A lot of Christians tend to ignore the old testament because they feel it is more of a history book than anything else. Let me tell you something, these chapters make me feel as a Christian a whole lot better about myself. Israel are God's chosen, but they sure don't act like it. One minute they are God's #1 fan, and by the next minute they are on to a different God. My life isn't anywhere as drastic and spontaneous as theirs, but I am a sinner. These passages at least let me know that there is hope for sinners, from their time all the way until now.
Israel was a lot like a disobedient child. They fell far from God, God then punished them, they cried out to him, and finally he'd send someone to rescue them. Only problem is the cycle repeated more than one. If you make a mistake, you learn a lesson. If you continue to keep making this mistake, shame on you. Well, shame on Israel!! These people saw the hand of God working for them in ways that I might never get to see, yet they fell so far from him, and yet God loved them. God's love is one of the most amazing and indescribable things around.
The book of Judges will take us through Israel roller coaster history. The high ups and the sudden plunges in faith. Through it all, God displays his love for them AND his anger towards disobedience. We need to learn from the example of Israel that: God is everywhere and you can't fool him, Disobedience doesn't pay, and that God loves you for who you are but loves you too much to let you stay that way. In life we either love God wholeheartedly or love the world but as Israel shows you can't keep swaying back and fourth, we have to choose one.
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