Judges 1-6

• Were they supposed to drive the Canaanites out completely? (1:27-34) Was there a direction from God to drive them out completely and it did not happen?
  

• It is revealed in 2:2 that Israel has disobeyed God's command. Israel has chosen not to follow God, and hence God departs from them in v3.
• Often, we only do so much when it comes to following God. We often sit back and relax when we feel we have done enough. We never thought of thinking whether God thinks that is enough done from us. Israel would have thought we now have control over the land, who cares if the Canaanites are slaves or whether they get driven out. They never thought back to see whether that is what God intended.
  
• Israel served Baals (?) (v11) and abandoned the LORD (v12). They have chosen to serve gods and abandon the LORD God. Reminds me of Romans 1:21-23
  
• One god (Baals) was not enough, they had to bring on Ashtaroth! (v13)
• The Almighty God just gave them over to plunderers. It is not because he was not capable of protecting Israel, he had the capability but just handed them over. (v14)
• God gives them a chance by raising up judges (v16), but they do not repent (v17) and still continue to sin.
• God loves for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them (v18b)

• Asheroth vs Ashtaroth (2:13 vs 3:7 - typo or two separate Gods)
• God was loving (v9, and v15, 4:3, 6:7-10), whenever they came back to Him, He would save.
  
• Gideon sees angel of God, thought he was going to die (6:22, Exodus 33:20), but God decides that he lives on.