Week #14
A Kingdom Stumbles
Judges 2:11-23; 19:1-30

I. Israel’s Defection (2:11-13)
A. Israel violated the covenant by and through religious syncretism.
a. Religious syncretism is the blending of two or more religious belief systems into a new system, or the incorporation into a religious tradition of beliefs from unrelated traditions.
1. Idolatry (Baal, Ashtoreth)- According to Canaanite mythology, Baal was the chief god of the Canaanites and Ashtoreth, a fertility goddess, was his sister. The Canaanites worshiped Baal as the sun god and as the storm god—he is usually depicted holding a lightning bolt—who defeated enemies and produced crops. Baal worship was rooted in sensuality and involved ritualistic prostitution in the temples and often included child sacrifices. This idolatrous religion was a plague for the Israelites.

II. Israel’s Defeat (2:14-15)
A. God gave Israel over to her enemies.
B. God used Israel’s enemies as a form of temporal judgment.
a. For violating the terms of the Mosaic Covenant (Deut. 28:15-37; Ps. 106:34-43)

III. Israel’s Deliverance (2:16-19)
A. Israel’s oppression would cause repentance and a judge to be raised up. (v.16-18)
B. After the Judge passed off the scene, Israel would return to wickedness. (v.19)

IV. Israel’s Dilemma (2:20-23)
A. God refused to quickly drive out Israel’s enemies.

V. Israel’s Devolution (19:1-30) [cf., Rom. 1:18-32]
A. People become ungodly (v.1)
a. Ministers become morally corrupt [cf., Matt. 19:4-6]

B. There is an increase in sexual immorality (v.2)
C. There is a lack of love of people in showing hospitality (v.15)
D. There is rampant homosexuality (v.22)
E. There is no regard for life (v.24-25)
F. There is no regard for familial love (v. 27-28)

VI. Principles for Christians (Points to Ponder)
1. Be Engaged - God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He only asks that we are faithful to His Word. Be ready to act when opportunities are presented.
2. Be Encouraged – God is the object of our faith and He can be trusted, regardless of your circumstances.

Daniel Block, Judges, Ruth, vol. 6, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 126, 132.
Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 871.
Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Ariel’s Bible Commentary: The Books of Judges and Ruth, 1st ed. (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2006), 47.
Richard Davidson, Condemnation and Grace: Polygamy and Concubinage in the Old Testament. Online. Accessed April 4, 2019. https://www.equip.org/article/condemnation-grace-polygamy-concubinage-old-testament/
John MacArthur, MacArthur Study Bible (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010) Judges 19:27-28.