54. Not a Time of National Unity.—During all these many years, the government of the people was largely that of the tribal leaders. There was not the national unity that we saw in the days of their two great leaders, Moses and Joshua. Nor was there the same unity of action that came later on under the kings. But none the less, the great need of the people during these years was not so much political as religious. Had they only obeyed the commands of God as given to Moses, and as reiterated by the angel of the Lord to Joshua, God would not have permitted them to be ground under the heel of their oppressors as they were. We fail to read the story aright unless we seize the truth that righteousness exalts a people, while sin is a reproach to any nation. This truth has its modern as well as its ancient application.
Test Questions
Where was Israel at the time of the death of Moses?
Whom did God appoint to be Moses' successor?
What peculiarity was there in God's directions to Joshua?
In what order were the different parts of the land conquered?
Tell of the great assembly at Shechem.
What was the general trend of the history of Israel during the times of the Judges?
What was the cause of each period of "oppression"?