Judges Series #1 Life Cycles
“Cycle Introduced”
Introduction
We encounter cycles all through our life. Even our calendar forms a cycle of days, months, years, decades and centuries. Seasons follow a cycle. Wind operates on a repeating cycle.
Crops, weather, rain, the earth and moon cycles, humanity. The cycle of life runs its course from one generation to the next. The dictionary defines a cycle as a sequence of event that is repeated again and again, especially a causal sequence. All of our lives consist of cycles from medical to spiritual. Judges identifies a spiritual cycle; a cycle related to our relationship with God. In case of Judges, the cycle traces Israel’s relationship with God through a series of events having a causal relationship. That is, one event leads to another, which leads to another. I am most interested in the spiritual cycles we all experience. At times, we feel close to God and spiritual motivated. At other times, we plunge into what has been called “the dark night of the soul” where we feel spiritually drained and empty and life isn’t fun anymore.
One moment we boldly resist temptation and move forward with freedom and enthusiasm.
The next moment, we repeat lifelong struggles with sin and fall backward in discouragement and a sense to bondage to our passions. Scripture and history demonstrates that we are not alone.
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. James 3:2
We ALL stumble in MANY ways.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:10
How is it that we are surprised when others or we sin? All people sin and fall short of God’s standard and expectation.
The Gospels record an enlightening example from a prominent follower of Jesus.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:13-19
Just a short time later, the holder of the keys of the kingdom of heaven speaks again.
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." Matthew 16:21-23
The writer, who is basically unknown but thought to be Samuel, first orients the reader to the time frame and then identified the particular cycle that Israel followed over and over. He then illustrated the cycle with seven examples in Israel’s history and finishes with a story of the devastation that arises when no one takes charge and every person does what is right in their own eyes. In chapter one, the tribe of Judah “inquired of the Lord” what they should do.
In the last chapter “everyone did what was right in their OWN eyes”. As much as I hate running this continuing cycle between sin and “sainthood”, it is a fact of life. Life plays out in cycles.
Over the next several months, we will explore Israel’s experience with this particular life cycle over a period of several decades. Judges illustrates the course and consequences of rebellion against God and doing our own thing so that we might take heed and continually embrace God’s ways. Judges illumines the path to deliverance that we might repent and cry out to God for deliverance. Judges indicates how God uses ordinary, even reluctant and unlikely people to facilitate extraordinary deliverance in response to our cries for help.
Basic Overview in Outline form
I. Life Cycle Identified 1:1--3:6
II. Life Cycle Illustrated (Seven examples) 3:7-16:31
III. Sin Illustrated 17:1-21:25
Historical Background
We recently finished a study in the book of Joshua where we followed Israel into the land God promised the first Jew; Abraham.
We observed their victories and failures under the leadership of Joshua.
All twelve tribes of Israel combined their fighting men to purge the land of the inhabitants who God marked for judgment because of their extreme depravity.
Three major campaigns succeeded in breaking the major strongholds occupying the land.
After those campaigns, Joshua allotted portions of the land to eleven tribes and designated special cities throughout the land to the Levites.
Israel served as God’s instrument of judgment and was commissioned to completely destroy the remaining inhabitants lest their pollution defile His chosen people. Whereas Joshua illustrates the glory of victory over the enemy, Judges illustrates the gloom of incomplete obedience that amounts to disobedience. The time of the Judges includes a new generation of children who were unfamiliar with war. It begins without a central leader. The tribal leaders formed the government. The title comes from the word used for a governor, judge or deliverer.
The book focuses on a select group of judges scattered throughout every area of the land.
I. Life Cycle Identified
A. Incomplete obedience brings divine discipline 1:1-2:5
1. Judah’s Victories 1:1-20
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."
They started out great by seeking God’s direction. God promised His presence and victory. “I have given Judah the land.” The key phrase is “the Lord was with them.”
Conquered territories mentioned
• Bezek (location uncertain)
• Jerusalem
• Negev Canaanites
• Hebron
• Debir
• Zephath (location uncertain)
• Gaza
• Ashkelon
• Ekron
• They could not drive out valley people because of chariots. Vs 18
• Hebron to Caleb who drove three Anak sons out.
2. The other tribe’s failures 1:21-2:5
a. Benjamin failed to drive out the Jebusites 1:21
b. House of Joseph took Bethel but spared some 1:22-26
c. Manasseh failed to completely drive out Canaanites 1:27-28
d. Ephraim failed to completely drive out Gezer Canaanites 1:29
e. Zebulun failed to completely drive out the Canaanites 1:30
f. Asher failed to completely drive out the enemies 1:31-32
g. Naphtali failed to completely drive out :33
h. Dan failed to completely drive out their enemies 1:33-36
Now the angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, "I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, 'I will never break My covenant with you, and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.' But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done? Therefore I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.' " When the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept. So they named that place Bochim(weepers); and there they sacrificed to the LORD. 2:1-5
If you would have obeyed, I would have kept my promise of blessing. But since you have not obeyed I will keep my promise of discipline. I will not drive out the rest of the inhabitants. The inhabitants will become thorns and their gods will become snares. The people wept and honored God but did not really change.
B. A flashback to Joshua’s death 2:6-10
The writer set up a contrast between Joshua’s generation and the current generation.
When Joshua had dismissed the people, the sons of Israel went each to his inheritance to possess the land. The people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the LORD which He had done for Israel. Then Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of one hundred and ten. And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.
This is a new generation without a personal experience with God. It only takes one generation to lapse into paganism. We point our children in the right direction but they must experience a personal encounter with God. Many of the children of great godly leaders failed to follow in their parents footsteps.
C. Life cycle identified 2:11-22
Next, the writer introduced a cycle that repeats seven times throughout the rest of the book.
1. SIN 2:11-13
Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
2. SLAVERY 2:14-15
The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. Wherever they went, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken and as the LORD had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed.
3. SUPPLICATION
the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning
4. SALVATION 2:16-17
Then the LORD raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them. 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.
5. SERVICE 2:18
When the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.
6. RECYCLE 2:19-23
But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, "Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers and has not listened to My voice, I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it as their fathers did, or not." So the LORD allowed those nations to remain, not driving them out quickly; and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
D. Catalogue of enemies left to conquer 3:1-6
Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly). These nations are: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses. The sons of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and they took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
God allows trials in our life to test our faith. The only real test of genuine trust is struggle. The only accurate test of sincere devotion to God is another viable option. That is the reason God placed on forbidden tree in the garden. That is the reason God left pagans in the land was to test the fidelity of the Israelites.
CYCLE EXPANDED
SIN (Defection)
Expectations
God perfectly laid out a personal and national standard of behavior and relationship He expected His chosen people to live by.
“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? Deuteronomy 10:12-13
The Ten Commandments delt with their relationship to God and each other.
God demanded absolute fidelity and exclusivity and priority.
“The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD drives you. There you will serve gods, the work of man’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:27-29
The reality was completely different. The broke the commandments. They served other gods beside the true God. They made manmade images to represent he gods they venerated. They treated God like an add-on to their regular life. It is amazing how easily the Israelites moved away from exclusive worship. This was true all through Israel’s history. They so easily picked up the pagan practice of the godless nations they failed to purge. All of those cultures were dark and sensual and so were the gods they worshipped. God was not the focus of their life.
They only related to Him when they encountered difficulty beyond their ability. Men did what was right in their own eyes rather than God’s explicit commands. The cultural fell into idolatry, leading to immorality leading to anarchy. It all began with a dilution and defection.
How about New Testament times?
Expectations
One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that Jesus had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
Therefore since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
Reality
They were lukewarm, they compromised truth, they treated God like an add-on, they served money, they wasted time rather than redeemed it, they did their own thing, the allowed themselves to be led astray from the purity and simplicity of devotion to Christ, they struggled with continual conflict, they pursued pleasure, possessions and prominence rather than Christ, they loved the world, they served idols.
God views greed (the desire for things) as idolatry. The church today is not better than the people of Israel. We don’t literally bow down to pieces of art but we certainly give of our time and treasure to many things that have no eternal value. Isaiah addressed the same problem later in Israel’s history.
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David. Isaiah 55:1-3
If we claim that Jesus is our Lord and Master and boss, how is it that we fail to check with what He wants? If we responded to an earthly boss as poorly as we do our heavenly one, we would not last. Jesus has become an add-on for our comfort and peace of mind but for the most part He does not rule over the whole of our life. That was Israel’s problem and there were consequences.
SLAVERY (DISCIPLINE)
In order to grab their attention, God allowed an outside influence to rob their freedoms. He allowed them to experience what it felt like to live under Satan’s ruthless rule. This element of the cycle holds as true today as it was then. God allows us to become trapped by the very things that we pursue. He may allow Satan to set up a debilitating fortress in our life.
An elder must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Tim 3:7
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:25-26
Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:20
We live in a culture of addictions and obsessions because people turn to those things rather than God to feel alive. Such a pursuit will only result in bondage whether it be food, sex, entertainment, video games, extreme sports, drugs, activities, money, fame, looks, success…
SUPPLICATION (DESPAIR)
God allows such bondage to bring us to our senses that life can only be realized in right relationship with God. God inspired Solomon to write the book of Ecclesiastes to point out the futility of life without a personal relationship with God and a desire to willingly live for His pleasure over ours. God wants us to cry out to Him for deliverance. God wants us to stop looking to everything else and to come to Him. Jesus warned the churches addressed in Revelation to “REPENT”. He stands at the door knocking to come in and restore fellowship and freedom.
SALVATION (DELIVERANCE)
Paul made it clear that Jesus came that we might be free.
You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
SERVICE (DEVOTION)
Only when we are truly free can we effectively serve. This cycle repeats itself hundreds of time throughout of life just as it has all through history. We will see it play out seven times in this book alone.
The key is to keep accountable. They fell into trouble when they did what was right in their own eyes. They lapsed into defeat when they failed to consult the Lord about their life.
Encourage one another lest we become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin in our life.
Everyone lies somewhere in this cycle. The central turning point in the cycle is crying out to God. Nothing moves beyond that point. How about you?
