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“When the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel” (Judg. 2:19–20a, NIV).
The “days of the judges.” It seems like a time so long ago, so far removed from us. Yet many life-enriching lessons may be learned from the days of the judges if only the self-assured man of today will humble himself and hear. Learn first about “the sadness of syncretism.”
What is Syncretism?
In principle, syncretism is mixing the worship and service of another god with the devotion you have pledged to the one true God. It is like filling the tank of your automobile with a mixture of gas and water. You may buy the most expensive gasoline, but if you top it off with water, you won’t be on a joy ride for long.
God’s people became notorious for their syncretism in the days of the judges. The tribe of Benjamin simply lived among the Canaanites, tolerating their corrupting practices (Judg. 1:21). The tribe of Manasseh put significant pressure on the Canaanites to restrain their corrupt ways, but they never drove them out completely (Judg. 1:28). However, the Canaanites actually confined the people of Dan to the hill country, denying them access to the fertile valleys (Judg. 1:34).
It’s happening throughout the church of Jesus Christ today. Syncretism is leading Christians young and old to adopt the values of the world. Many young people avoid getting married as a way of protecting their personal freedoms. Many couples choose not to have children so they can enjoy the comforts of their material things without distraction. In the days of the judges, the Israelites joined Baal, the Canaanite “god of fertility,” to their covenant Lord in an unholy alliance—all for the sake of having a more abundant harvest. Today it’s God and mammon, God and money, God and material possessions.
The Effect of Syncretism
Syncretism presents a smiling face that offers the “best of both worlds.” It suggests that you can enjoy all the things you want in this life while having guaranteed security for the life to come. But the Biblical record of the days of the judges tells the truth about the effects of syncretism: weeping among God’s people and wrath from the hand of God.
The Angel of the LORD told the Israelites that compromising their commitment to God would result in “thorns in your side” and “a snare” (Judg. 2:3). Hearing these consequences, “the people wept aloud” (Judg. 2:4, NIV).
It is the same today. Ask the woman who has compromised her commitments to Christ and married a non-Christian. She can tell you firsthand about the “sadness of syncretism.” Everything looked so rosy. But when he stopped going to church with her, when he began to influence the children with his non-Christian values, when suspicions of infidelity crept into the marriage, she began to weep. Ask the Christian businessman who has sacrificed family, health, and church life for position and success. He will tell you what it means to have bitterness of soul.
There is also the wrath of God toward all who pollute His pure worship with syncretism. “In His anger against Israel the LORD handed them over to raiders who plundered them” (Judg. 2:14, NIV).
How miserable it is to experience defeat and distress, knowing it comes from the hand of God! Don’t expect lasting joy in life when you join the service of other gods to the living God. His wrath is directed against His own people when they compromise their commitments.
Escaping Syncretism
Israel was saved from syncretism by its judges. God was moved with compassion because of the plight of His people, so He raised up judges who saved them (Judg. 2:18). The Spirit of the Lord came on the judge, and he delivered them. But the resulting “rest” didn’t last. When the judge died, the people went back to their old ways. They became even more corrupt than their fathers (Judg. 2:19).
You can be saved from syncretism far more completely. But not by human leaders—don’t look to princes, preachers, or politicians. Never place your hope in human idols. They will pass away. They all have feet of clay, like the judges of the past. As the psalmist says: “Put no confidence in princes, nor for help on man depend; he shall die, to dust returning, and his purposes shall end” (No. 57, Trinity Hymnal, 1990 edition).
Instead, look in faith to Jesus your Judge. Unlike the judges of Israel’s past, He lives forever. From generation to generation He continues to show compassion toward His people. Unlike the local judges of Israel, He is universal in His rule. He is not confined to one corner of the earth or one aspect of human life. Jesus is Lord of all. And unlike those judges, He leads in a thoroughgoing reform. He will enable you every day “more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 35).
Syncretism is a threat to every generation. Don’t let the evil spirit of syncretism rob you of your joy in the Lord. By His ongoing grace, be saved from the sadness of syncretism.