"The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him... After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD..."

Judges 2:7; 10-11, NIV 

As you read through the book of champions (Judges) you will notice how really bizarre their behavior becomes. They will do things that are confusing at times and which at other times are, for a lack of a better description, repulsive. You may wonder as you read the book of Judges how God's people could ever become like this, but the key is found in the passage above: After Joshua's generation died out, a generation grew up that did not know God.

And when people do not know God, they become depraved. Note, as you read through this book, how completely unworkable life is when people do not know God. Note also how God still loves His children and is willing to come to their rescue the moment they repent. In fact, the basic pattern of the book of Judges is sin, punishment, repentance and rescue.

By understanding this pattern and seeing how God deals with His children, it becomes easier for us to understand what is going on in our own day and age. Our country is going through turmoil now for the same reason that the nation of Israel went through turmoil over three thousand years ago: We have raised a generation that does not know God!

While it's nice to understand that, the real lesson we need to learn is that God will allow us to continue to live in oppression until we repent. If we will repent, He will deliver us. It was true in the time of the judges, and it is true for us now. The only question is, will we learn the lesson and repent before it is too late to do so?

"In those days Israel had no king: everyone did as he saw fit."

Judges 21:25, NIV 

This is the fourth day of the 30 Day Challenge to read through the books of the champions and the kings. Today's reading is the first seven chapters of Judges. Our 30 day Bible challenge website has been completely renovated, so be sure to go by and visit it to see what's new! May God richly bless your efforts as you seek His will from His word!