Reproof and Response: As we move into Judges 2, we do not move into a new section. Originally there were no chapter and verse divisions in the Bible; these were added in the sixteenth century to facilitate referencing. Most of the time, interpreters divided chapters and verses correctly, but in some cases they did not. Judges 2:1–5 is an instance when they did not. Judges 2 follows closely upon Judges 1, describing God’s response to Israel’s disobedience. It again highlights the most important theme of the book of Judges: Israel’s disobedience and unfaithfulness to the Lord, with the result they were punished by continued harassment and oppression by those they failed to drive out. The Israelites’ response is simply stated: they “wept aloud and, . . . they . . . offered sacrifices to the L…