Day 089- The Bible Recap

Today's reading is Judges 1-2. Here's what stood out to me:

Judges began with the Israelites asking the LORD for wisdom when going up against the Canaanites. Because of their faith in Him, He helped them conquer pieces of Canaan.

It seemed strange to me at first that they cut off the thumbs and big toes of one of the evil kings. But one source I read said this was to prevent them from being able to enter battles and fight.

But in 1:19 things began to take a turn when they didn't drive out all the inhabitants "because they had chariots of iron". This is when their faith failed them. Joshua had already gone over this with them in Joshua 17:18, yet they still remained fearful and lacked trust in the LORD and His might. So began the chain of tribe after tribe not fully driving the inhabitants out.

The angel of the LORD told the Israelites because of their disobedience He would no longer drive their enemies out and instead they would be a snare to them. 

Joshua died and the people rebelled by serving other gods, provoking the LORD to anger. The LORD's hand was against them and they were in terrible distress.

The LORD graciously raised up judges to aid the Israelites from the hand of their enemies. He was "moved to pity by their groanings." 2:18 But each time a judge died they were even more corrupt than the time before.

Time after time the Israelites cried out to the LORD, but after they got a taste of relief from their woes they went right back to their evil ways of following other gods.

I loved the statement Tara Leigh made about obedience. The LORD chose not to force the Israelites into obedience. And when we think about it, that's not true love! The LORD wanted their hearts to change. For it's when hearts change that real change takes place!