Day 89 – Judges 1-2

Talking Points

• As the Israelites moved into and took possession of the land God had given them, they did not drive out the inhabitants as He had commanded them. Instead, they allowed them to remain living in their midst.
• Also, they did not tear down the altars made to false gods, instead choosing to worship them. The Bible says they “forsook” the LORD, worshiping the Baals and Ashtaroth.
• God had made it clear that He required full obedience. He told them He would bless it greatly. Once again, the Israelites respond with partial obedience. This is really disobedience and is judged by God.
• God raised up judges to instruct and lead His people. God shows pity on the sons of Israel, restoring them as often as they return to Him. His mercy truly is unimaginable!
• In the account, we find a sobering statement. In very short order, there arose a generation that “did not know the LORD, nor yet the work He had done for Israel” (2:10). Can you imagine these people, in the span of just one generation, neglected to tell their children of the God they served? Be sure — today, nothing is as important as our kids being raised to know and love our Savior! Be just as sure — the primary place for this to be passed on is in the homes of God’s people. Missing a generation is disastrous.

Thoughts

Sometimes, as we read through the Old Testament, we come across language with strong “Old Testament” imagery — terms that paint pictures of a legalistic system and a judgmental God bearing down on His creation in holy wrath. One such repeated term is that of Israel “playing the harlot.” It carries with it a picture of broken vows, violated trusts, and misplaced affections. It represents betrayal at the most heartbreaking level. We understand: God is faithful — oh so faithful, and Israel is not. We even feel the pain of it. We know the regret. But, what does that mean to us?

That Old Testament image is actually a picture consistent throughout all of Scripture. It simply means to love God and to profess faithfulness to Him, yet to compromise with the world. We may use different words, but we do the same. Truth is, we may live in an age when “playing the harlot” is at its pinnacle among God’s people. Maybe no previous generation loves to claim the things of Christ and yet has so missed the truth of what it is to “live as Christ.” We say we love Jesus, but we are so easy to compromise.

The New Testament call is for a redeemed people to be holy, different, uncompromising. The blessing of Christ is forgiveness offered when we haven’t been. Both of those truths should make the desire of our hearts to be: Lord, help us to be faithful to the One who always is!