“And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?”
Context:The book of Judges describes a period of Israel’s history after the death of Joshua, where the Israelites were governed by a series of judges who acted as deliverers and leaders. The book portrays a cycle of the Israelites turning away from God, falling into idolatry, experiencing oppression from neighboring nations, crying out to God for help, and then being delivered by a judge raised up by God. Judges 10:11 occurs in the midst of one such cycle.
Historical background:The children of Israel had been delivered from slavery in Egypt through the Exodus and had witnessed numerous acts of God’s faithfulness and provision. However, despite God’s deliverance and constant care, the Israelites repeatedly turned away from Him, worshipping other gods and falling into idolatry. As a result, they faced the consequences of their actions, experiencing oppression from various nations.
Divine question:In Judges 10:11, the Lord addresses the Israelites and poses a question to them. The Lord reminds them of His past acts of deliverance: delivering them from the Egyptians during the Exodus, from the Amorites in their conquest of Canaan, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines. By asking this question, God is highlighting His faithfulness and reminding the Israelites of His role as their deliverer.
Purpose of the question:The question asked by the Lord serves to challenge the Israelites and provoke them to reflect on their actions. It exposes the ungratefulness and forgetfulness of the people. Despite experiencing God’s miraculous interventions in the past, they had abandoned Him to worship foreign gods and were now facing the consequences of their choices.
Lessons for us:This passage reminds us of the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and deliverance in our lives. It shows the tendency of human nature to forget God’s goodness and turn away from Him when things are going well. We are called to remain steadfast in our devotion to God and to constantly acknowledge His hand in our lives. It also serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and the pursuit of false gods, which ultimately lead to spiritual bondage and oppression.
In summary, Judges 10:11 highlights God’s faithfulness and challenges the Israelites to reflect on their unfaithfulness and idolatry. It serves as a reminder for us to remember God’s deliverance and goodness in our lives and to remain faithful to Him, avoiding the worship of false gods.
