Judges: When a Generation Ignores God.

The book of Judges kicks off with a unique style of writing. The writer begins by linking his present writing (the book of Judges) to it's predecessor Joshua. This is clearly notable when you realize that Joshua's death is recorded a second time in this writing. So, from chapter 1:1 to chapter 2:9, it's more of a throwback to prior events. What's happening in this portion had already happened, but in order to help his audience to connect with the flow, he begins from the past to the present. This style of writing was also employed in Deuteronomy and it's an important way of communicating.


Then there's a shift. 


While Joshua was leading a different generation from the one Moses led, the judges as well will be leading and dealing with a different generation. It reads in Judges 2:10 that "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." 


A generation back then spanned over a period of 40yrs. That number has shifted downwards over the centuries. Moses led for a generation, Joshua led for another generation and now Judges will lead for several generations collectively. This can be likened to Moses leading millennials, Joshua dealing with Gen Z and the judges checking in to handle Gen Alpha and any other generation that will follow after that. 


Different generations call for different leadership styles, different responses are expected but one thing remains constant - God and His reason for humanity. There's however something heartbreaking in verse 10b. The last bit says that "another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel."


What!?


Wasn't there an instruction to parents to teach their children? How comes there's a generation that doesn't know God and what He's able to do? 🤦


My eyes are wet as I think through this. Once again, parents have failed God. The responsibility of passing on the knowledge of who God is and His power squarely falls on parents. This is what leads people to God because "whoever comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him." Now we have a generation of kids who do not know God or His power simply because parents were busy finding land, building houses and making ends meet. Maybe. I think I'm on track on this thoughtline though.


When parents fail, faith falls. 


This is the backdrop of the book of Judges. A people with milk, honey but no relationship with God. A people provided for but not established in faith. This then explains why the story in this book is a downward spiral of sin. This guys were doomed already by their guardians.


Basically, the book of Judges is another tale of what happens when parents fail to follow the simple instruction in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 that reads "These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."


This they did not do.


As you read through Judges, create a list in your notebook titled: what becomes of a nation or people who do not know God and His power. 


Ni hayo kwa sasa. Go read, go study.



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