JUDGES 2 (FROM CAC'S NOTES)
JUDGES 2 (FROM CAC’S NOTES)
It is interesting to see that the last mention of Gilgal, as regards anything transpiring there, is when Caleb came to Joshua to ask for his inheritance (Joshua 14). The end of Joshua 10 is the last return of Joshua and all Israel to Gilgal. The Angel of Jehovah was there though they did not know it. The secret now comes out of the increasing weakness of chapter 1. It is the allowance of the flesh in oneself that exposes us to its influence and power in others — the world, the many antichrists, the liars, those who lead you astray, the practice of lawlessness, many false prophets, and the wicked one. If there was no allowance of the flesh in me there would be power to overcome: this is the real secret of overcoming, the armour is over our spiritual state (Ephesians 6).
But if we fail to return to Gilgal and lose power to overcome, the things which we ought to have overcome remain as a scourge and snare. Jehovah gave up His people to the enemies whom they had allowed through lack of self-judgment. The people weep (verse 4): there is still a measure of right feeling with them; and they sacrifice to Jehovah (verse 5): there is still some sense of what is due to Him. But the power of God is no longer with them for victory; they are left to be scourged and consumed by the things to which they have given place. It is a summing up of the whole history after the death of Joshua.
[p. 225] Verse 6 goes back to the days of Joshua and the elders who survived him. The people served Jehovah during that generation, but another generation arose who knew not Jehovah, nor yet the works which He had done for Israel: succeeding to privileges without soul history. Never having known the bondage of Egypt or the humblings of the wilderness, having no experimental knowledge of the passover or the Red Sea, or the brazen serpent or the passage of Jordan, nor any personal knowledge of God. God would impress upon us thus that each generation must take up things for itself; we cannot go in the faith of those who preceded us. Paul speaks of the unfeigned faith which was in Lois and Eunice, but he adds that it was in Timothy also. Timothy was Paul’s true child in faith (1 Timothy 1).
Our parents might have had us baptised and instructed us in things, but they could not give us personal knowledge of God or of His works; that we have to take up for ourselves.
So that now other masters or persons are served. That is, the things which rule are of men; “Other lords have had dominion over us”. The Ashtoreths (verse 13) might represent what would corrupt our affections. The Baals would be more what the energies are engaged in: it would be what we turn to for amusement or recreation.
Jehovah raised up judges who saved them; but if God raises up a judge he must be listened to. Jehovah was with the judge, He had pity. They ceased not from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.
Jehovah left the nations to prove Israel. “Spoilers that spoiled them” (verse 14). Are we really enjoying the land? Being oppressed and crushed would mean every influence brought to bear that would hinder the enjoyment of the land. Who can tell the religious oppression of penances and the terror of purgatory and the much labour that bears no spiritual fruit?