Downfalls in the Book of Judges

The first notable spiritual downfall occurs in Judges 1:1. The people never developed a true dependence and relationship with God. Deuteronomy chapter 32 talks about how the people were void of counsel from God and they were in lack due to not trusting the Father. Since Joshua died, they felt they did not have a conqueror to overcome the territorial enemies. We see in Judges 1:19 that God was with them to help them. However, they did not drive out certain groups of people. This was a downfall because God gave specific instructions for them to take the land and leave none of the people in it. Yet, they did not drive out the inhabitants of the mountains, Taanach, Bethshean, the Jebusites along with many other inhabitants. Also in Judges 1:28 they were strong against the Canaanites but instead of driving them out, they made them pay a tax. God told them when Moses was living in Deut. 30:20 that they would inherit the land if they obey the voice of God. This is supported later in Isaiah 1:19 which says that if we are willing and obedient, we will eat the good of the land. A lack of dependence on God was a downfall. Disobedience was another major downfall.

In Judges chapter 2, God comes to rebuke and remind the people that they broke the covenant with Him. The last downfall I will discuss which is talked about throughout the book of Judges is sin. Judges 2:11-12 let us know that the children of Israel did evil and served other gods like Baal and Ahstaroth. And we know this is one of the commandments for us to serve another god (Exodus 20:3/Jer. 2:11) This provoked God to anger. As a result, this caused conflict among other nations and God allowed Israel to be driven into captivity by other nations. God still raised up Judges to lead the fight (Judges 3:9-10) like Deborah, Barak and Gideon. But the people would mate with the enemy, serve their gods and not take territory as God instructed. Hundreds of years before Babylon, during the time of the book of Judges, Israel was taken captive by Moabites for 18 years, Midianites for 7 years, Philistines/Ammon for 18 years and another 40 years under the Philistines before Samson arose.

I love this book because of the many stories of the advances and trials that shaped the nation of Israel.

Sabrina you highlighted major points that discussed the downfall of the people of Israel in the book of Judges. It is ironic to think that all they had to do was obey Gods order and obey and the outcomes would have been different. Following God's instruction would have been so much easier than rebuke, downfall and ultimately captivity for 18 years. We can learn a lot from the
children of Israel and that is simply to Trust and Obey God.