A VERY DANGEROUS VACATION JUDGES 2
Judges2: 1 The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised to your fathers. I also said: I will never break my covenant with you. 2 You are not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You are to tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed me. What is this you have done? CSB
Steps in a Dangerous Downward Trend: DISOBEDIENCE (Judges 2:1-2)
Steps in a Dangerous Downward Trend: Disobedience DESERTION (Judges 2:10-12)
Judges 2 10 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works he had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did what was evil in the LORD s sight. They worshiped the Baals 12 and abandoned (deserted) the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They angered the LORD, CSB
Steps in a Dangerous Downward Trend: Disobedience Desertion DISTRESS (Judges 2:14-15)
Judges 2 14 The LORD 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 LORD was against them and brought disaster on them, just as he had promised and sworn to them. So they suffered greatly. CSB
Steps in a Dangerous Downward Trend: Disobedience Desertion Distress DISREGARD (Judges 2:16-17)
Judges 2 16 The LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, 17 but 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 LORD s commands. They did not do as their fathers did. CSB
Steps in a Dangerous Downward Trend: Disobedience Desertion Distress Disregard DEFEAT (Judges 2:18-21)
Judges 2 18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, the LORD was with him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive. The LORD was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them. 19 Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, following other gods to serve them and bow in worship to them. They did not turn from their evil practices or their obstinate ways. 20 The LORD s anger burned against Israel, and he declared, Because this nation has violated my covenant that I made with their fathers and disobeyed me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. CSB
Steps in a Dangerous Downward Trend: 1 Disobedience 2 Desertion 3 Distress 4 Disregard 5 Defeat 6 DECISION (Judges 2:22-23)
Judges 2 22 I did this to test Israel and to see whether or not they would keep the LORD s way by walking in it, as their fathers had. 23 The LORD left these nations and did not drive them out immediately. He did not hand them over to Joshua. CSB
Patrick Henry Being a Christian...is a character (lifestyle) which I prize far above all this world can boast (offer). John Jay Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.
Thomas Jefferson I am a real Christian...that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ. George Washington You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.
Judges 21 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him. CSB
Deuteronomy 7 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
TODAY... Will you vacation FROM God OR WITH God?