course concerning the Israelites because of his compassion for their suffering (see Judges 10:16). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 2:20 The term THIS PEOPLE is normally reserved for pagans (e.g., vv. Judges 2:21, Judges 2:23; Judges 3:1). Its use here shows the disgust God feels toward his people, whom he now regards as being just like the other nations. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ [ Continue Reading ]