The Cycle of Sin

The book of Judges showed the failure of Israel to conquer their enemies, claim their inheritance, and the massive effect that this had on their life and relationship with God. Throughout the entire book, we see a repeated cycle of sin.

In Judges 2:18-19, it stated:

Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

These two verses showed the pattern for the entire book. It showed a pattern of sin, bondage, and repentance that lasted for nearly 350 years. There was a cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, devotion, followed by sin and bondage again. They never grew tired of sinning against God even if they already knew the results of their actions.

They will just follow the Lord when their leader reminded them of the ways in which they should walk. But when Joshua died, they wandered again and sinned against God. They followed their own desires instead of doing what was right in the eyes of God.

Every time they sinned, God would allow an enemy to conquer the people for them to go back to God out of desperation. But this cycle did not end during their time. We can see people today who have the cycle of sin in their lives. They do not get tired of sinning against God. The reason why it is so easy for us to go back to our sinful ways is because we are born sinners. But the grace of God is always present and sufficient.