Views of Man and God

In the six verses of today’s passage, we find a nutshell chronicle of what the book of Judges is all about. But we find much more here than a historical summary—this passage is absolutely packed with rich lessons about the nature of God and of man.

First, consider the author’s summary of Israel’s growing apostasy during the period of the judges. Provoked by His people’s willingness to be seduced by the idols of the Canaanites, God’s anger burns hot against them. Whereas He fought for them during the conquest and gave their enemies into their hands (Josh. 2:24), He now switches sides in the battle so that “the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity.” As a result, they are helpless to stand before their enemies and they fall into the hands of “plunderers.” This is the very thing God had said He would do under such circumstances (Deut. 28:25; Josh. 23:13). Thus, the Israelites find themselves in great distress. But God takes pity on them, raises up a deliverer, goes with the deliverer against the oppressor, and rescues His people. And yet, we are told that the people refuse to listen to the judge, reject the godly ways of their ancestors, disobey God, and, when the judge dies, fully revert to their idolatry and behave ever more corruptly. They obey their own lusts and stubbornly reject calls to repentance and holiness.

This, in brief, is the sad downward spiral that Judges traces. In it we see the nature of fallen man, who debauches himself with ever viler sins. But this passage reveals awe-inspiring truths about God, as well. First, disobedience truly angers Him. Sin provokes His wrath by violating His holiness. And He is especially angered when His people “play the harlot” with other gods. Second, He is faithful to keep His word. He had warned the Israelites that disobedience would bring specific consequences; in today’s passage, He carries out His threat. He always keeps His promises, both for blessing and for curse. Third, He is full of grace. While the detailed accounts in Judges often show God acting to send a deliverer after the Israelites cry out to Him, here He is said to act out of sheer pity. No cry for help, no act of repentance motivates Him to send deliverance. Rather, it is the sight of His chosen and beloved people existing in miseries they have brought upon themselves by their sin that causes Him to send salvation.