Day 137- Judges 2:6 - 3:6 & Psalm 137

 Julie

This is where the judges are introduced into the story. While they are not yet named, it is highlighting that God brings them in to help change the ways of the Israelites back to his ways. It appears to be a short-lived change and when the judge dies they return to their evil ways. It's amazing that no matter what has happened historically we are doomed to repeat our mistakes. Why?

While it doesn't explicitly say it, the psalm seems to go in line with where we are in Judges. In that, it is talking about Israelites being punished by the Babylonians, but at the time this was God's way of punishing the Israelites. 

 

Michelle

So reading this passage confirms what I thought previously, that they didn't have a "leader" to guide them and remind them of their covenant.  Although I think the priests and such should have been enough for that.  It does seem that their ancestors did not teach them the ways of the Lord and their history though as it speaks of the next generation not knowing the Lord or what he had done for the people.  I find it interesting too that God puts the Judges in place and for a short time the people kind of obey but then quickly turn back to their evil ways.  I can't deny it is easy to do bad, but it is harder in the long run to go that route.  Doing the right thing can be hard sometimes but makes life better in the long run.  It seems the people don't see this either.  I am unsure how the Judges are used here though.  Maybe there will be more explanation.  It also says that God eventually uses those groups left among them to punish the people and teach them. 

This psalm disturbs me a little at the end. But I feel like they are questioning why they should sing songs of the Lord I feel like they should do it.  Maybe it's God's way of testing their faith and obedience to share their faith and love from God.  At the end it says "Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks".  This is disturbing like they are harming the babies and are happy about it.  That is awful.