But it was not long after Joshua’s death that the people began to worship idols and turn away from God.
… the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.… When the Israelites cried to the LORD because of Midian, he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I snatched you from the power of Egypt and from the hand of all your oppressors. I drove them from before you and gave you their land. I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” Judges 6.1,7-10
After the time of Joshua, when their enemies overcame them, the people cried out to God. He had mercy on them. He raised up a ruler, called a “judge,” to drive out their enemies. We read their stories in the book of Judges. The judge ruled the people in justice and peace. But soon after the ruler was gone, the people again turned away from God. Then God’s judgment came on them again through their enemies.
Once again the people cried out for his mercy. Over and over again this happened. For about 200 years these judges were raised up by God to guide the people. Some of them were Samson, Gideon, Jephthah, a woman named Deborah, and the last was Samuel. This was a troubled time in the history of the people of Israel.
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. Judges 17.6
Our God does not leave us alone to only do as we see fit. His judges taught his wisdom long ago, he also teaches us his wisdom today. He lets us decide how to live, but we know this leads us back to a life of sin. God’s mercy is far too deep to let us fall like this. His words and wisdom remain for us if we will just listen to him.