“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.”
Context: The book of Judges is part of the historical books in the Old Testament. It covers the period of Israel’s history after the death of Joshua until the establishment of the monarchy under King Saul. The Israelites had just entered the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership, and this verse highlights the obedience and faithfulness of the people during Joshua’s time.
Faithfulness during Joshua’s leadership: During Joshua’s leadership, the people of Israel served the Lord faithfully. Joshua was a great military leader and a faithful servant of God, who led the Israelites into numerous victories against their enemies. The people witnessed the miraculous works of the Lord firsthand, which strengthened their faith and commitment to Him.
The role of the elders: The verse also mentions the role of the elders who outlived Joshua. These were respected leaders and individuals who had seen all the great works of the Lord in their lifetime. Their presence and influence helped to maintain the people’s devotion to God.
Lessons for us: This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and the need to pass down that knowledge to future generations. The Israelites’ obedience and service to the Lord during Joshua’s time resulted from their personal experiences and witnessing God’s mighty acts. Similarly, as believers today, we should reflect on God’s faithfulness in our lives and share those testimonies with others, particularly the younger generations, to inspire and encourage them in their faith.
The transition to the book of Judges: The book of Judges begins with the death of Joshua and the generation that had witnessed the works of the Lord. As the subsequent verses in Judges reveal, after the passing of Joshua and the elders, the new generation gradually turned away from the Lord and fell into a cycle of disobedience and idolatry. This sets the stage for the overall theme of the book, which depicts a recurring pattern of Israel’s faithlessness and God’s discipline.
In summary, Judges 2:7 (KJV) highlights the faithfulness of the Israelites to the Lord during Joshua’s time and the significant role played by the elders who had witnessed God’s great works. It serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and sharing God’s faithfulness throughout generations.
