1. Until the death of Joshua (1-10)

The Joshua and the Israelites did not completely drive out the Canaanites. Rather, they compromised with them. God was angry, so he did not drive out the Canaanites. The evil seed of Canaanite culture and religion was planted in the life of the people. As long as Joshua and his generation lived, the people served the Lord. Then, a generation grew up who did not know the Lord or what he had done for Israel.

2. Then the Lord raised up judges (11-23)

After the death of Joshua, they had no shepherd and no word of God. A pattern of national decline set in. First, idolatry and moral corruption; Second, punishment--oppression by enemies. Third, they cried out to the Lord. Fourth, God raised up a judge to deliver them. Fifth, they had peace for a while--during the lifetime of the judge. Then, the people again begin worshiping Canaanite the gods and following their evil practices. Because Israel violated their covenant with God and did not listen, he left the Canaanites in the land to test and train his people.

Application: Lord, forgive our sins. Give us your word and raise up shepherds. Help us remember your grace.
One Word: God delivers repentant people