“And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.”
Context:The book of Judges is a historical account of the period of Israel’s history between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy. During this time, the Israelites went through a cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance by judges appointed by God. Judges 3:6 is part of a larger section that describes the disobedience of the Israelites and the consequences they faced.
Interfaith Marriage:The verse begins by stating, “And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons.” This verse highlights one of the major issues the Israelites faced during this period-the intermarriage with the surrounding pagan nations. God had commanded the Israelites not to intermarry with the inhabitants of the land because it would lead them to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). By disregarding this command, the Israelites were compromising their faith and falling into idolatry.
Idolatry:The latter part of the verse states, “and served their gods.” Along with intermarriage, the Israelites also adopted the gods and religious practices of the pagan nations around them. This was a direct violation of the first commandment given to them by God: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Instead of remaining faithful to the Lord, they turned away and worshiped false gods, which brought spiritual and moral corruption to the nation.
Consequences:The intermarriage and idolatry described in Judges 3:6 had severe consequences for the Israelites. In the following verses, it is explained that God allowed the king of Mesopotamia to oppress them for eight years as a result of their disobedience. The Israelites suffered under the oppression until they cried out to God for help.
Lessons for Today:This passage serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God and His commands. It shows how compromise in faith can lead to spiritual decline and the acceptance of false gods and practices. The Israelites’ disobedience and intermarriage brought about consequences that caused them to suffer, but when they repented and sought God’s help, He raised up deliverers to rescue them.
Today, this passage can remind believers of the dangers of compromising their faith and conforming to the values and practices of the world. It emphasizes the need to remain steadfast in following God’s commands and not to be swayed by the cultural norms or idolatrous practices that may surround us.
In conclusion, Judges 3:6 highlights the disobedience of the Israelites through intermarriage and idolatry. It serves as a lesson for us to stay faithful to God, resist compromise, and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.
