Judges (Page 2)
“Gideon’s Legacy” (Judges 9)
Introduction Last week we noted the unfitting end to Gideon’s life. A man worthy of great commendation for his faith, comes a hair’s width away from condemnation near the end. He declared that God was Israel’s King, but lived as if he were king, even naming his son Abimelech (“My father is king”). Gideon’s downfall was the result of: Underestimating external temptation Underestimating internal corruption Neglecting the means of God’s preservation (Holy Spirit, Prayer). But prior to that, we saw…
“An Unfitting End” (Judges 7:24-8:35)
Introduction So far, we’ve viewed the judges as almost entirely positive. We’ve taken the interpretive lens from Hebrews 11:32, viewing these men as exemplars of faith. Othniel, Ehud, Barak, and Gideon were all called to lead the Israelites in military conquest against their oppressors. And God gave them success. Unfortunately, when we come to the end of Gideon’s life, there is no excusing much of what he did. Yes God clothed him with the Spirit and used him to deliver…
“Gideon’s Divine Mission – Pt. 2” (Judges 6:25-40)
Introduction As many as 42% of U.S. adults have assumed a different religious identity from the one in which they were raised, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. Midianite oppression > Gideon’s call by the Angel of the Lord > conversion and offering. Gideon was from the tribe of Manassah, but his family not only worshipped Baal, his father was a priest of Baal keeping an altar at their home. Last week we noted the numerous parallels that…
“Gideon’s Divine Mission – Pt. 1” (Judges 6:25-40)
Introduction As many as 42% of U.S. adults have assumed a different religious identity from the one in which they were raised, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. Midianite oppression > Gideon’s call by the Angel of the Lord > conversion and offering. Gideon was from the tribe of Manassah, but his family not only worshipped Baal, his father was a priest of Baal keeping an altar at their home. Last week we noted the numerous parallels that…
“The Call of Gideon” (Judges 6:1-24)
Introduction What is the posture of your heart when you prepare to come into the Lord’s presence for worship? Would you confess a reluctant spirit? Is your mind so divided that you fail to grasp what’s being read? Maybe we’re distracted by other people or other concerns. We’re filled with disinterest instead of reverence, complacency instead of anticipation. In this opening section of Gideon’s narrative, which focuses upon his calling, we get an illustration of the proper posture of our…
“Victory Song” (Judges 5:1-31)
Introduction Martin Luther once said that he did not care so much who wrote the theologies, as long as he could write the hymns. Music has a powerful effect and can do more to change the culture than mere logic. Songs have a way of bringing head knowledge to the heart. Israel’s downward spiral entered it’s third cycle in ch.4. Deborah’s leadership role, Barak’s faith, Jael’s assassination of Sisera. How do we know Deborah wrote it? Not a duet wearing…
“It’s Hammer Time” (Judges 4:1-24)
Introduction The 49ers had a motto they pumped themselves up with before and after each game in 2011-2012. Jim Harbaugh shouted: “Who’s got it better than us?” Team responded: “Nobody!” Our next section of Judges, begins with the repeated refrain (1). Why did they do it? Psalm 73:1-10. However, notice where Asaph ends in vv.23-26. There’s the key difference between the Israelites in Judges and Asaph! Ch.1 – Political failure. Ch.2 – Spiritual failure. Ch.3 – Deliverance! Yet, take away…
“The Left-Handed Assassin” (Judges 3:12-31)
Introduction If you’re new here, you should be aware that we have no shortage of boys running around with various toy weapons after every service. We try to contain them somewhat, but we also want them to know they can remain boys at Church. Boys, if you aren’t running around with daggers strapped to your right thigh or held in your left hand, calling yourselves Ehud this morning – I will have failed. This is an exciting account. It certainly…
The Paradigmatic Hero (Judges 3:7-11)
Introduction So far we’ve seen two introductions. The first detailed the political decline of Israel. The second detailed the religious decline of Israel. What preserved Israel during this downward spiral was the discipline of the Lord. The Lord’s kindness is evident even in his chastisement. God is accomplishing his redemptive purposes through intentional acts of discipline (Hebrews 12:11). Chastisement is ultimately followed by rescue in the form of judges who served as (1) Civil Magistrates and (2) Deliverers. Othniel serves…
The Religious Decline of Israel (Judges 2:1-3:6)
Introduction Have you ever felt so trapped in a cycle of sin that you questioned your salvation? Octavius Winslow “If there is one consideration more humbling than another to a spiritually-minded believer, it is, that, after all God has done for him, – after all the rich displays of his grace, the patience and tenderness of his instructions, the repeated discipline of his covenant, the tokens of love received, and the lessons of experience learned, there should still exist in…