Judges 2: Cycles

"Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord would be moved to pity by their groaning because of those who persecuted and oppressed them.  But whenever the judge died, they would relapse and behave worse than their ancestors, following other gods, worshiping them and bowing down to them.  They would not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways" (vs. 18-19).

Here is a helpful guide to the Book of Judges:

1. In their prosperity, Israel forgets God.

2. Israel willfully sins against God and worships other gods.

3. God turns His back on the people.

4. Israel falls into trouble, suffering at the hands of other nations.

5. Israel cries out to God for help and deliverance.

6. Moved with compassion, God raises up a Judge to lead the people.

7. The people return to God.

8. Israel is delivered from oppression.

9. The people prosper and are victorious.

10.  In their prosperity, Israel forgets God...

Keep an eye out for this cycle as you read through Judges.  And consider where you (and our nation) may be in that cycle as well!