What does Judges 2:11 mean?
"¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:" - Judges 2:11
Judges 2:11 - "¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"
The verse Judges 2:11 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim." This verse is found in the book of Judges, which details the period in Israel's history after Joshua's leadership and before the monarchy was established.
The book of Judges is a historical and theological account of the early days of the nation of Israel. It covers the time period after Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land and before the establishment of the monarchy with King Saul. During this period, Israel was led by a series of judges, who were military and spiritual leaders raised up by God to deliver the people from oppression and rebellion.
The verse in question, Judges 2:11, is a summary statement that serves as a prelude to the cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that is repeated throughout the rest of the book. It sets the stage for the tumultuous and often tragic events that follow, demonstrating the moral and spiritual decline of the nation of Israel.
The phrase "the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim" is significant in several ways. First, it highlights the repeated pattern of rebellion and idolatry that characterized the Israelites during this time. Despite God's faithfulness and the many miracles he performed on their behalf, the people continued to turn away from him and worship false gods such as Baal.
Baal was a pagan god worshipped by the Canaanites, the native inhabitants of the land that the Israelites had been commanded to conquer. The worship of Baal involved fertility rituals, sacrifices, and other immoral practices that were an abomination to the Lord. By serving Baalim, the Israelites were not only turning their backs on the true God but also engaging in wicked and detestable practices that violated their covenant with Yahweh.
The phrase "did evil in the sight of the Lord" also underscores the moral and spiritual depravity of the Israelites during this period. It conveys the idea that their actions were not just morally wrong but also offensive to God, who sees and judges all things. The Israelites' disobedience and idolatry grieved the Lord and provoked his righteous anger against them.
In a broader theological context, this verse serves as a warning and a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion. It illustrates the destructive nature of idolatry and the slippery slope of moral compromise, as the Israelites' spiritual decline ultimately led to their oppression and suffering.
Throughout the book of Judges, the pattern of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance is repeated, demonstrating God's faithfulness in the midst of human faithlessness. Despite the Israelites' repeated disobedience, God raised up judges like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson to rescue them from their enemies and lead them back to him.
Ultimately, the verse Judges 2:11 serves as a poignant reminder of the human tendency towards sin and idolatry, as well as God's faithfulness in the face of our unfaithfulness. It serves as a call to repentance and a summons to wholehearted devotion to the one true God, who alone is worthy of worship and praise.
Judges 2:11 Artwork
Judges 2:11 - "¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"
Judges 12:11 - "¶ And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years."
1 Corinthians 11:31 - "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."
Job 31:11 - "For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges."
Psalms 148:11 - "Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:"
Judges 11:14 - "And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:"
John 16:11 - "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."
Judges 3:11 - "And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died."
Judges 14:11 - "And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him."
Judges 2:16 - "¶ Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them."
Ezekiel 11:11 - "This city shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; but I will judge you in the border of Israel:"
Judges 11:4 - "¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel."
Judges 11:27 - "Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon."
Judges 2:13 - "And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth."
Judges 17:11 - "And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons."
Matthew 7:1-2 - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Judges 11:40 - "That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year."
Judges 11:6 - "And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon."
Judges 11:11 - "Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh."
2 Samuel 7:11 - "And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house."
Judges 10:2 - "And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir."
Judges 11:28 - "Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him."
Judges 1:11 - "And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher:"
Judges 11:1 - "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah."
Judges 20:11 - "So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man."
Judges 11:2 - "And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman."
1 Corinthians 6:2 - "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"
James 2:4 - "Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?"
Judges 2:5 - "And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD."
1 Corinthians 11:13 - "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?"