The Book of Judges

The book of Judges is about 12 men and women who delivered Israel from its oppressors. They were not perfect, in fact, they include an assassin, a sexually promiscuous man and a person who broke all the laws of hospitality. But they were submissive to God and God used them. Judges is also a book about sin and its consequences. It is a book about compromising beliefs and convictions and disobeying God. Israel suffers a downward spiral as it refuses to learn from history and living only for the moment. But you will be in awe as God's mercy delivers his people over and over again.

Judges Chapter 1

After Joshua died, the Israelites asked God which tribe should attack the Canaanites first. God answered that Judah should be the leader. Judah asked the men of Simeon to help them and God gave them victory and then they captured Jerusalem, killing all its people and setting the city on fire.

Then Calebs said he would give his daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who captured Kiriah-sepher. Othneil conquered it and was given Acsah as his wife. And she asked her father for an additional field so that they had a spring on the land. So Caleb gave her what she asked for. Verses 19-36 show the attempts of the Israelites to conquer parts of the promised land and failing to wipe out the Canaanites.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The Canaanites had chariots pulled by horses and more sophisticated weapons than the Israelites. The Israelites felt helpless against the powerful chariots and learned to fight in the hills or forests where the chariots couldn’t venture.

Tribe after tribe failed to drive the Canaanites from their land. Why didn’t the Israelites follow through and obey the Lord’s commands? Perhaps, 1. they were tired from years of fighting and lacked discipline to reach their goal, or 2. they were afraid the enemy was too strong, or 3. since Joshua’s death, authority had been decentralized to tribe leaders and they were not unified, or 4. spiritual decay infected them from within. They thought they could handle temptation and do business with the Canaanites. Big mistake.

How does this short chapter relate to us today? We too can fail to drive sin from our lives. Often we know what we should do, but just don’t do it. Our relationship with God can deteriorate if we grow weary and want a break. But God loves us and he has a purpose for us. Victory comes from living according to his purpose. Doesn’t this just make the most sense? Keep that light shining!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: Her parents have been called to conference with doctors because her lungs continue to be a serious problem. Pray for her, please and her parents too.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.