Bible Study Lesson — Judges 1:1-36
So Begins the New Nation of Israel. Let’s follow the Book of Judges through turmoil and triumph as the people continuously fall away from God and then come back.
Reading these verses in Judges is like reading a military history lesson with each tribe of Israel conquering (or not) the lands which God had promised them.
But, did they really obey God?
Book of Judges – Introduction to the Book of Judges – Making Decisions
Now it came about after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel inquired of the Lord, saying, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”
The Lord said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.”
Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me into the territory allotted me, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you.” So Simeon went with him.
Judah went up, and the Lord gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands, and they defeated ten thousand men at Bezek.
They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek and fought against him, and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.”
So they brought him to Jerusalem and he died there. – Judges 1:1-7 NASB
True Leader
A simple question – what would your answer be if I asked; “Who is the leader & commander in chief of the United States?”
Most likely you’d answer the president, right? Well, this is what happened to Israel after two great leaders died.
It was no contest to determine who would take over leadership after Moses. Joshua was a shoe-in as he worked under Moses almost from the very beginning.
But, I didn’t answer the question. In reality, for Moses and Joshua clearly it was God in charge. Both were magnificent spiritual leaders as well as leaders of a nation.
So, the answer should be that God is commander in chief of America and the leaders should follow Him.
Israel Didn’t! Enter, The Book of Judges
It’s shown in Judges that there were no clear spiritual leaders after Joshua. This caused confusion, and disobedience of the people.
Moses and Joshua both focused their attention on God and led the people according to His will.
The people of Israel had to learn the hard way that a good leader who didn’t follow God just didn’t work out.
They were to suffer learning this lesson.
God is My Co-Pilot?
You’ve seen these bumper stickers on autos all across the USA.
A noble saying – but is it accurate?
I would rather phrase it “God is my Pilot” as He is not just along for the ride. He should be in control!
The Mentor
I’m sure you’ve had people (just as I have) in your life who guided you along your way for career, parenting, financial advisement, etc.
There are very smart people in each of the areas above.
You’ll find hundreds of books by “experts” on just about any subject under the sun, but many of these people do little to guide us spiritually.
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”1617952958″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/31joJk94U8L.SL160.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”93″]If we will only turn the leadership role over to God instead of relying only on positional leaders, we’ll find that things work out for us in ways we never imagined.
Israel quickly fell away from the true leader of their nation. Let’s try not to forget who’s really in charge of our lives. Fair enough?
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to discover how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 here..