In our last study we saw the Lord came and chastised Israel for not following through with His command to drive out the nations as they took the Promised Land. After Joshua died and the generation that served under him died, a new generation came up and they were not taught about the Lord and how He delivered them from Egypt, the miracles, the provision, and His awesome power and holiness. So the pattern began. Intermingling with the nations that should have been driven out or destroyed, they began to follow their pagan gods and turned from the Lord. He then left these nations in tact to be a thorn and to test Israel. They came up short over and over. Go would then give them judges to deliver them from their enemies, but as soon as one would die, they reverted back to their fleshly nature and the cycle continued. This week before we get to the first judge, I want us to look at the gods that Israel turned to. Who they were and what they represented. As we will see, these same gods are worshipped right here in our culture today! As I have mentioned before, Satan doesn’t have a huge arsenal, he just repackages the same deceptions and then spews them out over nations and cultures so most people don’t recognize them for what they are. Demonic lies and idolatry.
