What we can learn from the Book of Judges...

The word judge back in the time of Israel held a different meaning than the word means in our day. “The English word ‘judge’ doesn’t well describe these leaders. Thought the root of the Hebrew word used means primarily ‘to judge,’ it is used secondarily also in the extended meaning ‘to govern.’ (Rasmussen, Introduction to the Old Testament) Rasmussen goes on to explain that most of these judges were military heroes that gave advice to the people and helped in “rendering decisions.” They were there to help govern the people and show them how to return back to righteousness and following the Lord. 

At the very beginning of the Book of Judges, we read about the different tribes of Israel and their conquests to destroy the Canaanites and other civilizations that the Lord commanded them to overtake. Some tribes completely destroyed those civilizations which is what the Lord wanted them to do, but some of the tribes allowed the Canaanites to continue to dwell with them. This angered the Lord, so he sent an angel to rebuke them by saying “ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their alters; but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?” (Judges 2:2) In the next verse the angel warns Israel that because of their disobedience that the Canaanites will “be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.” Israel shows remorse for their actions and that generation served the Lord all of the rest of their days.

“There arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10) This generation became very wicked. They bowed down to false idols and gods and began worshiping those gods of the people that they dwelt with. They also intermarried with the Canaanites and other civilizations. This angered the Lord and He allowed Israel to fall into the hands of their enemies. He also raised up judges to rescue Israel from their enemies and hopefully bring them back to righteousness. The problem was that as soon as a judge would die, the people would go right back to their wicked ways of worshiping false idols and gods. 

One of these judges that the Lord raised up to help Israel was Deborah. Israel at the time had become wicked yet again and the Lord caused them to fall into the hands of their enemies.  Israel cries unto the Lord because of their oppression and the Lord raises up Deborah, a prophetess, to help in conquering Israel’s enemy and setting them free.  The Lord is with the army that Deborah puts together and they defeat the enemy of Israel.  Deborah praises the Lord “for the avenging of Israel.” (Judges 5:2) After this, the Israelites did good and remembered the Lord for forty years. 

These examples and many more show us the consequences that Israel paid because they failed to follow the Lord’s command to rid themselves completely of the Canaanites. Because of this disobedience, many generations fell to the traditions of the Canaanites and became very wicked. This whole scenario speaks a very loud message about our responsibility as parents or future parents. We see the importance of keeping the commandments of the Lord and the effect that those actions can have on our future generations. Even though the generation of Israel that disobeyed the Lord’s command repented, their actions affected their future generations and had very devastating results. We must make sure that we not only make wise decisions in our own lives, but we must teach our children about God and his commandments and share with them our spiritual experiences and conversions so they will not grow up not knowing the Lord. We must also make sure that we protect them while they are young and not expose them to situations that could harm them or negatively influence them. We must also make sure that we rid ourselves and our homes completely of sin or bad behaviors so they do not continue to fester and overtake our families.  

There is much to learn from the stories of the children of Israel. As I have been reading through the Old Testament I keep asking myself how Israel could so quickly turn back to evil ways after being blessed by the Lord time and time again. I have come to a realization that many of us, including me, are guilty of the same sins that Israel was. How many times on a daily basis are we blessed by the Lord and we don’t stop to recognize it? How many times do we worry about having the nicest car, focusing our time on things that are worthless in the end, or go into endless debt to keep up with the world’s standard of wealth? I hope that we can all learn from Israel’s ups and downs and realize that true wealth and happiness can only come from what the Lord offers us, not the world. Let us all make a better effort to be thankful for all our blessings and to continually remember the Lord and keep his commandments.