When Did Faithfulness Falter?
In this article, you will learn how Judges 2:7 contradicts Judges 2:19, Judges 2:10, Judges 3:7 and Judges 8:33. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The Book of Judges is an intriguing study of human behavior concerning faith and obedience. At the heart of this discussion is Judges 2:7, which paints an encouraging picture of the Israelites faithfully serving God during Joshua’s leadership and the years following his death. This verse implies a continuous journey of commitment, driven by the memory of God's wondrous deeds.
However, this ideal image faces contradictions when we explore other passages in Judges. For instance, Judges 2:19 reveals a different narrative. It states that after the death of each judge, the people swiftly returned to corrupt ways, starkly contrasting the devotion described in Judges 2:7. This shift is comparable to a well-tended garden that flourishes while watched but quickly becomes overrun with weeds when neglected.
Additionally, Judges 2:10 introduces a significant challenge to the continuity of faithfulness, highlighting the emergence of a new generation unfamiliar with God’s works. This is akin to a historical tale lost through the generations, where successors forget the lessons and legacy of their predecessors. The text suggests societal amnesia regarding divine loyalty.
Further emphasizing this cycle of faith and forgetfulness is Judges 3:7, where the Israelites write a narrative of neglect, doing evil and forsaking the Lord. This shift to oblivion is like a ship once steered firmly veering off course without its captain’s vigilant eye.
Lastly, Judges 8:33 adds another layer, describing a similar relapse after Gideon's death. The tendency to stray after a leader's departure is mirrored by students who only excel with a stringent teacher present, floundering once the oversight is withdrawn.
These differing perspectives invite us to ponder: Was the Israelites’ faithfulness a result of their reverence for God or attributable to their leaders’ guidance? The contrast between these verses provides fertile ground for reflection on the nature of commitment and the enduring challenge of true devotion.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Judges 2:7 | And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel. [outlived: Heb. prolonged days after] |
| 2. | Judges 2:19 | And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, [that] they returned, and corrupted [themselves] more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. [corrupted...: or, were corrupt] [ceased...: Heb. let nothing fall of their] |
| 3. | Judges 2:10 | And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. |
| 4. | Judges 3:7 | And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves. |
| 5. | Judges 8:33 | 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. |