Setting – After the death of Abimelech and then the judges of Tola and Jair, Israel worshiped foreign gods and completely abandoned the Lord.
Content – Tola and Jair served as judges over Israel after the death of Abimelech; Israel experienced peace again during this time. But after these judges, Israel worshiped the images of Baal and Ashtoreth and served the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia. God’s response to this was (v. 7-8), “So the LORD burned with anger against Israel, and he handed them over to the Philistines and the Ammonites, who began to oppress them that year. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites east of the Jordan River in the land of the Amorites (that is, in Gilead).”
Eventually, Israel cried out for help to God. God’s response reminded them that He rescued them from their enemies before, but in addition to this He said (v. 14), “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!” Israel still pleaded to God and put away their idols and God’s response to this (v. 16), “…And he was grieved by their misery”
The Ammonites gathered at Gilead to war against Israel. The leaders of Gilead said (v. 18), “…Whoever attacks the Ammonites first will become ruler over all the people of Gilead.”
Application – God still heard the cry of Israel even though they completely abandoned Him and served other God’s. God always hears us, even when we have completely ignored or abandoned Him. Even though we might be far from God, He is never far from us.
Content – Tola and Jair served as judges over Israel after the death of Abimelech; Israel experienced peace again during this time. But after these judges, Israel worshiped the images of Baal and Ashtoreth and served the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia. God’s response to this was (v. 7-8), “So the LORD burned with anger against Israel, and he handed them over to the Philistines and the Ammonites, who began to oppress them that year. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites east of the Jordan River in the land of the Amorites (that is, in Gilead).”
Eventually, Israel cried out for help to God. God’s response reminded them that He rescued them from their enemies before, but in addition to this He said (v. 14), “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!” Israel still pleaded to God and put away their idols and God’s response to this (v. 16), “…And he was grieved by their misery”
The Ammonites gathered at Gilead to war against Israel. The leaders of Gilead said (v. 18), “…Whoever attacks the Ammonites first will become ruler over all the people of Gilead.”
Application – God still heard the cry of Israel even though they completely abandoned Him and served other God’s. God always hears us, even when we have completely ignored or abandoned Him. Even though we might be far from God, He is never far from us.
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