Introduction: Joshua, Judges and Ruth all historically occur in the same general time period for the nation of Israel. Next week we will look at Ruth. Last week we considered Joshua and today we make our way through the book of Judges.
Judges as a whole stands in contrast to the book of Joshua. Joshua is a book that is vibrant and exciting. Judges is burdensome and a drudgery. In Joshua we experience the thrill of victory. In Judges there is the agony of defeat. In Joshua the people cry out, “We will serve the Lord.” In Judges the people are characterized with the infamous Biblical phrase, “Each man did what was right in his own eyes.”
Whereas Joshua was difficult to read and process because it is difficult to deal with the military conquest of the Canaanites and to see God as a Divine Warrior; it is equally difficult to read and process Judges because it is difficult to deal with the realistic absurdity of the obvious sin of the Israelites. We will be returning to this obvious absurdity in a few moments.
The book itself lays out a process of the life of the Israelites during a time when they weren’t ruled by any one particular group or person. They were in effect: leaderless. On the human plane that is. Their direct leader was to be God Almighty. The King and Ruler. He who has kept His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God of their forefathers. Remember this is the generation that came from the wilderness the unbelieving generation before them is dead and gone. These individuals have seen the Lord work to sustain them. He has provided for them and the major military campaigns have been won by His strong hand. The technical term for being led by God directly is theocracy. And yet these people seems to quickly disregard His rule and fall deeply into sin and rebellion. The major portion of the text shows us a vicious cycle where the judges come in order to deliver God’s people. There are 12 or 13 judges depending on how a person counts. Each Judge delivers Israel from “bondage” or an oppressive rule but I am getting ahead of the text itself.
The thing to note about Judges as we proceed is that this cycle isn’t a cycle on a level plain. It isn’t a straight plain cycle that simply repeats itself. But rather it is a downward spiral. Each successive cycle gets worse than the one before. The “best” judge is the first one. His name is Othniel. The “worst” judge is the last. His name is Samson.
ESSENTIAL IMPACT:God, the Creator/King, is faithful
...but do not trivialize that fact.
Main 1: Trusting God is its own reward.
In Chapter 1 and 2 The people have a small amount of success but there is far more failure that is evident. We can’t say that it crept in. It is apparent from the text that the Israelite were almost at once willfully rebellious.
The success is for Judah. That tribe inquired of the Lord and obeyed and they had success. The other tribes failed in their attempts to drive out the Canaanites. Well actually lets look a bit more closely at what the text records. 1.21,27,29,30,31,33 They did not drive out the Canaanites. It wasn’t as if they lost military campaigns. They didn’t even try. Look. They didn’t even try. And so we read the opening of chapter 2 with this funny taste in our mouths. READ 2.1-5 and 11. Failure and Idolatry.
Main 2: God does not forsake His people
Chapters 3-16 record for us the deliverance of the judges and gives details about the cycles of failure and deliverance.
Read 3.5-11: This is the cycle of the Judge Othniel. He is the best Judge the book has to offer. The cycle goes as follows:
Sin Rebellion
Servitude Retribution
Supplication Repentance
Salvation Restoration
Serenity Rest
Main 3: God doesn’t hide our depravity
Chapters 17-21 Are catalogs of how deeply flawed we as humans are. In 17-18 there are examples of religious apostasy. The setting up of worship outside of the ordination of God’s declared word. There are two examples. The first is personal apostasy through the idolatry of Micah and a Levite. Chapter 18 has the same kind of thing recorded but the scale is much larger an entire tribe is shown to be idolatrous.
In chapters 19-21 the reading isn’t for the faint of heart. There is an utter breakdown in the social and moral fiber. Once again there is personal and tribal failure to an unmistakable degree.
APPLICATION:
1. Be on guard against a callousness toward sin. When we read this book it is soooo obvious what the issues and problems are. Why couldn’t they see it? Why didn’t they do anything about it? Why didn’t someone, anyone speak up and say, “Wait, this is wrong.” Before we rush to judgment…step back and ask yourself, “How would the book read about me?” Are you sensitive enough to the sin in your own life that is leading to idolatry? That is in open rebellion towards God. Ok if you survive that without any conviction of sin and you are asking, “Why hasn’t someone said anything before?” I would argue that He has. Just as He had already declared to the Israelites He has declared to us His exact expectations. We are the ones who have neglected His word and Him. The blame needs to be placed squarely upon our shoulder.
2. Observe and heed the cycle: Are you saved? Do you know Jesus Christ as your savior? Are you following Him? It isn’t about a denomination it is about the relationship you have with God.
Sin
Servitude
Supplication
Salvation
Serenity
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
November 1st, 2009..."One Year:Numbers - Generations"
Introduction:
In our study through the Bible in a year we come to the book of Numbers. A book that appears at the outset to be a little bit incoherent. It doesn’t seem to have a unifying theme like Leviticus or Galatians. It doesn’t seem to have a central figure(s) like Genesis or Joshua. But we should not lose heart. There is hope if we remember the larger picture.
The Bible, as a whole, is about God and His Kingdom. The creation, establishment and continuance of His Kingdom is there from start to finish. As King of this Kingdom He alone is worthy of glory. We took the past two weeks to consider the book of Leviticus that is fully established in the complete “otherness” of God…His holiness. The book of Levitcus occurs in the history of the nation of Israel in a period of time a little over a month. The book of Numbers occurs in the history of the nation of Israel in a period of time a little over 40 years.
Number can be divided into three main sections. Chapters 1-10 marks the Old Generation. Chapter 10-25 marks the transition of Generation. and Chapter 26-36 marks the New Generation. In each of these portions we see how painstakingly God prepares His people to actually be His people. It’s a book that isn’t just “theory” about being God’s people but it is the nuts and bolts, so to speak.
A word about the two censuses recorded. I know very few people who enjoy reading the list of names and numbers recorded in the book of Numbers. Most people I know find them tedious at best and absolutely boring at the worst. Imagine, God’s Word boring? I hope that in the next few minutes we spend together we will begin to get a deeper appreciation for the God who deemed these lists important enough to inspire them into existence.
Main #1: God sets things in order.
The first ten chapter of Numbers show us part of the effort that God makes to set things in there proper place so that our relationship with Him would be healthy and right and good. He has Moses number the men who are able to fight in war. Remember that soon they will be entering the Promised Land and the people that live there are not just going to hand over the keys. It makes perfect sense to record a military census at this point.
God organizes the camp around the tent of meeting. Every tribe and person has their place in relationship to meeting with God Himself. Even those who are without their own land, the Levitical Priests are rightly related to Him in time and space. There is even a chapter or two dedicated to those who are unclean because of sin and how they are to relate to God and to the rest of the nation/camp. God goes to great lengths to tell His people how they must relate to Him.
In Numbers there is a link between Eden and the Promised Land. God places Adam in the garden and now He has promised and prepared a land for His people. The Promise/Covenant begins to gain substance. And we see a strong connection to God in the blessing that Aaron is to pronounce upon the people in Numbers 6.24-26. Then in Number 6.27 the name of God is to rest upon His people. There is an all together “new” relationship that is being forged here in the Kingdom of God. Recall the Commandment not to take the Lord’s name in vain.
Then it is time to move. Numbers 10.35-36 Moses words echo throughout history in this fine example of obedience of the Israelites. They would be wanderers but to my knowledge and reading of Numbers I haven’t come across a passage where when God moved or rested they disobeyed. It might be there. I may have overlooked it but it appears to me that they were faithful in this command.
Main #2: Learn the lesson of causing trouble. [Israel’s faithlessness]
As they head out to begin the conquest of the Holy Land. Everything is set in order. When the Lord’s presence moves they move. When He is still they are still. And so the cloud of His presence moves and they head out. Only, to fall flat on their faces. Almost immediately they begin to complain and murmur about their everyday lives. Food and Water and Leadership complaints come forth from them before they even get to the corner. Illustration: Road trip with the family…I forgot my [fill in the blank]
God in His grace and mercy provided, God’s faithfulness, for them at every turn and at the brink of the Holy Land they send in 12 spies to check things out. A little recon is in order. The spies check it out and come back and give report. The vote is ten to two against going into the Land. The same people who watched God provide for them everyday. Water from rocks thought that they couldn’t trust God to overcome the people of the Land. [1 Corinthians 10.1ff…1 Corinthians 11 = Communion] All except Caleb and Joshua. These two said, “With God nothing is impossible.” The people rebel and go with the larger report and God is not pleased. HE determines that not a single person from that generation of unbelief will be allowed into the Promised Land and so the nation of Israel wanders in the desert for 40 years. Not really learning their lesson…there is no second chance for these people. They had their chance and they wasted it in unbelief. Joshua and Caleb they were the only ones left alive after 40 years and they took the next generation into the Promised Land.
Main #3: Accept God’s new beginnings.
When they Old generation was dead the next generation needed a recommissioning of sorts (a reorganization is better). They were renumbered. The census was again taken. For the same reason the first one was taken. The regulations of life and offerings were reiterated to this new generation. And they were told exactly what they needed to do to take the land and how to live in it. You see God hadn’t changed. In the thousand of years since God hasn’t changed. He revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to the people of Israel. He reveals Himself to us in the person of Christ and that doesn’t negate all that He shows of Himself in the Hebrew Scripture for Christ did not come to abolish the Law but rather to fulfill it.
The bronze serpent connection to Christ from Numbers 21.9 to John 3.14-15. As a historical type of “salvation” when the serpent was lifted up and the men and women of Israel looked to it they were saved from their poisonous snake bite. When men and women look to the cross in faith they are saved because Jesus completed the work of salvation upon the cross. By His death and resurrection we can have out sin forgiven.
APPLICATION:
1. Two sets: generation [1-14 & 26-36]; numberings [1 & 26]; travels [10-14 & 21-27]; instructions [5-9 & 28-36] illustrating both the kindness and severity of God.
2. We follow God in trust and dependence.
3. Looking unto Jesus: for salvation = John 12.32 ff.
4. Looking unto Jesus: for our walk = Hebrews 12.1-2
In our study through the Bible in a year we come to the book of Numbers. A book that appears at the outset to be a little bit incoherent. It doesn’t seem to have a unifying theme like Leviticus or Galatians. It doesn’t seem to have a central figure(s) like Genesis or Joshua. But we should not lose heart. There is hope if we remember the larger picture.
The Bible, as a whole, is about God and His Kingdom. The creation, establishment and continuance of His Kingdom is there from start to finish. As King of this Kingdom He alone is worthy of glory. We took the past two weeks to consider the book of Leviticus that is fully established in the complete “otherness” of God…His holiness. The book of Levitcus occurs in the history of the nation of Israel in a period of time a little over a month. The book of Numbers occurs in the history of the nation of Israel in a period of time a little over 40 years.
Number can be divided into three main sections. Chapters 1-10 marks the Old Generation. Chapter 10-25 marks the transition of Generation. and Chapter 26-36 marks the New Generation. In each of these portions we see how painstakingly God prepares His people to actually be His people. It’s a book that isn’t just “theory” about being God’s people but it is the nuts and bolts, so to speak.
A word about the two censuses recorded. I know very few people who enjoy reading the list of names and numbers recorded in the book of Numbers. Most people I know find them tedious at best and absolutely boring at the worst. Imagine, God’s Word boring? I hope that in the next few minutes we spend together we will begin to get a deeper appreciation for the God who deemed these lists important enough to inspire them into existence.
Main #1: God sets things in order.
The first ten chapter of Numbers show us part of the effort that God makes to set things in there proper place so that our relationship with Him would be healthy and right and good. He has Moses number the men who are able to fight in war. Remember that soon they will be entering the Promised Land and the people that live there are not just going to hand over the keys. It makes perfect sense to record a military census at this point.
God organizes the camp around the tent of meeting. Every tribe and person has their place in relationship to meeting with God Himself. Even those who are without their own land, the Levitical Priests are rightly related to Him in time and space. There is even a chapter or two dedicated to those who are unclean because of sin and how they are to relate to God and to the rest of the nation/camp. God goes to great lengths to tell His people how they must relate to Him.
In Numbers there is a link between Eden and the Promised Land. God places Adam in the garden and now He has promised and prepared a land for His people. The Promise/Covenant begins to gain substance. And we see a strong connection to God in the blessing that Aaron is to pronounce upon the people in Numbers 6.24-26. Then in Number 6.27 the name of God is to rest upon His people. There is an all together “new” relationship that is being forged here in the Kingdom of God. Recall the Commandment not to take the Lord’s name in vain.
Then it is time to move. Numbers 10.35-36 Moses words echo throughout history in this fine example of obedience of the Israelites. They would be wanderers but to my knowledge and reading of Numbers I haven’t come across a passage where when God moved or rested they disobeyed. It might be there. I may have overlooked it but it appears to me that they were faithful in this command.
Main #2: Learn the lesson of causing trouble. [Israel’s faithlessness]
As they head out to begin the conquest of the Holy Land. Everything is set in order. When the Lord’s presence moves they move. When He is still they are still. And so the cloud of His presence moves and they head out. Only, to fall flat on their faces. Almost immediately they begin to complain and murmur about their everyday lives. Food and Water and Leadership complaints come forth from them before they even get to the corner. Illustration: Road trip with the family…I forgot my [fill in the blank]
God in His grace and mercy provided, God’s faithfulness, for them at every turn and at the brink of the Holy Land they send in 12 spies to check things out. A little recon is in order. The spies check it out and come back and give report. The vote is ten to two against going into the Land. The same people who watched God provide for them everyday. Water from rocks thought that they couldn’t trust God to overcome the people of the Land. [1 Corinthians 10.1ff…1 Corinthians 11 = Communion] All except Caleb and Joshua. These two said, “With God nothing is impossible.” The people rebel and go with the larger report and God is not pleased. HE determines that not a single person from that generation of unbelief will be allowed into the Promised Land and so the nation of Israel wanders in the desert for 40 years. Not really learning their lesson…there is no second chance for these people. They had their chance and they wasted it in unbelief. Joshua and Caleb they were the only ones left alive after 40 years and they took the next generation into the Promised Land.
Main #3: Accept God’s new beginnings.
When they Old generation was dead the next generation needed a recommissioning of sorts (a reorganization is better). They were renumbered. The census was again taken. For the same reason the first one was taken. The regulations of life and offerings were reiterated to this new generation. And they were told exactly what they needed to do to take the land and how to live in it. You see God hadn’t changed. In the thousand of years since God hasn’t changed. He revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to the people of Israel. He reveals Himself to us in the person of Christ and that doesn’t negate all that He shows of Himself in the Hebrew Scripture for Christ did not come to abolish the Law but rather to fulfill it.
The bronze serpent connection to Christ from Numbers 21.9 to John 3.14-15. As a historical type of “salvation” when the serpent was lifted up and the men and women of Israel looked to it they were saved from their poisonous snake bite. When men and women look to the cross in faith they are saved because Jesus completed the work of salvation upon the cross. By His death and resurrection we can have out sin forgiven.
APPLICATION:
1. Two sets: generation [1-14 & 26-36]; numberings [1 & 26]; travels [10-14 & 21-27]; instructions [5-9 & 28-36] illustrating both the kindness and severity of God.
2. We follow God in trust and dependence.
3. Looking unto Jesus: for salvation = John 12.32 ff.
4. Looking unto Jesus: for our walk = Hebrews 12.1-2
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