Judges 2:22

KJV

That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep [it], or not.

KJV (with Strong's)

That through them I may prove {H5254} Israel {H3478}, whether they will keep {H8104} the way {H1870} of the LORD {H3068} to walk {H3212} therein, as their fathers {H1} did keep {H8104} it, or not.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is how I will test Isra'el, to see whether or not they will keep the way of ADONAI, living according to it, as their ancestors did."

Berean Standard Bible

In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did.”

American Standard Version

that by them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of Jehovah to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:22 provides a crucial divine explanation for the continued presence of unconquered Canaanite nations in the land of Israel after the death of Joshua. Rather than completing the expulsion as commanded, the Israelites had fallen into disobedience and idolatry. This verse reveals that God, in His sovereign wisdom and as a consequence of their unfaithfulness, purposed to use these remaining nations as a crucible to test Israel's loyalty and commitment to His covenant, discerning whether they would truly "keep the way of the LORD" unlike the generation that had apostatized.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 2:22 stands as a pivotal explanatory verse within a somber and significant theological section of the Book of Judges, specifically following the Angel of the LORD's pronouncement at Bochim (Judges 2:1-5) and the subsequent description of Israel's rapid spiritual decline. The preceding verses (Judges 2:6-19) detail the death of Joshua's generation—a generation largely faithful to the LORD—and the rise of a new generation that "knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel" (Judges 2:10). This new generation quickly abandoned the LORD, serving Baal and Ashtaroth, and intermarrying with the very nations God had commanded them to utterly dispossess. As a direct consequence of this covenant breach and spiritual apostasy, God declares in Judges 2:20-21 that He would no longer drive out the remaining nations before them. Judges 2:22 then clarifies God's specific, redemptive purpose for this judgment: to test Israel's faithfulness, setting the stage for the cyclical narrative of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the entire book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Judges chronicles the period between the conquest under Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy, a time of decentralized tribal rule in ancient Israel. Culturally, Israel was surrounded by Canaanite city-states deeply entrenched in polytheistic worship, particularly the fertility cults of Baal and Asherah, which involved ritual prostitution and child sacrifice. God's command to utterly destroy these nations (known as *herem*) was not merely a military strategy but a theological imperative to preserve Israel's covenant purity and prevent syncretism with these corrupting influences, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - Warnings Against Alliances"). The Israelites' failure to fully obey this command, opting instead for coexistence and assimilation, led directly to their spiritual compromise. The "way of the LORD" refers to the covenant stipulations given at Mount Sinai, encompassing the moral, ethical, and cultic laws designed to set Israel apart as God's holy people, especially the foundational command to have no other gods before Him, as articulated in [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the Book of Judges and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Testing and Proving**, where God, in His sovereignty, allows challenging circumstances (the remaining nations) not to tempt Israel into sin, but to reveal the true state of their hearts and their commitment to His covenant. This testing serves to expose their latent idolatry and call them back to faithfulness. Secondly, it underscores the critical importance of **Covenant Obedience versus Disobedience**. The entire Judges period is a testament to the consequences of Israel's failure to "keep the way of the LORD," demonstrating that God's blessings were contingent upon their fidelity to the covenant, while disobedience inevitably led to judgment and oppression (cf. [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Thirdly, the phrase "as their fathers did keep [it], or not" introduces the theme of **Generational Faithfulness and Apostasy**. It draws a stark contrast between the generation that experienced God's mighty acts in the wilderness and the conquest, and the subsequent generation that quickly abandoned Him. This emphasizes the vital need for each generation to personally embrace and transmit the covenant faith, a theme echoed throughout the wisdom literature (e.g., [Psalm 78:1-8](/psalm/78-1 "Psalm 78:1-8 - God's Law to be Taught to Generations")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prove (Hebrew, _nasah'_):** The Hebrew verb נָסָה (_nasah_) means "to test," "to try," "to assay," or "to prove." It signifies a process of examination designed to reveal the true character, quality, or loyalty of a person or thing. In this context, God's "proving" of Israel is not an attempt to tempt them into sin (which is contrary to God's nature, cf. [James 1:13](/james/1-13 "James 1:13 - God Does Not Tempt")), but rather to demonstrate or reveal their inner disposition and whether their external actions align with their covenant obligations. It's a test of their spiritual integrity and faithfulness, much like refining gold in a furnace to remove impurities.
* **Keep the way of the LORD (Hebrew, _shamar derekh YHWH'_):** The phrase "keep the way of the LORD" is profoundly significant. "Keep" (שָׁמַר, _shamar_) implies guarding, observing, preserving, or diligently obeying. "Way" (דֶּרֶךְ, _derekh_) refers not just to a path or road, but metaphorically to a course of life, a manner of conduct, or a set of principles. Thus, "the way of the LORD" signifies God's commandments, statutes, and the entire covenant lifestyle He ordained for Israel. It encompasses their moral, ethical, and religious practices, demanding a comprehensive commitment to His will and His unique identity as their God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That through them I may prove Israel,"**: This clause reveals God's active, sovereign purpose behind allowing the remaining nations to persist. They are not merely an accidental leftover but are divinely purposed as instruments of testing. God is not passive in Israel's history; He uses even the consequences of their disobedience to further His purposes of refining and revealing.
* **"whether they will keep the way of the LORD"**: This specifies the nature of the test. It's a test of obedience and fidelity to the covenant. The "way of the LORD" refers to the totality of His commands and the lifestyle He prescribed, particularly the exclusive worship of Him and the rejection of idolatry. The test is designed to determine if Israel will uphold their end of the covenant relationship.
* **"to walk therein,"**: This phrase emphasizes the practical, lived dimension of their obedience. "Walking" (הָלַךְ, _halakh_) is a common biblical metaphor for one's conduct, lifestyle, or manner of living. It implies that "keeping the way of the LORD" is not merely a theoretical assent but a daily, active commitment expressed through their choices and actions.
* **"as their fathers did keep [it], or not."**: This concluding phrase draws a direct and poignant comparison to the preceding generation, specifically those who entered Canaan under Joshua and were largely faithful to the LORD. It highlights the generational decline and sets up the central question for the Book of Judges: Will this new generation learn from the past and return to God's ways, or will they continue in their apostasy, experiencing the painful consequences?

#### Literary Devices
Judges 2:22 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very nations Israel failed to dispossess, due to their disobedience, become the instruments of God's testing, exposing their further disobedience. This creates a cyclical pattern where the consequence becomes the crucible. The verse also uses **Contrast**, sharply juxtaposing the faithfulness of the "fathers" (the Joshua generation) with the unfaithfulness of the current generation, highlighting the tragic spiritual decline. Furthermore, the concept of God "proving" Israel can be seen as a form of **Divine Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like action (testing) to God to convey His active involvement and pedagogical intent in Israel's history. The verse also serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing**, setting the theological stage for the entire Book of Judges by explaining the divine rationale behind the recurring cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance that characterize the period.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 2:22 reveals a profound aspect of God's character and His interaction with His people: His use of testing as a means of revelation and refinement. This is not a punitive act in the sense of tempting to evil, but a pedagogical one, designed to expose the true condition of the heart and to call for genuine faithfulness. God's desire is for a people who will truly "keep the way of the LORD" not out of compulsion, but out of a deep-seated commitment. The presence of the unconquered nations serves as a constant spiritual challenge, a "thorn in their side" that forces Israel to choose between complete devotion to Yahweh and compromise with the surrounding idolatry. This divine testing is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, demonstrating God's consistent method of proving His people's loyalty and strengthening their faith, ultimately for their good and His glory.

* [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Testing in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 17:3](/psalm/17-3 "Psalm 17:3 - God Tests the Heart")
* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "James 1:2-4 - The Testing of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:22 offers timeless lessons for believers today, reminding us that God's purposes often unfold through challenging circumstances. Just as Israel faced "unconquered nations" in their land, we too encounter persistent temptations, worldly influences, and areas of spiritual compromise that remain in our lives. These are not always removed instantly, and sometimes, God permits them to remain as tests of our faithfulness. Our response to these challenges reveals the true depth of our devotion to Christ and our commitment to "walk in the way of the LORD." This verse calls us to a rigorous self-examination: are we diligently rooting out the idols and ungodly patterns in our lives, or are we allowing them to linger, risking spiritual compromise and the erosion of our faith? Furthermore, it underscores our generational responsibility. The spiritual decline in Judges occurred because the new generation did not know the LORD. We are called not only to personal obedience but also to intentionally disciple and model a vibrant, obedient faith for those who come after us, ensuring that the "way of the LORD" is passed on effectively to future generations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unconquered nations" or persistent areas of compromise might God be allowing in my life to test my faithfulness and reveal the true state of my heart?**
* **How do I typically respond when God allows challenges or difficulties to "prove" my faith? Do I seek to learn and grow, or do I become resentful or fall away?**
* **In what practical ways can I ensure I am actively "walking in the way of the LORD" daily, rather than merely having theoretical knowledge of His commands?**
* **Considering the generational failure in Judges, what is my responsibility in modeling and teaching a vibrant, obedient faith to the next generation, whether in my family, church, or community?**

### FAQ
**Why did God not completely destroy the nations if He commanded it?**

Answer: It is crucial to understand that God's command to utterly dispossess the Canaanite nations was absolute and given long before the events of Judges. Israel's failure to obey this command (Judges 1:21, 27-36; 2:1-3) was an act of disobedience and a breach of their covenant with God. As a direct consequence of this unfaithfulness, the Angel of the LORD declared that He would no longer drive out these nations before them (Judges 2:20-21). Judges 2:22 then clarifies that God, in His sovereignty, repurposed the *consequence* of their disobedience (the remaining nations) into a *means of testing*. So, God did not *choose* to leave them as a test instead of destroying them; rather, because Israel failed to destroy them, God then used their continued presence as a pedagogical tool to reveal Israel's heart and to call them back to faithfulness. It was a judgment that also served a redemptive purpose, revealing the depth of their apostasy and the need for genuine repentance.

**Is God's testing the same as temptation?**

Answer: No, God's testing is fundamentally different from temptation. The Hebrew word _nasah_ (נָסָה) in Judges 2:22 refers to a test or trial designed to prove, refine, or reveal character. God's purpose in testing is always to strengthen faith, expose hidden sin, or demonstrate faithfulness, ultimately leading to spiritual growth and maturity. He allows circumstances that challenge us, revealing what is truly in our hearts (cf. [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Testing in the Wilderness")). In contrast, temptation, particularly as described in the New Testament (Greek _peirasmos_), is an enticement to sin, designed to lead one away from God. The Bible explicitly states that "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone" ([James 1:13](/james/1-13 "James 1:13 - God Does Not Tempt")). Therefore, while both involve a challenging situation, God's testing is for our good and spiritual development, whereas temptation aims to draw us into disobedience and destruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:22, with its emphasis on Israel's failure to "keep the way of the LORD" and the subsequent divine testing, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect Israelite who would fully obey and pass every test. Israel, as a corporate body, continually failed the divine examination, demonstrating their inability to walk perfectly in God's way under the Old Covenant. This persistent failure points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who is the true and faithful Israelite. Unlike ancient Israel, Jesus perfectly "kept the way of the LORD" in every respect, fulfilling all righteousness (cf. [Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")). He faced and triumphed over every temptation and test, most notably in the wilderness (cf. [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")), where He perfectly obeyed God's Word, unlike Israel who often grumbled and disobeyed in their wilderness wanderings. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus established a New Covenant, enabling those who believe in Him to truly "walk in the way of the LORD" by the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the solution to Israel's chronic disobedience and making a way for us to be reconciled to God and live lives of genuine faithfulness, not by our own strength, but by His grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.