Judges Chapter 2 - Consequences

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Judges 2:11-23. Joshua and the elder leaders of the conquering generation slowly passed off the scene. Would Israel honor their pledges to Joshua and remain faithful to the Lord? No, the next generation turned away from God's commands and began worshiping the gods of the land they had conquered, specifically Baal and Ashtoreth. Through Moses and Joshua, God had already warned the people not to worship any other so-called gods. Israel's willful disobedience began a six-to-seven-hundred-year cycle of rebellion, affliction, repentance, rescue, and temporary reprieve. Because God cares about His people, He sends corrective discipline. When we fail the test, we must respond to the natural consequences of our actions and return to the Lord. God longs to rescue and patiently waits to save those who turn away from sin and seek Him wholeheartedly. Sinners must decide they are tired of running in circles and cry out to the only One who can forgive our sins and change our stubborn hearts.