We've followed the outlines of Joshua's life as he led Israel into the Promised Land. Now Joshua is dead and things get challenging for Israel's faithfulness. The next few days introduce the Book of the Judges and a particularly disturbing part of Israel's story. With what follows the temptation is to look at Israel's failing and (as David Brooks wrote this morning in the NY Times) "feel superior." The more helpful spiritual practice with readings like these is to reflect on how we turn away in our discipleship and how we can learn to be more faithful. After all, we follow a savior who was faithful unto death.
God bless,
Sam
Judges 2:7-13
7The people worshiped the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. 8Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of one hundred ten years. 9So they buried him within the bounds of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10Moreover, that whole generation was gathered to their ancestors, and another generation grew up after them, who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.
11Then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and worshiped the Baals; 12and they abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; they followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were all around them, and bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger. 13They abandoned the Lord, and worshipped Baal and the Astartes.
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