In our study of the Judges, we learn that God gave Israel 12 Judges. The account is split into six longer stories and six shorter ones.
Judges chapter 10 starts with the brief stories of two judges. Despite their short accounts, their judgment brought long-term peace to Israel. Tola and Jair served Israel, and the combined years of peace were 45 years.
Six Idols and Seven Oppressive Nations
After a period of peace under two judges, the Israelites began worshiping more idols than ever before. Their idolatry is illustrated by six instances of false worship.
The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And they forsook the Lord and did not serve him (Judges 10:6).
As before, the people turned away from God, so He allowed the Philistines and the Ammonites to crush and oppress them for 18 years.
They cried out to Him, admitting they had sinned. In response, He listed seven nations He had freed them from, yet they still chose to forsake Him.
And the Lord said to the people of Israel, “Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the Ammonites and from the Philistines?
The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand.
Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more.
Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress” (Judges 10:12-14).
As I sat by my father’s bedside during his final moments on earth, I reflected on all he had achieved. He had a closet full of suits from his days as an attorney, and a wall covered with awards for his public service. He had a helpful bank account and a comfortable home.
Yet, in his last moments, none of these things mattered. Not his intellect, abilities, money, awards, or clothing. The only thing that counted was his relationship with the Lord.
I was grateful he had that relationship, believing he would soon meet the Lord. I thanked God for that.
When God told the Israelites to turn to their gods, it would have been like saying to my dad, if he had no relationship with God: “Look at your clothes, your awards, your bank account. None of these can help you.”
Let’s make sure we choose wisely whom to rely on in our daily lives and for eternity.
Words and Deeds
This time, the Israelites took action. They didn’t just tell God they were returning to Him; they also put away the idols they had relied on for many years.
And the people of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.”
So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel (Judges 10:15-16).
It’s easier to put away a statue or item used to worship a foreign god. But idols of the heart are harder. Attitudes we rely on and actions we trust are tough to let go of.
That’s why Jesus said we need to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him.
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
This should be a daily practice to show we fully rely on him and not on substitutes for our relationship with him.
A Committee Decision
There’s a joke that says a camel is a horse designed by a committee. When the Israelites faced another enemy, they chose to act as a group instead of seeking God’s guidance.
Then the Ammonites were called to arms, and they encamped in Gilead. And the people of Israel came together, and they encamped at Mizpah.
And the people, the leaders of Gilead, said one to another, “Who is the man who will begin to fight against the Ammonites? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead” (Judges 10:17-18)..
Chapter 11 will reveal who the Israelites chose to lead them. Once again, we encounter a lengthy account of one of the judges. Instead of being a good judge, this one continues the trend of increasingly poor judges for the nation.
Reflections
A recurring theme in the Book of Judges is self-interest, idolatry, insincere repentance, and poor leadership. This leads to the distress and destruction of the nation.
When people are corrupt, their leaders often mirror that behavior. This leads to both the people and their leaders falling to foreign enemies, as a form of divine judgment.
Whether you’re a Democrat blaming Republicans for America’s issues, or a Republican feeling the same about Democrats, the problem goes deeper.
Do our leaders mirror the general decline of American society? Are they a reflection of our constant chase for more money, privilege, power, and wealth, while neglecting to serve the Lord?
A wise preacher from another generation once said that everyone should sweep in front of their own door.
The best takeaway from our study of the book of Judges is to look at our own lives instead of pointing fingers at others. We should ask God:
- What do I need to clean up?
- How should I repent?
- What idols in my heart need to be surrendered to You?
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Judges 10 on YouTube today.
Real Voices 