When we read the Bible we tend to look at the Characters and Heroes of Faith in the passages and try to emulate them. We look at ourselves and want to be like the heroes in the Scriptures. Sadly, we tend to forget the real Protagonist in the Bible and His name is YHWH, the God of the Bible.
When we read and study the Book of Judges it mentions there how the people of Israel tend to forget this Great God and focus on other things. This lifestyle is called Idolatry. Even in our times now whether you consider yourself religious or not, there is a tendency of us focusing on other things other than the One who deserve our worship and value of His worth.
This pandemic has really put in perspective things that really matter. Things that we used to value and chase after failed us. Entertainment, fame, social status and even riches prove to be insignificant once you get infected by a small virus that you and I can't even see. Our life truly is under God's hand. We have seen breakthrough incidents with fully vaccinated people. 95% immunity is not 100%
Going back to Judges, as the people of Israel experience pain and problems due to their negligence, God always find a way to save them. He sent judges or leaders to help them in their struggles and captivities. We are to take note that these leaders themselves still fail God yet they are a preview of a Savior that God will send to save them and the world. The name of the Savior is Jesus Christ, God Himself.
So what can we learn in Judges about God?
I. God is a gracious God
And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.
Joshua 24:13 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jos.24.13.KJV
He wants to bless and take care of His people.
II. God is jealous God
And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
Joshua 24:19-20 KJV
Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Deuteronomy 6:14-15 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/deu.6.14-15.KJV
Sadly, until now we still have other gods (Fame, fortune, pleasure, culture, lifestyle, etc.)
III. God is a forgiving God
And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them
Judges 2:18
https://bible.com/bible/1/jdg.2.18-19.KJV
Are we willing to turn away from all these distractions and turn towards the God of the Universe, the only One who can save and satisfy?
IV. God is a covenantal God
If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:20-21 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jos.24.20-21.KJV
A covenant is an agreement between you and God. That this great God will be your God and it includes you loving Him above everything else.
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mark 12:28-30 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.12.28-30.KJV