The Bible Course Ejemplo

The Judges, the Cycles, and the Warning – Israel stuck in a loop 

Reflect  

We live in the age of music streaming. We know little of broken records. Not long ago a broken record could get stuck and it would play the same notes over and over again.  

After Joshua’s death, what was Israel’s story?  

A new generation grew up knowing ‘neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel’. They’d forgotten everything God had done. This was always a danger as they entered the promised land. The surrounding peoples worshipped many different gods.  

[Below is an image of the fertility god Baal, held in the Louvre] 

The god of rain was called Baal. The Canaanites believed he controlled the harvest. Canaanite gods were bribed to get them to do what they wanted. They could do this through cultic rituals, shrine prostitution, and even the horrific practice of child sacrifice. When it didn’t rain, Israel was tempted to turn to these other gods rather than trusting in the LORD.  

In response, God shows Israel his heart (verses 1–2). He recalls their story and reminds them of his fierce commitment. God’s language here is the language of marriage, not of business. It’s covenant, not contract. The Bible does not present God as an invisible, emotionless force in the sky; rather, we see his emotions running deep. His love is passionate.  

As they failed to see how damaging their worship of Baal was for their soul and community, God gave Israel over to their desires and into the hands of their enemies. This handing over is a form of judgment from God. But it’s an act of mercy, not cruelty. It shows Israel their need for Him. 

What does God do in response to Israel’s unfaithfulness? What does he do today?  

God’s mercy does not stop there. He goes on to raise up judges (verse 16). He makes a way of rescue. Despite their rebellion, God remembers his commitment. The faithfulness of God does not depend on the goodness of people but on his own nature. His rescue depends on who he is rather than on what we do.  

God created us so he could love us, but we’ve walked away from him. The story of the Bible is that he comes running after us! God has loved us to the point of death.  

Respond 

The judges' cycle is a cycle similar to what we experience today. What negative cycle are you stuck in? Go to Jesus. He understands. And He’s mighty – He can set you free!