The Israelites had moved into the land that God had promised them.  There were certain responsibilities that they had been given.  “and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?” (Judges 2:2)  Did it really matter that they did not completely follow His commands?  Even though we may not understand how or why, the commands of God have purpose.  It did not take too many years for the Israelites to be influenced by the people who were living around them.  “And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the LORD to anger.” (Judges 2:12)  God knew that the power of influence could pull His people away from Him.  There are several verses throughout the Bible that give us that same warning.  Here are a few examples: 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Psalms 1:1, Psalms 26:4-5, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 14:7, Proverbs 22:24-25

Today’s reading: Judges 1-2