Earnest intentions

We’re into our second week if the Immerse Reading Experience. We’re reading the book of Judges to start the week, and this caught my eye:

But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.
    Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and said, “Because this nation has violated the covenant I ordained for their ancestors and has not listened to me, I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their ancestors did." (Judges 2:19–22)

The people of Israel had earnestly promised to be loyal to the LORD and to follow in his ways, yet here they are within a generation they are spiraling downward away from love and holiness toward self-indulgence, self-centeredness, and violence. 

God’s punishment is to remove at least some of his protection of them, and they will be severely tested. What will the tribes do in response? 

Stay tuned; keep reading….