After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. (2:10)How does that happen? Where did they go wrong that a whole generation grew up without knowing the God of their fathers? I think adults have been worrying about the faith of "the younger generation" forever. I know they did when I was a part of the younger generation and I've spent most of my adult life praying for and concerned about the faith of the next generation and now that I'm a grand-parent I find that the even younger generation is the focus of my concern. They will, of course, all make their own choices but I believe they will know their heritage. I can't understand how an entire generation would grow up "who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel."
Here seems to be an intro and summary of the book of judges:
Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. (2:18-19)It seems as if the book of Judges may be a lesson in the high expectations, yet patience and forgiveness of God.
I've always been a bit fascinated by Deborah:
Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. (4:4)Nowhere (that I know of) does the Bible make a big deal out of the fact that Deborah was a woman and yet it seems to me that it IS a big deal. It just doesn't seem to fit with what I've always been taught about the culture of the day and how women were treated. Apparently, while the "culture" didn't hold women in very high regard, God did...and does.
No comments:
Post a Comment