Judges 2:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not."

NIV: I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their ancestors did."

NASB: in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.'

CSB: I did this to test Israel and to see whether or not they would keep the Lord’s way by walking in it, as their fathers had."

NLT: I did this to test Israel — to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the Lord as their ancestors did.'

KJV: That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

NKJV: so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the Lord, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not.”

Because of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness to Him with other gods, the Lord has declared that He will not drive out Israel's enemies. Had they been faithful, and obedient (Deuteronomy 20:16–18), they could have conquered all the land promised to their ancestors (Joshua 1:14). Instead, the Lord will leave those enemies thriving in the land of Canaan, so they can test Israel. Some will live among Israel in captured lands, tempting the people to idolatry and sin (Judges 3:5–6). Others will remain in their un-disturbed kingdoms, launching raids and war against the tribes of Israel (Judges 3:1–4).

The "testing" performed here is really more of a "proving." God knows exactly what the results will be. Creating these opportunities, however, makes it clear whether the Israelites will turn to Him when their enemies torment them—or if they will remain unfaithful. The Lord will leave hostile nations intact to test—really, to demonstrate—Israel's lack of repentance over their sinful ways.

Judges 2:16–23 describes the pattern developed and repeated after the death of Joshua. The Israelites begin with freedom and faithfulness towards God. Then they fall into idolatry and sin. In response, they are overcome by their enemies. When the suffering of the Israelites becomes great, God raises up judges—military and civic leaders—to save Israel from their enemies. When the judge dies, the Israelites soon return to their sinful worship of Canaan's gods. Each time, Israel's idolatry worsens, and their faith becomes weaker.

The tribes of Israel committed great sin when they failed to drive the depraved, wicked Canaanites from the land. God rebukes them harshly, warning them of the consequences to follow. The people weep and offer sacrifices. And yet, the generations after Joshua abandon God. They worship false gods and perform heinous sins. The Lord burns with anger and uses Israel's enemies as punishment. When the suffering becomes intense, God rescues Israel through a human "judge." When the judge dies, the people return to their sin, deeper even than before.

Judges 2 follows reports about the failure of Israel to drive the Canaanites from each tribes' territories. Despite being rebuked by God, the generations after Joshua eventually abandon the Lord to worship the gods of the Canaanites: the Baals and the Ashtaroth. This establishes a pattern to be repeated in the chapters to come. Israel will worship Canaan's gods. God punishes the people through their enemies. God saves the people through a human judge. When the judge dies, the people return to their sin. This cycle continues throughout the rest of the book of Judges.

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).

Accessed 11/23/2024 6:15:57 PM