◄ Judges 2:22 ►
In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did."
Study Bible
In this way
This phrase refers to the method God uses to test Israel, which involves leaving certain nations in the land. The context is the period after Joshua's death when Israel failed to fully drive out the Canaanites. This divine testing serves as a means to reveal Israel's faithfulness or lack thereof.

I will test
The concept of testing is prevalent throughout Scripture, often used by God to refine and prove the faith of His people. Examples include Abraham's test with Isaac (Genesis 22) and the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4). Testing is not for God's knowledge, as He is omniscient, but for the benefit of the people to understand their own hearts.

whether Israel will keep
Keeping the way of the LORD involves obedience to His commandments and statutes. The covenant relationship established at Sinai required Israel to adhere to God's laws as a sign of their faithfulness and devotion. This phrase underscores the conditional nature of the covenant blessings.

the way of the LORD
This phrase signifies the path of righteousness and obedience to God's commands. It is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lifestyle that aligns with God's will. Proverbs 10:29 refers to the way of the LORD as a stronghold for the blameless, highlighting its protective and guiding nature.

by walking in it
Walking in the way of the LORD implies a continuous, active lifestyle of obedience and faith. It is not merely about knowing God's laws but living them out daily. This imagery of walking is used throughout Scripture to describe a life of faith, as seen in Enoch's walk with God (Genesis 5:24).

as their fathers did
This refers to the patriarchs and faithful ancestors who followed God's commands. It serves as a reminder of the covenantal faithfulness expected of Israel, drawing on the legacy of figures like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The call to emulate their faithfulness is a recurring exhortation in the Old Testament.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israel
The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In this context, Israel is being tested by God to see if they will remain faithful to His commandments.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from Egypt and gave them the Law through Moses. He is testing Israel's faithfulness to His ways.

3. The Fathers
Refers to the ancestors of the Israelites, particularly those who followed God during the time of Moses and Joshua. They are the benchmark for faithfulness to God's commandments.

4. Canaan
The land promised to the Israelites, where they are now living among other nations. The presence of these nations serves as a test for Israel's obedience to God.

5. Testing
The process by which God examines Israel's faithfulness. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where God tests His people to refine and strengthen their faith.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Testing
God allows tests to reveal the true nature of our faith. Just as Israel was tested, believers today are called to remain faithful amidst trials.

Learning from the Past
The faithfulness of the "fathers" serves as an example. We should learn from the past and strive to emulate the obedience of those who walked closely with God.

Walking in God’s Ways
Obedience to God’s commandments is a daily walk. It requires intentionality and commitment, just as Israel was called to walk in the ways of the LORD.

The Purpose of Trials
Trials are not merely punitive but are designed to refine and strengthen our faith. Understanding this can help us endure with hope and perseverance.

Community Accountability
Just as Israel was tested as a community, believers are part of a faith community that can support and hold each other accountable in walking with God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of testing in Judges 2:22 relate to the trials we face in our own lives today?

2. In what ways can we learn from the faithfulness of the "fathers" mentioned in this passage? How can their example guide us in our spiritual journey?

3. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are "walking in the way of the LORD" in our daily lives?

4. How can understanding the purpose of trials change our perspective on the challenges we face?

5. In what ways can we, as a faith community, support each other in remaining faithful to God’s commandments?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 8:2
This verse speaks about God leading Israel through the wilderness to test them, similar to the testing mentioned in Judges 2:22.

Psalm 26:2
David asks God to test and try him, reflecting a personal desire for God’s examination, akin to the national testing of Israel.

James 1:2-4
The New Testament speaks about trials testing faith, producing perseverance, and maturity, which parallels the testing of Israel to strengthen their commitment to God.
Sermons
The Judges, Their Choice, Function, and AdministrationL. H. Wiseman, M. A.Judges 2:16-23
Tested by TemptationW.F. Adeney Judges 2:21, 22
People
Israelites, Joshua, Nun
Places
Bochim, Egypt, Gaash, Gilgal, Timnath-heres
Topics
Care, Fathers, Forefathers, Keeping, Kept, Order, Prove, Test, Therein, Try, Walk, Walking, Whether
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 2:22

     5473   proof, through testing

Judges 2:6-23

     8705   apostasy, in OT

Judges 2:10-23

     8728   enemies, of Israel and Judah

Judges 2:20-23

     1305   God, activity of

Judges 2:21-22

     4019   life, believers' experience

Library
A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
'And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. 2. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3. Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Israel's Obstinacy and God's Patience
'And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim; 12. And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. 13. And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. 14. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Whether the Female Sex is an Impediment to Receiving Orders?
Objection 1: It would seem that the female sex is no impediment to receiving Orders. For the office of prophet is greater than the office of priest, since a prophet stands midway between God and priests, just as the priest does between God and people. Now the office of prophet was sometimes granted to women, as may be gathered from 4 Kings 22:14. Therefore the office of priest also may be competent to them. Objection 2: Further, just as Order pertains to a kind of pre-eminence, so does a position …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Judges.
Judges 1; 1 Sam. 7. The Characteristics of the Times. This is a period of transition for Israel Nothing was quite certain, and "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (17:6). In consequence of this there was lack of organization, cooperation or leadership. While we do not have all the history covered by the period and while we do not easily understand or explain its events, it is clear that things did not run smoothly. In Judges 2:16-19 the author gives a vivid picture of the conditions …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to Its Heavenly Origin
The title of this chapter suggests a wide field of study the limits of which we can now only skirt here and there. To begin with the writers of the Old Testament. Had the historical parts of the Old Testament been a forgery, or the production of uninspired men, their contents would have been very different to what they are. Each of its Books was written by a descendant of Abraham, yet nowhere do we find the bravery of the Israelites extolled and never once are their victories regarded as the outcome …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Doctrine of Angels.
I. THEIR EXISTENCE. 1. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. 2. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES. II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT. 4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. THE FALL OF ANGELS. 1. TIME AND CAUSE. 2. THE WORK OF FALLEN ANGELS. 3. THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS. IV. THE WORK OF ANGELS. 1. THEIR HEAVENLY MINISTRY. 2. THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY. a) In Relation to the Believer. b) In Relation to Christ's Second Coming. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS. We are not …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

A Case of Conscience Resolved
WHETHER, WHERE A CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SITUATE, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE WOMEN OF THAT CONGREGATION, ORDINARILY, AND BY APPOINTMENT, TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR BRETHREN, AND SO TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER, TO PERFORM SOME PARTS OF DIVINE WORSHIP, AS PRAYER, ETC., WITHOUT THEIR MEN? AND THE ARGUMENTS MADE USE OF FOR THAT PRACTICE, EXAMINED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This exceedingly rare tract was first published in 1683, and was not reprinted, either separately, or in any edition of Bunyan's …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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