# Day 76

# Israel Forgets God

Judges 1:1–3:7

Later, everyone in Israel who knew Joshua died. The older people worshiped God, but the younger ones forgot Him.

God told Israel to drive out the people living in Canaan. But Israel hadn’t done this. The Canaanaites didn’t worship the Lord. They worshiped idols and false gods. God hates this.

Sadly, Israel forgot the God of their ancestors. They began to follow the gods of the people around them. They stopped worshiping at the tabernacle. Instead they worshiped a god named Baal.

God was very angry about this. He let Israel suffer for it. He left them so they were helpless. Israel’s enemies attacked them and robbed them. Their grain, grapes, olive oil, and animals were gone.

At times, during their sufferings, Israel would remember God and cry out. God would find someone in Israel to be their judge. These judges were wise and strong and would save Israel. The people would be happy again and serve God. But then they would forget what God had done and return to idols. This happened many times.

Questions: What happened when Israel worshiped the false god, Baal? Who were the judges?