Israel Not Hearkening to Their Judges - Judges 2:17

In the book of Judges we learned the people of Israel forsook Jehovah God, so “Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.”, and in chapter two and verse seventeen of Judges, we learn how, “they would not hearken unto their judges”, where we read,

And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.

The verse reads, “And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them:” The writer began with the words, “and yet they would not hearken” which means “and still they, the people of Israel would in no way listen, take heed, perceive or be obedient” “unto their judges” or “to their, the people of Israel’s, governors, vindicators, punishers and defenders”, “but they went a whoring” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, the people of Israel committed fornication, harlotry and prostitution” “after other gods” or “going forth and following alternate deities”, “and bowed themselves unto them” which means “and crouched, stooped and prostrated their own selves to them, the alternate deities, in worship”. The writer shared how the people of Israel not only would not listen to or obey the “judges” sent to them by Jehovah God, but they also committed spiritual adultery by prostrating themselves in worship to the “other gods”. 

The verse goes on to say, “they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.” The writer continued with the words, “they turned quickly” which means “they, the people of Israel, departed, avoided and went aside in a speedy and hasty manner” “out of the way” or “from the path, road and journey” “which their fathers walked in” which means “that their, the people of Israel’s, male progenitors and ancestors departed, proceeded and made their manner of life within”, “obeying the commandments” or “listening to, perceiving, understanding and giving heed to the laws, ordinances and precepts” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”: “but they did not so” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, the people of Israel in no way or manner performed and produced obedience to God’s law. The writer shared how the people of Israel hastily departed from the manner of life of their “forefathers” who followed and took heed to the laws and ordinances belonging to Jehovah God. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the people of Israel were so stubborn and insolent that they would not listen to the “judges” that were dispatched to them by Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and He knew what was best for them. When they forsook Him, they walked into trouble, and He sent a “judge” to rescue them. Yet they would in no way or manner follow what the “judge” had to say. God wants us to follow Him, and we do that by receiving His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of the world and raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we listen to and obey Him because of what Jesus has done on our behalf. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Proverbs 3:5-6)

Next time we learn, “when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".