Judges 3:7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.
But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
Judges 3:12 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.
Judges 3:28 “Follow me,” he ordered, “for the Lord has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands.” So they followed him down and took possession of the fords of the Jordan that led to Moab; they allowed no one to cross over. At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not one escaped. That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years.
Judges 4:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help.
Judges 4:31 Then the land had peace forty years.
Can you see the theme here? There was a falling away from God, punishment, calling out to God, and peace restored. In the cases above punishment was for 8 years, a cry to the Lord, and then peace for 40 years. Punishment for 18 years, a cry to the Lord, and peace for 80 years. Punishment for 20 years, a cry to the Lord, and peace for 40 years.
Why is there a falling away from serving and living for Jesus? What causes or leads us down paths that are not God-honoring, God serving, obedient to God, following God, God-reliant, or God trusting. We have been given examples of what others did but if we were to look deep into our heart and mind we might see, self-centered indulgence, pride, complacency, neglect, worldly wants, and a lack of hunger and thirst for God’s word in our life. When His word is set aside because of the busyness of life, your path is already set on a course away from needing Him. This path is very well worn and seems to be the same path that others are on. Following others down this path does not end well.
Do you want power, peace, and purpose in your life? Stay in His word. Cherish it every day. Seek to hear His quiet small voice of leading. Obediently follow Him. Humbly serve Him.