Throughout the Bible, whenever the concept of the Gospel is introduced, it is usually accompanied by two components that could not be farther apart: 1) utter sinfulness of mankind; and 2) abundant grace and goodness of God. Just to list a few examples: God promised the restoration of mankind by crushing the head of the serpent as soon as Adam and Eve sinned (Gen 3); Romans 3 states that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” then says, “all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Judges 2 shows repeatedly this exact pattern: utter sinfulness and hopeless of the Israelites followed by God’s grace and compassion. Although the events in Judges 2 can be depressing, hope is embedded in between lines.

Fake Tears

The angel of the LORD came from Gilgal to Bochim to rebuke the children of Israel with stark news because they had failed to obey the LORD: He would no longer drive out other nations and they would become as thorns in Israel’s sides and their gods would be a snare to Israel (Judges 2:3). In response, all the sons of Israel lifted up their voices and wept and sacrificed to the LORD in Bochim (2:4-5).

The form of repentance was there, but missing was the true substance in Israel’s reaction to the rebuke of the LORD. To borrow the term used by Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians, this action by Israel is considered worldly sorrows (2 Corinth 7:10): frankly, fake tears, not repentance. Israel demonstrated all the outside elements that are typical of repentance: weeping, voiced lifted, and sacrifices. They were sorrowful because they were losing the privileges granted by the LORD, such as God’s fighting for them to drive out other nations. They were sorrowful because they were merely afraid. Mostly importantly, their behaviors did not change in the aftermath. Israel continued to do evil in the sight of the LORD, serving Baal (2:11), and they forsook the LORD and followed other gods and served Baal and the Ashtaroth (2:13). Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but wordly sorrows brings death (2 Corinth 7:10). This event was not godly sorrow, but worldly sorrow that led to the death (at least spiritually) in Israel. 

Failed Education and Stubborn Heart

After the death of Joshua, it was said “there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel (2:10).” This is indeed a sad statement, yet very instructional for us. 

First, the arising of another generation who did not know the LORD reflects the extreme difficulty of instilling the knowledge of the true LORD God to our children. All throughout the books of Moses, especially from Exodus to Deuteronomy, Moses implored the Israelites over and over the importance of knowing the LORD and teaching this core, life principle to their children. Deuteronomy 6 was just one of the many examples where Moses commanded to teach children and their children so that they may fear the LORD (Deuteronomy 6:2). Joshua relayed this message as well. When Joshua led Israel to cross the Jordan River, he picked up twelve stones to remind the LORD to their children (Josh 4:4-7). After defeating Ai, Joshua wrote down the entire word of the LORD on stone before all the sons of Israel as well as aliens (Josh 8:34-35). Before his death, Joshua made an emphatic statement in his last public address to urge Israel to follow the true LORD (Joshua 24:14-15). Yet, despite all these efforts from the godly leaders, the next generation quickly forgot the LORD. 

Second, the arising of the next generation who did not know the LORD points to the inherent evil condition of the heart of mankind. Sin made a grand entry to this world with Adam’s transgression (Genesis 3). Since then, it was described “every intention of the thoughts of his was only evil continually (Gen 6:5).” It also points to the book of Romans, where Paul stated, “There is no righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands (Romans 3:10).” 

Without God, Israel was hopeless. Without God, mankind is hopeless.

Utter Hopelessness

The Israelites were amazingly good at two things: 1) forsaking the LORD; and 2) serving/following other gods. Their actions were listed aplenty in this chapter. They did evil in the sight of the LORD (2:11). They forsook the LORD and followed other gods (2:12). That they forsook the LORD and served other gods is repeated again (2:13). Even when the LORD raised up judges who delivered Israel, they still did not listen to judges or the LORD and they continued to prostitute themselves and worshiped other gods (2:17). After the judge died, they would act more corruptly than before, in following other gods (2:19). They continued to hold on to their stubborn heart, refusing to abandon their evil practices (2:19).

The list is overwhelming. Is there any hope for Israel? 

God’s Continued Compassion

God is amazingly persistent in pursuing His people by reaching out to them and giving a second chance over and over. 

In contrast to Israelite’s stubborn ways, God continued to demonstrate His grace and compassion. The LORD in HIs mercy raised up the judges to deliver disobeying Israel from a strong enemy (2:16). Even when Israel did not listen to the judges, the LORD stayed with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies (2:18). The LORD had compassion for them when they were groaning because of the affliction and oppression (2:18)

Gospel: God’s Continual Pursuit over Utter Hopelessness of Mankind

This chapter shows these two components abundantly: Utter sinfulness of Israel and abundant grace and goodness of God. 

Therefore, this chapter is the Gospel. Well, in fact, the entire Bible is the Gospel. I hope you perceive and experience this.