Topical Bible: Israel: Under the Judges: Return to Idolatry

◄ Israel: Under the Judges: Return to Idolatry ►

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During the period of the Judges, Israel experienced a cyclical pattern of faithfulness and apostasy, characterized by a recurring return to idolatry. This era, spanning from the death of Joshua to the establishment of the monarchy, is marked by a decentralized tribal confederation where each tribe largely governed itself. The absence of a central authority often led to moral and spiritual decline, as described in the Book of Judges.

The Cycle of Apostasy

The Book of Judges outlines a repetitive cycle that Israel underwent: the people would fall into idolatry, God would allow them to be oppressed by surrounding nations, they would cry out for deliverance, and God would raise a judge to deliver them. This cycle is succinctly summarized in Judges 2:11-19. The Israelites "did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals" (Judges 2:11). This apostasy provoked the LORD's anger, leading to their subjugation by foreign powers.

Influence of Canaanite Culture

The Israelites' return to idolatry was heavily influenced by the surrounding Canaanite culture. Despite God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land, many Canaanites remained, and their religious practices infiltrated Israelite society. The worship of Baal and Ashtoreth, prominent Canaanite deities, became prevalent among the Israelites. Judges 3:5-7 notes that the Israelites "lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites," and "took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods."

Notable Judges and Their Struggles

Several judges rose to deliver Israel from oppression, each facing the challenge of leading a people prone to idolatry. Othniel, the first judge, delivered Israel from the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Aram (Judges 3:7-11). Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, freed Israel from Moabite domination (Judges 3:12-30). Deborah, a prophetess and judge, alongside Barak, led Israel to victory over the Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera (Judges 4-5).

Gideon, another significant judge, was called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Despite his initial reluctance, Gideon obeyed God's command to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it (Judges 6:25-27). However, after his victory, Gideon made an ephod that became a snare to him and his family, leading Israel back into idolatry (Judges 8:27).

The Consequences of Idolatry

The return to idolatry had severe consequences for Israel. It led to social and moral decay, as seen in the latter chapters of Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The spiritual infidelity of the Israelites resulted in repeated cycles of oppression and deliverance, highlighting their need for a righteous and faithful leader.

Theological Implications

The period of the Judges underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness and the dangers of syncretism. Israel's repeated return to idolatry serves as a cautionary tale of the human propensity to stray from God. The narrative emphasizes God's mercy and patience, as He continually raised judges to deliver His people despite their unfaithfulness. This era foreshadows the need for a king who would lead Israel in righteousness, ultimately pointing to the coming of the Messiah, who would establish an eternal kingdom of justice and peace.

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Judges 8:33,34
And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Divided Kingdom.
... and south reaching as far back as the time of the Judges. ... reign of Uzziah, who was
contemporary with Jeroboam II of Israel. (5) The Apostasy under Ahaz, who ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

On Idolatry
... and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, these be thy gods, O Israel, which have ...
and the virgin Mary; as is evident, (1.) the names under which they ... Judges 17:4 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... 9 (7), says, "I will go and return to my ... symbolical use of the barley-bread in Judges
7:13. ... of the representation of God's relation to Israel under the figure ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

Samuel, the Child of Prayer
... Israel for years had been under bondage to the Philistines ... He judged Israel all the
days of his life ... Lawmakers, law judges, and law executives need leaders in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/ix samuel the child of.htm

Introduction.
... great personage, but prophets, who are "judges of mortals ... agreed that the assembled
foes of Israel shall meet ... have its centre at Jerusalem, under the personal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

The Census of Israel
... had not been for the great sin of Israel at Kadesh ... not forget that all this change
was still under the divine ... present: but then, we are not fair judges; for we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

The Captivity of Judah.
... These were perhaps leaders of Israel whom he thought ... town where many foreigners lived
under the protection ... elders of the families acted as judges and directed ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xv the captivity of.htm

The Historical Books.
... assistance of Jehovah; the book of Judges describes the ... made by the people with Jehovah
under Asa's direction ... the history of the kingdom of Israel, giving only ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Chronicles
... the stirring and life-like tales of the Judges or the ... of Israel, and the history
of the kings of Israel. No doubt one book is cited under these different titles ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/chronicles.htm

CHAPTER III.
... The four objects mentioned in Judges 17.and xviii. ... If the fundamental prophecy refer
to all Israel, the same ... be the case with the prophecy under consideration. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm