JUDGES 1:16-34 CONSEQUENCES OF COMPROMISE Less than whole-hearted commitment leads to decline. A declining spiritual life leads to the compromising of truth and lack of faith. The decay that follows compromise leads to apostasy and defeat. Oppression from the enemies of God follows defeat. But repentance and forsaking of sin brings deliverance. An important lesson to learn from Judges is that the attraction of ungodly people and unholy practices that tempt us, when yielded to, will bring us down. How thankful we are there is "A way back to God from the dark paths of sin. And there's a door that is open that all may go in."
Fortunately for us, God was willing to chronicle the failures of Israel "for our sakes" so that we will be reminded that He expects us to act on His will, trusting Him to know what is best both now and in the future. After Joshua died Israel lost its grip on the promises of God and their faith in Him in the small things as well as the big battles. Even though they had moved confidently into the promised land under Joshua's leadership, after he was gone lack of discipline, weariness, fear and self-interest got them side-tracked from obedience to God.
God intends for us to keep and obey His commands and trust Him to guide us because He knows what is ahead of us. When we focus our minds and hearts on Him and His sovereign purposes, we are safe. But if we allow some charismatic leader with human wisdom to claim our attention and allegiance, we are putting ourselves in the place of danger. Our greatest threats are not war but moral decay, materialism, false religion and the attitude that "anything is alright as long as I get what I want." It is possible to make a strong start and soon fail because we "trust in man, and make flesh" our arm,
The book divides into three parts... THE PREVIEW OF THE JUDGES: (1:1- 3:6) The cycle of sin. THE PERIOD OF THE JUDGES: (3:7- 16:31) The downward spiral. THE PICTURE OF THE JUDGES: (17:1- 21:25) Spiritual anarchy.
The cycle of sin can quickly take hold of our interests and before long we don't realize what it is doing to God's people, let alone the people of the world all around us. A sophisticated college student was speaking to a missionary and asked, "What do you do when you can't take the superstition and violence and immorality any longer?"
Came the reply, "Simply get on a plane and go back to the mission field." Around us today is organized crime, youthful crime and homo-sexuality. Biblical morality is ridiculed; one rock star says, "I believe in nothing." Three young men from eastern Canada came west to where their rock star hero lived, and committed suicide just like he did. Today, it seems like there is a tidal wave rather than a flood of moral, spiritual and ethical anarchy. We are a society without standards. (Judges 21:25)
TURNING AWAY It seemed like everything was going so well Victories were gained as the enemies fell Before God's people who by God's mighty power Learned first-hand that our God is a strong tower - But then they turned away from God.
It didn't seem like much right at the beginning The challenge of conquest kept them from willfully sinning Their objectives were clear, and their hands were full It didn't happen at first, but later they felt the pull - And gradually turned away from God.
In God they were conquerors, and so are we Our faith and hope are in God where He wants it to be But facts do not lie, when we are attracted to men Sin takes advantage of us and soon we are like them - And already we have turned away from God.
When we think we are safe and have full control; The world and its systems take aim at our soul The danger of temptation yielded to has a fatal attraction So instead of loyalty and steadfastness we take the first action - Of turning away from God.
It happened to them and it can happen to us We turn to what is wrong instead of "In God We Trust" To guard ourselves from sin's bad consequences We need divine power are guidance to avoid the sentences Of being away from God.
"Father, I know there is the present, and on-going, danger of turning away from Thee because of people and things around that attract. "I need Thee every hour, most Gracious Lord." Please enable Thy servant to stay in the paths or righteousness and away from anything that I know is wrong. Give me needed grace, wisdom and courage to be steadfast to Thee. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."