Last night we started our new L.I.F.E. Lessons Bible Study, and I have decided to bring our study into our devotional time, as well. We are following a six-week Bible Study by Katie M. Reid entitled, “God, What Do I do?” This study is based on the Book of Judges, Chapters 1-5, and we are digging into what these lessons teach us about making wise decisions in uncertain times.
Last night, my goal was to give a proper introduction to the Book of Judges. If you have time to listen to the study, it will help you understand the context, location, timeline, God’s faithfulness, and His commands. We spent much of our time “remembering” the promise of God to remain faithful to His covenant. God alone is perfectly faithful.
Later, we read Judges 1:1-2 and our focus was, “God, What Do I Do First?” In those brief passages, we learn Joshua, Israel’s military leader and assistant to Moses, has died, and the people are looking for direction from God. Entering the Promised Land is filled with uncertainty, and the people are overwhelmed. God answers the people’s prayer, gives divine direction [Judah—praise—is God’s anointed tribe to fight against the Canaanites], and then God waits for obedience. To hear is to obey!
Truth: When we aren’t sure what to do first, we must decide to pray, listen, obey…and repeat.
In our passage for today, we will continue with chapter 1; our focus is “God, What Do I Do When I Need Help?”
Judges 1:3-11 NLT
3 The men of Judah said to their relatives from the tribe of Simeon, “Join with us to fight against the Canaanites living in the territory allotted to us. Then, we will help you conquer your territory.” So the men of Simeon went with Judah.
4 When the men of Judah attacked, the Lord gave them victory over the Canaanites and Perizzites, and they killed 10,000 enemy warriors at the town of Bezek. 5 While at Bezek they encountered King Adoni-bezek and fought against him, and the Canaanites and Perizzites were defeated. 6 Adoni-bezek escaped, but the Israelites soon captured him and cut off his thumbs and big toes [justice—an eye for an eye; without thumbs cannot hold a weapon and without big toes cannot balance or fight].
7 Adoni-bezek said, “I once had seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off, eating scraps from under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.” They took him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
8 The men of Judah attacked Jerusalem and captured it, killing all its people and setting the city on fire. 9 Then they went down to fight the Canaanites living in the hill country, the Negev, and the western foothills.[a] 10 Judah marched against the Canaanites in Hebron (formerly called Kiriath-arba), defeating the forces of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
11 From there they went to fight against the people living in the town of Debir (formerly called Kiriath-sepher).
According to verses 2 and 3, God was with Judah; this is a picture of the Lord going before us in spiritual battle. Judah and Simeon supporting one another in battle is a powerful image. We are certainly stronger together, too. It can be easier to follow through in obeying the Lord when we have companionship and accountability along the way. Wearing yourself out is often based on striving and trying to prove yourself, but pouring yourself out is operating from the overflow, in obedience, and gratitude.
In verses 4-11, we should note that the people asked God for wisdom, He answered them, and they obeyed God. These two tribes worked together to accomplish God’s purposes. God’s instructions were for His people to fight against injustice, grievous sins, and idol worship—to fight against that which opposed God and His ways. This was not for violence’s sake; it was because the people had a greater need for deliverance from the sin that drew them away from God.
Truth: When you need help, decide to obey God by connecting with and helping one another, according to His example and His instructions.
Prayer: Lord, help us to maximize our efforts for your Kingdom, by collaborating and sharing the load while stewarding our responsibilities. Thank You for being our Promise Keeper and always being available for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.