Explore the Bible Lesson Preview January 22, 2017 Rebellion s Cycle Background: Judges 1:1-3:6 Lesson: Judges 2:11-19 Motivation: Ever ridden a roller coaster? The ups and downs of a roller coaster are nothing compared to the spiritual ups and downs of Israel s history during the era described by Judges. There s no definitive human author of Judges, but Jewish tradition ascribes it to Samuel. In the period between Moses/Joshua and the monarchy, God raised up a series of leaders described chronologically in Judges. Examination: I. Spiritual Decline (1:1-36) A. Team-Work Who will be first to fight for us against the Canaanites...? (1) What Israel did together in Joshua they now were going to attempt tribe by tribe. Having swept the major coalitions from the field of battle, God s people now had the responsibility of clearing tribal areas tribe by tribe. Unfortunately, this chapter is a record of failure. (Joshua 13:13; 15:63; 16:10) Although individual successes are mentioned, especially when Judah and Simeon team up, the nine tribes mentioned each failed in their goal of completely possessing the land. The incomplete obedience of Joshua becomes the ingrained failure of Judges. 1 / 8
God desires unity and teamwork. Team can be used as an acrostic: Together Everyone Acc omplishes M ore. The great successes of God s people came with individuals and tribes forsaking individual goals in order to accomplish something for the good of the nation. B. Trade-Offs: We often get out of life what we invest into it. The laws of sowing and reaping are well known: 1) We reap what we sow, 2) we reap more than we sow, and 3) we reap later than we sow. (Gal. 6:7-8) Three graphic illustrations are provided. 1. Adoni-Bezek (4-8) The custom of cutting off thumbs and big toes was designed to practically and symbolically render a warrior unfit for battle. What Adoni-Bezek inflected on seventy other kings, was done to him. In this passage Judah s army invaded and torched Jerusalem (8). David would later subdue this fortress from the Jebusites and make it his capitol (2 Sam. 5:6-9). 2. Caleb (9-15) Caleb is another example of sowing and reaping. He sowed obedience and faith and reaped blessing and benefit. In these verses he challenged the men to conquer a city; his daughter, Achsah, would wed the victor. Although this sounds archaic, remember it was the fourteenth century BC and all marriages were arranged. Again, Caleb s generosity was rewarded; the conqueror of the city (and Caleb s future son-in-law) Othniel, became a judge of Israel (3:9). 3. The Spy of Uz (22-26) Someone defined a coincidence as when God performs a miracle and decides to remain anonymous. To all outward appearance, the man in this story appeared to have been at the right place at the right time ; however, the fact that his story is noted and the degree to which he was blessed (26) help us realize that God gave him the opportunity to be used and blessed. C. Tough Times - Each of the tribes mentioned in the rest of the chapter failed to accomplish the mission assigned. Incomplete obedience must be viewed as disobedience. (2:2) (James 4:17; Rom. 14:23) 2 / 8
II. Spiritual Amnesia (2:1-23) A. Disclaimer I also said I will never break My covenant with you... But you have not obeyed Me (1-2) HCSB, p. 392: 2:1 The Angel of the frequently represents God Himself, bringing His word to His people (6:11-24) and protecting them from their enemies (Ex. 14:19). The reference to Gilgal may be to His previous appearance there to Joshua as commander of the s army (Jos 5:13-15). Now after Israel s inadequate attempts to go up (in warfare) against the inhabitants of Canaan, the Angel of the went up against them. B. Distance... another generation rose up who did not know the or the works He had done for Israel. (10) Joshua s death is recorded in 7-9. Symbolically, he represented the generation of miracles. Despite the s commands to set up monuments (Joshua 4:6), a generation has arisen without the firsthand knowledge of God s power. (Ex. 1:8) Here is another powerful reminder of the responsibility of every Christian to pass on his/her faith. (I Peter 3:15; Jude 3; Matt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). III. Abandonment The Israelites did what was evil in the s sight. They worshiped the Baals 12 and abandoned the, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They infuriated the, 13 for they abandoned Him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths. (2:11-13) A. Disobedience The Israelites did what was evil in the s sight. They worshipped the Baals (11) HCSB, p. 393: 2:6-13 This paragraph is a flashback summarizing the beginning of the book of Judges. Baal 3 / 8
was the Canaanite god of storm and rain, while Ashtoreth (also known as Astarte) was his consort, the goddess of love and fertility. Both of these deities were worshiped under a variety of local manifestations and were perceived as the key to agricultural success in the land of Canaan. B. Demeanor They infuriated the (12) Romans 6:23 says For the wages of sin is death Why is sin such a big deal to God? Perhaps one of the main reasons is that we were created to worship and glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). When we sin, we re saying that we have a better plan, thus worshipping ourselves rather than God and denying His glory. In the case of the Israelites, their false gods were visible and overt (as compared to ours which may seem covert-colossians 3:5b). IV. Oppression The s anger burned against Israel, and He handed them over to marauders who raided them. He sold them to the enemies around them, and they could no longer resist their enemies. 15 Whenever the Israelites went out, the was against them and brought disaster on them, just as He had promised and sworn to them. So they suffered greatly. HCSB: p. 393: 2:14-15 The consequence of Israel s covenant unfaithfulness was the covenant curse (Dt. 28:48). Instead of the fighting for Israel and handing their enemies over into their power, the gave them over into the hand of their enemies, and they suffered greatly. V. Mercy The raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, 17 but 4 / 8
they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the s commands. They did not do as their fathers did. 18 Whenever the raised up a judge for the Israelites, the was with him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive. The was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them. Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, going after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn from their evil practices or their obstinate ways. (16-19) A. Deliverers The raised up judges who saved them from the power of their marauders (16) HCSB, p. 394: 2:16-19 Because of their distress, the raised up judges for Israel, and they saved them from the power of their marauders. There is no mention of repentance by the people; the judges were raised up as the result of the s pity on their groaning. In relenting from the punishment he had imposed on His people, the showed Himself to be a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth (Ex. 34:6). The judges typically governed Israel (or part of it) and sought to lead them in the ways of the during their lifetime a ministry that is most evident in the life of the final judge, Samuel. Yet their influence on the people was limited, and after each judge died Israel invariably reverted to their idolatrous ways. This period of Israel s history was a downward spiral, with each generation acting more corruptly than their fathers. The judges slowed rather than stemmed the rising tide of iniquity. B. Distress they did not listen to their judges. (17) 5 / 8
1. Physical distress marauders Much has been made of the genocide inflicted by the Israelites when they conquered the land. In fact, it is usually included among any attack on the Bible and thus, Christianity. What is seldom mentioned is the barbaric cruelty perpetuated by the local tribes used to bring judgment to Israel or of the uncounted suffering by the Jews when conquered by first the Assyrians, then the Babylonians and finally the Romans. Judgment is often harsh. 2. Spiritual distress they prostituted themselves While this certainly includes the fertility rites involving cultic prostitutes involved in idol worship, it also provides a vivid word picture of how God views false worship. We see this enacted in the book of Hosea and often referenced by the prophets. 3. Generational distress they turned from the way of their fathers (17) One of the key responsibilities of parents is to pass along faith to the next generation. This is accomplished by teaching (Deut. 11:19), being examples (Romans 12:1-2) and prayer (Acts 21:5). While this free will thing often thwarts our best intentions, we, as parents and grandparents, must view this transfer as a priority. C. Decline the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers (19) Just as there can be a multiplying effect to personal evangelism, so there can be a multiplying effect to a culture which condones sin. Things get worse and worse as each succeeding generation plunges into more severe depravity. VI. Spiritual Testing (3:1-6) A. Purpose These are the nations the left, in order to test Israel (1) God s perfect will was for Israel to drive these nations out of Canaan (2:2). Because of Israel s disobedience, these very tribes and nations became a curse to them (2:3). HCSB, p. 394: 3:1-4 All the various inhabitants of the land of Canaan were intended to serve as a testing ground for God s people. The list in verse 3 encompasses the whole of the promised land: The southwest ( Philistines ), northwest ( 6 / 8
Sidonians ), northeast ( Hivites ), and southeast ( Canaanites ). The allowed these peoples to remain in the land to enable His people to learn warfare and to see the s faithfulness first hand, as well as to test their commitment to serve Him alone. B. Product The left them to test Israel, to determine if they would keep the s commands he had given their fathers through Moses. But they settled among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. The Israelites took their daughters as wives for themselves, gave their own daughters to their sons, and worshiped their gods. (4-6) The very consequence with which Joshua warned the Israelites is now being seen among them. (Joshua 24:19-20) Application: 1. All of us can accomplish more than any of us. 2. Disobedience brings judgment. 3. Testing will make us either bitter or better. Explore the Bible Leader Pack Item 7 Chart: The Judges Illustrator: p. 22 Ashtoreth 7 / 8
Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g Dates: 1/18 Midlink Preview; 1/22 SPF Birthday Bash; 1/22 Parent Commitment; 1/25-4 /26 Midlink on Wednesday s; 1/27 Midnight Madness; 1/28-29 F & R EXPO; 1/29 FBA day @HFBC; 2/5 MIYCO; 2/10-11 Mingling of Souls; 2/12 SPF Birthday Bash; 2/17-18 HS Retreat/Family Day @ Hunt. 8 / 8