What is the meaning of Judges 2:20? So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel “ So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel ” (Judges 2:20). • God’s anger is righteous, not capricious. Like Psalm 106:40 and Deuteronomy 32:21, it springs from covenant betrayal, not petty irritation. • The book of Judges repeats the cycle: sin → divine anger → oppression → repentance → deliverance (Judges 3:8; 10:7). This verse signals the “anger” phase. • The flame image (“burned”) underscores intensity but never contradicts Exodus 34:6, where the LORD is “slow to anger.” Patience has a limit when holiness is trampled. and He said “ …and He said ” • God speaks into the situation—He does not leave Israel guessing. His voice has always accompanied judgment (Genesis 6:13; Exodus 32:9-10) and mercy (Isaiah 1:18-20). • Speech means relationship. Even in wrath He addresses them as His people, echoing Amos 3:2: “You only have I known… therefore I will punish you.” Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers “ Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers ” • “Transgressed” pictures willful crossing of a boundary, like stepping over the line drawn in Exodus 19:12. • “The covenant” points back to Sinai (Exodus 24:3-8) and Joshua’s renewal at Shechem (Joshua 24:19-24). Their fathers swore, “We will serve the LORD.” The children broke that oath. • Covenant terms were clear—blessing for obedience, curse for rebellion (Deuteronomy 27–28). Judges 2:1-2 already recorded the Angel of the LORD announcing their breach. • God’s reference to “their fathers” stresses generational accountability (Psalm 78:5-8): each generation must keep what the previous received. and has not heeded My voice “ …and has not heeded My voice ” • Refusal to listen is deeper than a single act; it is habitual deafness (Jeremiah 7:23-24). • Obedience begins with hearing (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Ignoring the voice nullifies worship rites (1 Samuel 15:22). • God had spoken through Moses (Deuteronomy 31:11-13), Joshua (Joshua 1:7-8), and contemporary judges (Judges 2:18). Their silence toward His word invited His judgment. • New-Testament echo: Hebrews 3:7-8 warns believers: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” summary Judges 2:20 declares that Israel’s persistent, willful covenant breach and deaf ear to God’s voice roused His holy anger. The verse exposes the cause of oppression that follows and reminds every generation that God still speaks, still expects obedience, and still responds righteously to covenant faithfulness—or its absence. |
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