In our last study in judges, we saw the judgment against Abimelech and the men of Shechem who initially aligned themselves with Abimelech but later turned against him.
What we gleaned from Abimelech’s story is God does not ignore ore wink at sin. In the old covenant, God dealt with sin with harsh judgment, but always with mercy, and when judgment came, it was in administered by a perfect God who knows the heart of all men, so His judgments are right and true.
Deuteronomy 4:5-8
5 “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. 6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? 8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Now in the new covenant, judgment is still administered, but God’s judgment was poured out upon Jesus and all who will believe, will not face His wrath which will be poured out upon the world and those who remain in their sin. The one thing we know is Jesus is coming back for His church and in His timing, judgment will come and it will be a righteous judgment in the end as it has always been since the fall of man.
This week we will see a couple of judges raised up but we don’t have a lot of information on them. We will also see Israel once again fall back into idolatry and turn away from God which always brings the same result.
