Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on Judges 10-11:
As we work our way through that period of redemptive history known as the time of the judges, we meet people much like ourselves. On the one hand, the Israelites are secure in the blessings of God, and yet on the other, they still struggle with their sin. Despite the presence of Levitical priests in fifty cities throughout Israel (who are to perform the necessary sacrifices and teach the people about God’s law), God’s people are surrounded by every sort of pagan temptation. The Israelites are continually being pulled away from YHWH toward the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth. They continually brought down upon themselves the covenant curses. And the judges God sends to rescue them can do nothing to deal with sin’s guilt and power, the root of all of Israel’s troubles. The parallels are obvious–we too live at a time when we are surrounded by pagan temptations, and we too are constantly being pulled away from Jesus Christ by those who delight in doing what is right in their own eyes.
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 