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During the times of the Judges did the Israelites stay faithful to the one true God?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
No. During the times of the judges there were many cycles of backsliding, oppression, repentance and deliverance.
God repeatedly raised up judges each time Israel began to take on the idolatrous practices of the people they failed to drive out of Canaan. Israel became oppressed by these Gentile nations when they repented and cried out to God, God delivered them through judges (military leaders) who over threw the oppressors.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoLong after the time of the Judges, their descendants believed they had, but modern scholarship has shown this not to be the case. Mark S. Smith (The Early History of God) says that according to the available evidence, Israelite religion in its earliest form did not contrast markedly with the religions of its Levantine neighbours in either number or configuration of deities. He says that in the Judges period, Israelite divinities may have included Yahweh, El, Baal and perhaps Asherah as well as the sun, moon and stars. He adds the goddess Astarte for the monarchical period.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoSome yes, some no. Those who went astray after idolatry either repented or went lost; and Judaism today is the continued heritage of those who remained loyal to God.
The Israelites had always worshiped the One God. God wrecked the Egyptian idols (Exodus 12:12) and warned against idolatry (Exodus 22:19). Abraham worshiped "the Lord God of Heaven and Earth" (Genesis 14:22 and 24:3) and complained about the Philistines' lack of fear of God (Genesis 20:11).
(See: A biography of Abraham)
Jacob confiscated the idolatrous images taken from Shechem (Genesis 35:2) and got rid of them (Genesis 35:4); and refrained from invoking the gods of Nahor (Genesis 31:53). Rachel pilfered Laban's statue-images (Genesis 31:19) in order to prevent him from idolatry (Rashi commentary, ibid.). Joseph placed his hope in the God of the Forefathers (Genesis 50:24). Moses characterized the Golden Calf as "a great sin" (Exodus 32:21, 30) and punished the worshipers (Exodus ch.32). During the rest of his lifetime and that of Joshua (Judges 2:7), no incidents of Israelite idolatry were reported.
Shortly before he died, Moses warned the people that he suspected that they would eventually succumb to the lure of the idols (Deuteronomy 29:17). Joshua gave a similar warning (Joshua ch. 24).
These warnings came true. Many of the Israelites went astray after the foreign gods (Judges 2:11). However, the Jews never invented their own idol. It was always the baneful influence of other peoples. And there were times when the entire Israelite nation repented (Judges 2:1-4) and prayed to God (Judges 3:9, 3:15, 6:6, 10:10).
Because of the idol-worship that did happen, ancient images of idols have been found in Israel too. Images of God aren't found because it is forbidden to represent Him through imagery (Deuteronomy 4:15-16).
It should be noted that idolatry was never universal among the Israelites. The tradition of the One God was handed down in every generation, whether by the few or the many; and it is those who handed down that tradition whose beliefs we Jews continue today.
Deborah ascribed victory to God (Judges 4:14), Gideon tore down the idolatrous altar (Judges 6:25-27); Samson prayed to God (Judges 16:28), as did Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11) and Samuel (ibid. 12:18); Eli blessed in the name of God (1 Samuel 2:20), Saul built an altar to God (1 Samuel 14:35); Jonathan ascribed victory to God (1 Samuel 14:12), as did David (1 Samuel 17:46); and Solomon built the Temple for God (1 Kings 8:20). A number of the kings "did what was right in God's eyes": David (1 Kings 15:5), Solomon (see 1 Kings 3:3), Asa (1 Kings 15:11), Yehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:43), Yehu (2 Kings 10:30), Yehoash (2 Kings 12:3), Amatziah (2 Kings 14:3), Azariah (2 Kings 15:3), Yotam (2 Kings 15:34), Hizkiah (2 Kings 18:3), and Josiah (2 Kings 22:2). Even at the height of the unfortunate spread of idolatry among the less-loyal Ten Tribes, there were thousands who remained loyal to God (1 Kings 19:18).
And, of course, the Prophets, who spoke in the name of God and warned against idolatry: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea and so on.
The sages of the Talmud, who ridiculed idolatry (Megillah 25b), were simply continuing in the tradition of the Prophets whose verses are quoted in that context (ibid.).
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During the times of the judges did the Israelites stay faithful to one true God?
No. During the times of the judges there were many cycles of backsliding, oppression, repentance and deliverance. God repeatedly raised up judges each time Israel began to take on the idolatrous practices of the people they failed to drive out of Canaan. Israel became oppressed by these Gentile nations when they repented and cried out to God, God delivered them through judges (military leaders) who over threw the oppressors.
Why were there troubled times for the Israelites?
Depends upon which historical era you're talking about. During the time of the Judges, the Bible makes it clear that the troubles were sent by God when the Israelites became relatively lax in His service (and some of them dabbled in idolatry). In general, Judaism teaches that troubles in this world are to cleanse us and to prepare us for the next world.
What happened to the Israelites when there was not a strong leader?
It's perhaps incorrect to generalize, but at times it happened that some of them strayed into idolatry. This pattern is spelled out in the book of Judges, ch.2.
What was leadership like during biblical times?
Monarchies, patriarchies/matriarchies and rule by judges.
What was the major role of the judges in Hebrew society?
the judges help the Hebrews against their enemies and help stay faithful to Yahweh.
How many times was the Jewish tabernacle moved?
During the Israelites' sojourn in the wilderness, the Tabernacle was moved forty-two times (Numbers ch.33).
Was the nation of Israel Jews?
Yes, during the centuries of the Judges and Kings. During Second Temple times there were Jews and non-Jews in Israel (Judea).
Did the Israelites suffer through difficult economic times during David's rule?
There is no specific mention of the Israelites suffering from difficult economic times during David's rule. David's reign is primarily remembered for his military conquests, expansion of territory, and establishment of Jerusalem as the capital. However, like any kingdom, there may have been economic fluctuations and challenges during his reign.
How many times does the word faithful appear in the Bible?
The word "faithful" appears 157 times in the New International Version of the Bible.
The first female president was from which country?
Argentina has the first female president. Isabel Peron. Tanna Tuva earlier had a female head of an an elected government but her title was not president. Of course, the Israelites in ancient times had female judges that ruled.
How many times is the word faithful mentioned inthe bible?
The word "faithful" is in the King James Version of the Bible 82 times. It is in 78 verses.
In the Bible God was often sending the Israelites to fight. Weren't they other Israelites they were attacking.?
Yes, there were instances in the Bible where the Israelites were commanded by God to engage in battles with other nations. However, it is important to note that these conflicts were typically against nations that were considered enemies of Israel and posed a threat. The Israelites were not generally instructed to attack other fellow Israelites except in cases of rebellion or disobedience.
