Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472
March 30th
The bible reading for today is in Judges chapters 1,2.
The title of this book is indeed fitting. It speaks of “God made leaders” that God would use in the life of Israel as they “did life” on “mission” in the land of promise...”God made leaders”...unique?... perhaps. But certainly not altogether exceptional people...some good examples...some not so good.
We will see God calling them...We will see God engaging them...and we will see God empowering them...the ready and the reluctant...men and women...for selfless, heroic kingdom service...not for their resumes but for the purposes and glory of God.
We will be reading of God’s activity over a 350-year span. Believers will stumble and fall to temptation. Believers, not just the young ones, will stop trusting God for a season.
Then God will discipline and test His children...God will raise up and deploy His judges...God will use them to deliver Israel from the consequences of their breaking covenant with God and to restore spiritual life within the tribes of the new nation...at least for a while.
Some have described this book of the Bible as a tragic sequel to Joshua...from victory to defeat. I can concede that thinking...to a degree.
But I hope you will see with me through our reading...our God at work...our God fulfilling His prophecies...our God further testing and preparing a nation to fulfill His plans...and our God teaching and inspiring even us, on this side of the cross of Christ, to a greater faith than ever before.
To the text...God gave the tribes a work to do. That reminds me of the work that God has assigned the church to do...to be witnesses of Christ...and making disciples from here to the ends of the earth.
Our reading tells us that most of the tribes failed to do the work that they were commanded to do...for fear or compromise or spiritual coldness. What’s our excuse? God forgive me.
The tribes were to proceed to drive out the defeated people of Canaan...completely! That was Their God-given job. The tribe of Judah led the campaign with faith in God and a partnership with the tribe of Simeon. And oh the victories that God gave to them...one after another...including “Adoni Bezek”...King over 70 kings and provinces that would have joined him in defeat. Incredible victories for Judah.
And by the way...what an “evidence” of God at work when Simeon left his work to aid Judah and Judah keeping his promise to help Simeon drive out those defeated Canaanites that were still in his province.
The evidence of “God’s covenant love” toward His people grew exponentially in and through the mountains of victory for Judah and Simeon.
And then something happened. Victory was defeated by fear. They failed to trust God’s message...the message that He gave to them through Joshua.
Judah had driven out the Canaanites of the hill country...But...they couldn't drive out the people of the plains...Why? Chariots? Not the basic reason...NO Faith in God...They failed to trust God’s word to the tribes through Joshua...in Joshua 17.
Bear with my license to read the story how I believe it should have played out...Joshua says: “You are numerous and have great power...“O do we? Who says? God says!...well that settles it...the fight’s on then...” “you will drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and are very strong.”
“Oh, I remember now what our fathers told us of how God took out the whole chariot army of Egypt for them...yes...the fight is on...you have a sword speer and chariots but we have the power of the living God of Israel with us.” “Let us take the fight to them, men! CHARGE!
God had given Judah and all of the tribes of Israel more than enough evidence of His power and His faithfulness to keep His word to their benefit.
Sounds like my life friends. How many times does God have to tell me and show me that He can be trusted in every situation of life for my benefit? Apparently, at least one more time.
In chapter two of our reading, Jesus shows up and says to Israel, “I will never break my covenant with you...even though you fail to obey my voice...I will test you...”
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your faithfulness to me, even when I've failed to obey your voice. I'm also grateful for Your tests that lead me back to You when I stray.
Looking forward to the rest of this story
Have a great day
