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Today's Bible Reading...
March 22 - Judges 1-2 (First years in the Promised Land - 1400-1100 B.C.)
Because Joshua did not appoint a successor the Hebrew Nation had no one person
to lead them. Joshua was not only a great military leader, he was the spiritual
leader that kept the people focused on God and God's purpose. After Joshua's
death they had no strong central government. They were a confederacy of twelve
independent tribes.
Though they lacked real leadership, there were heroes, 12 men and women who
delivered Israel from oppressors. These people were far from perfect, but they
were submissive to God and God used them.
Once again, we see sin and consequences. After settling in Canaan they lost
their zeal for the Lord. They lacked the commitment and motivation to continue.
When Joshua, the elders and that generation died, the nation experienced a lack
of good leadership.
The main reason for their rapid decline was sin. They refused to be totally
obedient to God. They refused to totally eliminate the enemy from the land. This
led to inter- marriage and idolatry. It was not long before the Israelites found
themselves captured. They would cry out to God and God would deliver them. This
was a continual cycle.
The book of Judges covers over 325 years. It records six periods of oppression
and deliverance. We have the stories of 12 heroes who God uses to deliver the
people.
Chapter 1 - Canaanites still in the land
The Israelites fought the remaining Canaanites. The tribes helped each other.
They destroyed the Canaanites in some sections but simply kept others in
subjection. This would cause them a lot of trouble in the future.
The Israelites thought they could resist the evil. They thought they could
co-exist with Canaan's religion. Little did they know how inviting that religion
would be and the impact it would have on their people. They had no idea how
attractive to the sensual nature the Canaanite religions would be. Male and
female prostitution was not only allowed, but encouraged as a form of worship.
Chapter 2 - An Angel of the Lord appears to the people
2:1-3 This event changes Israel's relationship with God. Because of Israel's
disobedience to God, God will no long help Israel conquer the land, but God will
still make them a nation through which the world will be blessed (Messiah will
come through this nation).
Each generation failed to teach the next generation about God. Soon the people
were worshipping the various gods of the people around them. Still, God raised
up judges who saved them.
What do we learn from these chapters?
1. Joshua did not leave Israel with a sucessor. We need to train people to
replace us.
2. As the Simeonites helped Judah in battle we need to help each other in our
spiritual battles.
3. Don't fight temptation - avoid it. Get rid of it. Stay away from places,
people, things that will pull you into temptation.
4. Don't fail to teach your children what it means to be obedient to God.
God, help me to be obedient to you and help to to train my children in your
ways. Help me to be patient in teaching others the skills they will need to be
good leaders. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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