Joshua being dead, the Israelites revolt to strange gods: are oppressed by the Canaanites, and weep, being rebuked by an angel: God afterwards sendeth them judges, who subdue the Canaanites; but after their death the Israelites return to their wickedness, and are punished.
Before Christ 1432.
Judges 2:1. And an angel of the Lord— This should be rendered, and the angel of the Lord; for it is plain beyond all controversy, from the context, that this angel was the great messenger of the covenant, the same who led the children of Israel out of Egypt, and concerning whom we have spoken so often in the foregoing notes. He came up from Gilgal to Bochim. Probably he had made his first appearance at Gilgal, and had there communicated to some persons of distinction his commission. Bochim, doubtless, means the same as Shiloh. The reason of the former name is given in Judges 2:5.
REFLECTIONS.—Such a glaring violation of the divine command as they had committed in their treatment of the Canaanites could not fail of a divine rebuke. Accordingly, when they were assembled, probably at one of the solemn feasts at Shiloh, God sends them a solemn message.
1. The person who brought it is called an angel of the Lord, the glorious angel of the covenant, the eternal Redeemer, Jesus the Son of God, who speaks in his own name. He came from Gilgal, in some glorious manner probably, which attracted their notice, and was the same person who had before appeared there to Joshua as the captain of the Lord's hosts.
His expostulation with them is sharp and pointed. He reminds them of his mercies in bringing them from Egypt; of his gracious covenant, which on his part had been, and would have been for ever, if they had been faithful, punctually fulfilled. He mentions the reasonable expectations he had, that they should comply with his orders in erasing every monument of idolatry, and utterly destroying the people. In direct opposition to which, they had spared the Canaanites, and connived at their worship; for all which they were without excuse. Therefore, as the just punishment of such neglect and disobedience, God will stay the current of their victories; will make those very sinners whom they have spared their scourge, and leave them to follow those gods whose altars they refused to destroy. Note; (1.) Sinners are without excuse. (2.) They who expect advantage from friendship with the enemies of God will be utterly deceived. (3.) Those corruptions to which we allow the lowest measure of indulgence will soon gain strength, and quickly prove our conquerors. (4.) They, who offend God by one sin, provoke him to give them up to a greater.
3. Struck with the alarming message, and confounded by the presence of their Lord, the tears of penitential sorrow burst from their eyes. They cried aloud for mercy, that they might avert the judgments which were threatened; offered sacrifices, that, by the blood of atonement they might obtain pardon of their sin; and called the name of the place Bochim, weepers, to perpetuate the memory of their humiliations. Note; (1.) They, who have felt the bitterness of sin, are no strangers to the tears of penitence. (2.) When God's word makes the heart tremble, there is hope; for to that man will God look. (3.) The sins that we lament we must reform, else our repentance will be hypocrisy. Many melt under the terrors of God's word, who quickly return to their iniquities, as the dog to his vomit. (4.) Not all our tears are available to wash away our sins; the blood of the Lamb which was slain is alone able to make us pure from our iniquity.