Judges 2:1-5

The Angel at Bochim

Read the passage

1Now the angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I had promised to your fathers, and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you,

2and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done?

3So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.”

4When the angel of the LORD had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept.

5So they called that place Bochim and offered sacrifices there to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

The angel of the LORD comes from Gilgal to Bochim with a message Israel needs to hear. The LORD brought them out of Egypt and into the land He promised their fathers. He has not broken His covenant. The failure lies with His people.

God had told them not to make treaties with the people of the land and to tear down their altars. Israel has disobeyed. Now the LORD says He will no longer drive those peoples out before them. They will become thorns in Israel's sides, and their gods will become a snare.

The people weep aloud when they hear this. They name the place Bochim and offer sacrifices to the LORD. Their sorrow is part of the account; we should not dismiss it as pretend. Yet the warning concerns more than how they feel in this moment. The treaties and false worship that brought God's rebuke have consequences for the life they will lead in the land.

The LORD's question, “What is this you have done?” calls them to face their disobedience in the light of His faithfulness.

Questions

1 What has the LORD done for Israel?

AnswerHe brought them out of Egypt and into the promised land. He reminds them that He will never break His covenant with them.

2 Which commands have the Israelites disobeyed?

AnswerThey were not to make treaties with the people of the land, and they were to tear down their altars.

3 What consequences does the LORD announce?

AnswerHe will no longer drive those peoples out. They will be thorns in Israel’s sides, and their gods will be a snare.

4 What should follow when we are sorry for a wrong?

AnswerWe should tell the truth about it and change what we are doing. If we have been spreading a rumor, that includes stopping and correcting what we told others.

What This Means for Us

A rebuke is easier to receive when we stop trying to make the wrong sound smaller. God's faithfulness gives us reason to come honestly before Him. Sorrow can lead to confession and changed conduct. We may still have consequences to face, but we need not keep defending the choice that caused them.

Prayer

Faithful God, help us hear Your correction without making excuses. Let our sorrow lead to honest confession and obedience. Guard us from the sins that entangle us. Amen.

Your reading

Keep your place.

Save this passage to your private reading history.