People Have To Learn To Choose For Themselves

Though their parents had served God devotedly, and they had heard the stories about God’s protection and experienced the blessings, the next generation was not as conscious of his working, and their children were even less so.  As a result, Judges 2:10-13 tells us, “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.  And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.  And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.”

The younger generations knew about the Lord, but they didn’t know him personally, and thus had no commitment to him.  The ceremonies and rituals of the religions of other groups seemed more exciting and satisfying so they began to adopt the practices and beliefs of those other groups along with their worship of God.  Gradually the focus changed and the other religious beliefs and practices replaced what their old beliefs. 

Israel had covenanted or contracted with God that they would not worship any other deities.  This new generation had broken their contract.  Judges 2:14-15 tells us, “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.  Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.”  Because they had broken their contract with God, he was angry and refused to bless them as he had promised.  In fact, he penalized them for their failure to fulfil the contract much like a modern day contract provides penalties if one of the parties fails to fulfil their contract.   

God did not want to end the contract, so he sent representatives to remind them of their responsibilities and try to work the problems out, and Israel would take action while his representatives were there, but stop as soon as there was no one to enforce their compliance, as Judges 2:16-19 tells us.  “Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.  And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.

And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.  And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.”  When they were fulfilling their covenant, God blessed them, repeatedly bailing them out and helping them fulfill their part. 

Eventually God got tired of bailing them out and decided they would have to stand on their own.  He quit trying to prevent them from coming in contact with temptation, forcing them to make their own decision, as we see in Judges 2:21.  “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.  Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.”

One of the biggest mistakes we can make as parents is never letting our children make their own decisions and protecting them from the consequences.  As a result, they never learn that there are consequences to their actions, either good or bad.  They don’t understand that God will bless obedience or punish disobedience, and see no value in serving him.