The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2:11-20, 3:5-11 (day four)

Moses led the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt.  In the process, he delivered the Word (Law) of the Lord.  In Deuteronomy 27:9, Moses told the Israelites, “this day you have become a people of the Lord your God.”  With this pronouncement, came responsibilities.  Standing before Mt. Gerazim and Mt. Ebal, Moses warned what would happen if Israel followed other gods.  Now…in one lifetime (Joshua’s)…they failed to heed the warning.  God had told them what would happen and now they found out He meant it.  Everything that God warned would happen…did!

In our Re:Verse this week, in verse 15, it says everywhere they went, God was against them…”as the Lord has spoken.”  What was true in Israel is true today.  If we read the news today, it is as if we are in the time of the judges.  Everywhere we go, it seems God is against us.  We…as a nation…as a world…have followed after other gods.  Look to our own hearts…are we receiving the rewards of obedience or disobedience?  Question:  What is this thing called repentance?

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2:11-20, 3:5-11 (day three)

“The Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.”

Here is the cycle in Judges: spiritual and moral ruination, military occupation, spiritual awakening, military and societal revolution, then peace, followed again by further spiritual and moral ruination, military occupation, spiritual awakening, military and societal revolution, then peace, followed again by spiritual and moral ruination, and so on. The seemingly incessant pattern elicits much tut-tutting in church congregations and Bible study groups. “They never learned,” you might hear it said. “We can be exactly the same way today,” people sometimes remark. Both sentiments are certainly valid. But is there anything in that cycle that invites something besides disparaging comments? Yes. At each spiritual awakening, “God was moved to pity.” This is God. When you turn, he is moved. This is hope. This is life.

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2:11-20, 3:5-11 (day two) Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers. 2:17

During the filming of our last RE:Vlog special this past winter Chris, Bryan, Jeremy, and I spent some time in Colorado. It was a real treat to worship on the mountains and marvel at God’s handiwork. One day we came upon a stranded motorist who had been forced off the road to make way for another oncoming vehicle on a narrow road. She was unable to get back on the road, and was stuck. By the time we came upon her she had tried, unsuccessfully, for some time to get her car out of the rut she had created. No matter how she tried she was only making her situation worse.

The end of the story involves Pastor Bryan saving the day, but I’ll let him tell it. The nation of Israel was in the same situation. Even when they seemed to course correct, they would fall back into the patterns of sin and destruction. Sin is insidious. The familiar grooves will call you back to a routine that will continue to lead to ruin. The judges were temporary fixes. Our need is to get clear of those ruts, and drive away from the pattern of sin. A changed heart from Jesus is the only way forward.

Re:Verse passage – Judges 1:1-2, 8-13, 20 (day seven)

After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” vs 1

For the first time in Israel’s history, there was not a leader. There had always been someone in charge whether it was a patriarch, pharaoh, or God ordained leader (Moses, Joshua), but now, as Israel seeks counsel from the Lord, God chooses a tribe, not a person, to carry out his will. There was no succession plan as there had been for Moses to Joshua, nor was there a judge or prophet to guide the people. God was sending a message for Israel; God is King.

We are created and designed by God to be led. Why does Jesus refer to us as sheep? In this way, we also naturally take on the personality and character traits of the one who is leading us. God created us so that when we humble ourselves to be led by Him, we become more like Him. God didn’t want Israel (us) to be dependent on a personality. God wanted Israel (us) to be dependent on Him. God is King.

Re:Verse passage – Judges 1:1-2, 8-13, 20 (day six)

I don’t imagine any of the tribes were defiant, at least not in the beginning. They didn’t set out to disobey God outright. Likely, it was a gradual decline; subtle diversions, cut corners, postponements (“I’ll get serious about that later.”)  Like petty crime, no one would really notice (or even care), unless they were really looking.

Even the smallest diversions can descend into the deepest chasms, the kind that even when you look back you can’t see where you started from or where you are going.

In their wildest imaginations, they never dreamed they would forget God, and fall in love with gods of their own making, but they did.

…and so do we.

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,…”-C.S. Lewis, The Screw Tape Letters

“Who will rescue me from this body of death?! Thank God! The answer is in Jesus!”- Paul, Romans 7:24-25

 

Re:Verse passage – Judges 1:1-2, 8-13, 20 (day five). “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.”

As we begin our study of Judges, I am reminded of several thoughts and insights from Jerry Bridges. “God wants us to walk in obedience—not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self.”
“It is time for us Christians to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often we say we are “defeated” by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be well if we stopped using the terms “victory” and “defeat” to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms “obedience” and “disobedience.” When I say I am defeated by some sin, I am unconsciously slipping out from under my responsibility. I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient, that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me. We may, in fact, be defeated, but the reason we are defeated is because we have chosen to disobey.”

The book of Judges is about God’s desire for obedience and His rescue and redemption. A good lesson for me to continually consider- my obedience and desire to serve and follow the Lord.

Re:Verse passage – Judges 1:1-2, 8-13, 20 (day four)

Israel made a lot of mistakes when it came to their relationship with God.  They did get one thing right though…before they proceeded after the death of Joshua…they inquired of the Lord.  Knowing God’s direction and moving in His power and provision is critical to being a conqueror.  Israel did not always follow God’s direction (i.e.- “completely drive out the inhabitants so they don’t turn you away from Me”).

What we do with God’s Word when we gain understanding of it is essential to victory.  Obedience must follow His commands.  Seeking God first, before anything else, is key to success…obedience to His direction is key to blessing and victory.  Many times we fail to stop and seek God before we launch off on some task or adventure.  Remember to approach God first in prayer to gain His Perspective and Will…then move forward in obedience to His direction.  Be a conqueror!

Re:Verse passage – Judges 1:1-2, 8-13, 20 (day three)

“Now it came about after the death of Joshua…”

The first line of Judges plunges us into the story of an age in Israel’s history that would last four hundred years or so by some accounts. It’s chaotic, tumultuous, gruesome, offensive, and full of heroes that do horrible things. In other words, it’s a society we can recognize if we’ll drop the pretense of politeness. It wasn’t the society they needed, but it was the society they deserved. There was mercy for the asking. But the cyclical social patterns took their toll. In the course of time, Christ provided a way out of that cycle. Its allure still beckons, though. We would do well to read Judges as if it’s our own diary.

Re:Verse passage – Judges 1:1-2, 8-13, 20 (day two)

Then they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had promised; and he drove out from there the three sons of Anak. vs 20

But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. Numbers 14:24

What do we know about Caleb? His life coincided with some of the Patriarchs of our faith. He was delivered out of Egypt by Moses. He entered the Promised Land with Joshua. He followed Aaron as high priest. Yet Caleb was not listed as a political or spiritual leader. His contribution to Israel was not his skill as an artisan, or priest, or judge. Caleb, however, was faithful and obedient. Regardless of his power and prestige, each time we meet Caleb he is trusting that the Lord would deliver on his promises. Caleb’s life is a testimony to trust. To be sure, this was a LONG game approach to faith and life, but to Caleb it was worth it. We may not be called to be a Moses or Joshua, but we are all called to remain faithful.