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Judges 2

2
The Angel of Yahweh Rebukes Israel
1The Angel of Yahweh # 2:1 This verse implies that the Angel of Yahweh had appeared to the people in Gilgal and now reappeared to them. Although the Hebrew word for “angel” can mean “messenger,” the “Angel of Yahweh” was a term used to express the Lord appearing to his people in human form. In v. 1 he says, “I rescued you from Egypt,” clearly showing that the Angel of Yahweh was the Lord himself appearing to his people. He came as a representative of the heavenly court with a message for Israel. God had told his people in advance that he was sending an Angel to go before them. See Ex. 14:19; 23:20–24. went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said to the people: “I rescued you from Egypt and brought you into the land I had promised to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never, never break my covenant with you, 2and you are never, never to make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You must tear down their altars to their false gods!’ But you have not listened to my voice. See what you have done! 3Therefore listen to what I’m telling you—I won’t drive them out before you. Instead, they will be thorns in your sides, # 2:3 Or “they will become adversaries to you.” See Num. 33:55. and their gods will become a trap for you!”
4After the Angel of Yahweh had delivered his message to all the Israelites, the people burst out with loud, bitter weeping. 5So they named that place Bokim, # 2:5 Or “Bochim.” Bokim means “weepers.” Some scholars believe that Bokim was another name for Bethel (see LXX). The Israelites may have known it as the place near Bethel where Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died (see Gen. 35:8). and in that place of tears they offered sacrifices to Yahweh. # 2:5 The fact that they offered sacrifices at Bokim indicates that the Israelites had moved the tabernacle there from Gilgal. 6Then Joshua released the people to go take possession of their territorial inheritance. # 2:6 The rebuke of the Angel of Yahweh had pierced their hearts. They repented, offered sacrifices to demonstrate their longing for restoration, and went out to conquer again. This account echoes the life of Joshua, during which the people did what was right under such Spirit-empowered leadership.
The Death of Joshua
7The people faithfully worshiped Yahweh all the days of Joshua and through all the days of the elders who outlived him. They had all experienced the many astounding miracles Yahweh had done for Israel. 8Yahweh’s servant, Joshua # 2:8 God designated no successor to Joshua. Among all the judges, only Caleb was called Yahweh’s servant (Num. 14:24). son of Nun, died at the age of one hundred and ten 9and the people buried him on his own parcel of land in the hill country of Ephraim at Timnath Serah, # 2:9 Or “Timnath Heres.” Timnath Heres means “the [sacred] territory of the sun.” It is interesting that Joshua spoke to the sun to stand still (see Josh. 10:12). Timnath Serah means “an abundant inheritance.” north of Mount Gaash. # 2:9 The Hebrew root for “Gaash” means “to quake.” 10Eventually, after that entire generation died and was buried, the next generation forgot Yahweh and all that he had done for Israel. # 2:10 They forgot the wonders in the wilderness, the manna, the split-open rock that gave them water. Then later, they failed to remember the Jordan miraculously parting, the walls of Jericho falling down, the sun standing still, the empowerment of God conquering their foes, and the many miracles of Yahweh under Joshua’s leadership. How easy it is for the second generation of any movement to forget the truth and power of the first generation. We enshrine the memories of the past but fail to apply the power present today to advance in the ways of God. See 2 Tim. 3:5.
Israel’s Cycle of Apostasy
11The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and worshiped the images of Baal. 12Israel deserted Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, who had rescued them from Egypt. They found new gods to worship—the gods of the people around them. They bowed down to them and provoked Yahweh to anger. 13They completely abandoned Yahweh to serve Baal # 2:13 Baal means “lord” or “master.” He was the chief male Canaanite fertility god. The Canaanites worshiped him at altars on high places or mountain summits within the land. and the images of the goddess Astarte. # 2:13 Ishtar, or Astarte, was the moon goddess, the chief goddess of sexuality, fertility, and war. See 1 Sam. 31:10. 14They caused the anger of Yahweh to be kindled # 2:14 Or “caused his anger to burn hot [blaze up].” There are four things in the Bible that kindle God’s anger: (1) The oppression of widows, orphans, and strangers—see Ex. 22:21–24; (2) rebellion and idolatry—see Ex. 32:8–11; Deut. 9:19–22; (3) abandoning God and forsaking him—see Judg. 2:12; 3:7; (4) sin and wickedness—see Pss. 6:8; 38:1–5. against Israel, and he handed them over to invaders, who plundered them. He surrendered them to their enemies on all sides, and they could no longer defend themselves. 15Every time they went into battle, Yahweh raised his hand against them to their undoing, # 2:15 Or “defeat.” just as he had warned them, and they were in great distress.
16Nevertheless, Yahweh raised up deliverers # 2:16 Or “judges.” Shophetim could also be translated “avengers,” “punishers,” “defenders,” “deliverers,” “saviors,” or possibly “governors.” In a sense, Judges parallels the New Testament book of Galatians, for the message of Galatians leads the people of God out of error and bondage. (Similarly, Joshua parallels the book of Ephesians.) The twelve champion-deliverers have a parallel with the twelve apostles of Jesus. The book of Judges can be viewed as an apostolic manual for “last days” ministries. The judges were forerunners of the kingdom. God has promised that he will restore the era of deliverers (judges) in the last days to bring the church into complete victory. See Isa. 1:26; Obad. 21. from among them who rescued them from the marauding bands. 17Rather than listen to their deliverers, they prostituted themselves to other gods and bowed down to worship them. This new generation quickly turned from the good path and refused to be like their ancestors who actually listened to Yahweh’s commands.
18Yet, whenever Yahweh raised up a hero # 2:18 Or “judge.” for them, his presence and power were with that leader, and he would rescue the people from their enemies as long as that deliverer lived. Yahweh had mercy and pitied them because of their cries of distress and groanings under the grip of their oppressors.
19But when their champion died, then the people would relapse into their former idolatry. They would worship other gods, bow down to them, and refuse to give up their evil ways. And each generation behaved worse than the one before it. 20Then Yahweh became furious with Israel, saying, “Because this nation has violated the covenant that I commanded their fathers to keep, and because they no longer listen to my voice, 21I will no longer drive out any of the nations that remained in the land after Joshua died.”
22Over and over Yahweh tested Israel to see if they would faithfully walk in his ways, as their ancestors had done. # 2:22 The Hebrew text has an infinitive verb without a subject, leaving the text ambiguous. It is therefore possible that vv. 22–23 continue the direct speech of Yahweh. 23So Yahweh intentionally left pagan nations in the land instead of driving them all out at once, and he did not give Joshua the victory over them, nor did he drive them out after Joshua’s death.

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