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Judges & Christ Introduction: The Book of Judges covers about 340 years of Israel’s history, from 1380 to 1040 BC. Another title could be "God Judges Israel." It is a book full of characters that you have probably heard preached on before: Samson, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and others. In this lesson I want to look at some general lessons we can learn from Judges. A) Joshua’s generation continued to fight the people of the land 1. At first they seemed to be victorious but eventually they grew tired of the battles. 2. As that generation passed away the next generation came on and is described as one that "knew not God" Judges 2.10 a. The how is not as important as the fact that the faithfulness of one generation does not ensure the faithfulness of the next generation b. This could be referring to having knowledge of God or not "knowing" in the sense of trusting and obeying God i. To Know God one must first know His word, Hosea 4.6 ii. In order to know the word of God one must be taught the word of God, Deut. 6.6-9 placed the responsibility on the parents. iii. To know God one must trust in His word and obey Him, Romans 10.3 3. The same applies to us today a. The generation that battled over the institutional issue may assume their children know the issues but their children will not if they are not taught. The same goes for Premillennialism, Deity of Christ, miracles, why we have the Lord’s Supper every Sunday, how to establish authority, Homosexual marriages, gambling, social drinking, etc. b. Every congregation is only one generation from being extinct c. We have to be careful of getting tired of fighting the spiritual battles and just quitting, Hebrews 4.1ff B) Entering the land of Canaan the children of Israel compromised 1. Instead of conquering their enemies they allow them to stay. 2. Resulting in their children intermarrying the people of the land and serving their gods, Judges 3.6 C) God punished Israel by using their enemies, Judges 2.1-3 1. Six cycles of apostasy, followed by oppression, and then deliverance 2. People tend to listen to God when things are going badly a. They were forced into the mountains, Judges 1.34 b. In servitude, Judges 3.14 c. In dens, caves, the mountains; their crops and livestock were destroyed by their enemies, Judges 6 d. Israel was greatly impoverished, Judges 6.6 e. Israel with severely distressed, Judges 10.9 D) God raised up "Judges", Judges 2.16 1. Judges were military leaders, their position was not passed on to their children 2. Some are called major judges and some minor, depending on how much is revealed about them. 3. The Judges: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Addon, Samson 4. The overall lesson is that some were ordinary men, poor farmers, some were rich, but it did not matter as long as they listened to God. a. Gideon was from a small tribe and family. God widdled down the size of his army so they would not think the victory was due to their power instead of God’s. b. Samson was a man of great strength but personal weaknesses, yet he conquered the Philistines. E) Everyone did what was right in his own eyes, Judges 21.25 1. When man rejects the word of God he is doomed to become corrupt and immoral, Romans 1. 2. When man rejects the word of God there is no longer a standard of authority, or way of determining right and wrong. 3. The same is true about our society today. a. People do not want to hear the word of God. b. God’s word is ridiculed and maligned because if condemns sin c. Situation ethics is rampant and sin is ok if it is committed out of love or as long as those involved do not have a problem with it. d. In religion votes and popularity is more important than the word of God. e. Some congregations are willing to compromise and seek political solutions instead of doing what the Bible says, 1 Peter 4.11. 4. Once we compromise the word of God on one point we are doomed to be like the people during the days of the Judges. F) Christ in Judges 1. Each judge was a Savior/Ruler. Jesus is both Lord and Christ (Savior), Acts 2.36 2. God forgave Israel when they repented. God forgives us today when we are willing to turn from sin and do His will. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 11.12.06 |