Judges 2:6-13
The Lord had brought Israel out of the land of Egypt and into the land of Canaan. The Israelites had driven out some of the inhabitants that had a lived in Canaan. The land had been divided between the tribes of Israel and each of them had been commanded by Joshua to drive out the remainder of the inhabitants that still remained. However the Israelites did not do this. This led to idolatry instead of worshiping God the worshiped the idols of the people who lived around them.
Even though the Israelites disobeyed God when they cried out to him in their distress he heard them and he raised up judges. Judges 2:18 The first duty of the judge was to save the people and then to make sure they stay in the way of righteousness. How similar we are to the Israelites. We commit sin purposefully yet God still hears our cry. He sent us His own son as a judge. Luke 5:32 Jesus Christ came to save us then to lead us in the path of righteousness.