Week 21: Judges 2-God Uses Judges to Keep Israel Holy


God Uses Judges to Keep Israel Holy

As a family, read Judges 2 together.  Afterwards, share the following discussion.

What Happened?

Many generations before the time of the Judges, God made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).  A covenant is an agreement between two people – in this case an agreement or promise with specific conditions between God and Israel (Deuteronomy 28:9).

What was God’s covenant to the children of Israel?  He would give them the Promised Land and would bless and protect them as they settled into this new home. God wanted His people to love and follow only Him. Therefore, He commanded that they destroy all of their meaningless false idols.

The children of Israel arrived and began to settle in the land God had promised. They were faithful to God during Joshua’s life. But when Joshua and the generation of adults who experienced the great works of God died, the next generation did not know or love God.  Instead of obeying God, they abandoned God’s rules. They made friends with nations that didn’t know the true God and worshipped their idols.

God was very angry with the Israelites for not obeying Him. He punished them by allowing the pagan countries to attack Israel and steal their possessions. When they went to battle with the surrounding countries, God did not protect them. He brought disaster on them just as He had promised.

Although the children of Israel did not love God or keep His rules, God still loved them. When the Israelites cried out to God because of their suffering, God listened to their prayers. Each time, God sent a judge (a leader) to rescue them and remind them of God’s laws.  While a judge ruled over the Israelites, God protected them; but when that judge died, the children of Israel returned to their sinful ways.

This cycle continued throughout the book of Judges.  When the children of Israel refused to obey God, He punished them. They cried out to God to help them, and then God sent a judge to rescue them.  After that, Israel enjoyed a period of peace from their enemies. However, they soon forgot God, and the cycle began again.

Why is this important to us today?

We are just like the Israelites. We have a difficult time obeying God’s rules. Disobeying God is called sin.  Just as God loved the Israelites and sent a judge to rescue them from their sin, God has a plan for you and me.  He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ down to earth to die for our sins.  Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose from the grave three days later.  After His resurrection, He walked on the earth for forty more days. He then went up to Heaven where He is preparing a home for all who ask Him into their lives.  Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean you’ll never sin again, but it does mean that God is always with you to show you the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Following Jesus gives you a desire to follow God’s instructions.

Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior? If so, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you and will convict you when you disobey God. As a child of God, He will make you very uncomfortable when you choose sin over Him. His commands always have our best interest at heart.

Spend a few minutes talking about what you just read by answering these questions together:

Think back on today’s Bible story. Why do you think the young Israelites didn’t know or love God? Why do you think God wants us to obey His rules? Who has God put in your life to remind you of God’s commands and laws?

How can we better follow God this week?

Which commands of God are most difficult for you to obey? As a family, discuss why. Like Israel, God loves us even though we may struggle to obey Him.  How does knowing that God loves you, no matter what, help you to obey Him?

Follow these steps to protect your heart and pass your faith in Christ to the next generation:

  • Look for opportunities to tell someone this week about how Jesus came into your life.
  • Share a story about God’s protection in your life or how He provided for your family.
  • Examine your close friendships. What ungodly influence have you allowed into your life?
  • What warning from God have you ignored? What behavior is He prompting you to correct?