Did you know that Judges could be one of the most shocking books in the Bible? If Judges were a magazine, here are some possible story titles:
Family Fight Ends with 69 Dead
Government Leader Caught in Love Scandal
Girls Die from Gang Rape
Girls at Party Kidnapped and Forced to Marry Kidnappers
Not only is it shocking, its also full of people with struggles and insecurities just like you and me that we can relate to and principles that relate to us today. And my favorite thing about Judges is how God shows His heart and character!
My challenge for you is to read until a verse jumps out at you and then answer these questions in a personal journal.
1. What about the verse strikes you? Why?
2. Ask God why He brought this to your mind. Write down your thoughts.
3. If you were in this scene, how would you respond? What would you be thinking or feeling?
4. What principle can be derived?
5. How does that principle relate to your everyday life?
6. How can you respond to what God has shown you with action-oriented faith?
Most importantly, dont forget to start by submitting yourself to Christ, asking Him to lead your thinking and show you what He wants. If you havent watched the Spirit-filled Life video I made, I highly recommend it (since it applies directly to spending time with the Lord).
Groups Studying Judges
Last year, I led a group of ladies through Judges. It was a different kind of study than I have ever done before. I guess the best way to describe it is that we actually studied it right then, together, and then shared our insights. We spent about half of the study silently studying a verse that stood out to us. It was really incredible because at the end, when each lady shared what God had shown her and how it applied to her life, it always seemed like there was a related theme. It was such a joy to see God sharing His heart and getting to hear them talk about it. It was also pretty great because a lot of ladies got so much out of it that they started using the worksheet for their daily quiet times as a way to read the historical books in the Old Testament.
Judges 1:1-3
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?" And the LORD said, Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand. Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, Come up with me into the territory allotted me, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you. So Simeon went with him. (Judges 1:1-3)
The boundary lines had already been drawn up for each of the tribes to take the land. They just hadnt done it yet. So I love that even though their leader had died, they didnt give up on the mission. And more importantly, they didnt give up on turning to the Lord.
I find it interesting that they asked who should go up and fight. Because before this time, they all had worked together under one leader. Having worked together to fight, its interesting that they assumed only one of the tribes should go. God had appointed Moses. Just one guy. And then God told Moses to appoint Joshua. Again, just one guy. But the Lord never told Joshua to appoint a successor. And what a gift because it allows us to see that God also uses ordinary people who arent appointed to be the head honcho.
So the Lord sends the tribe of Judah, and they ask the Simeonites to go with them. This brings a lot of questions to mind:
Would you be willing to be the tribe not chosen for this great task?
How would you react? Would you complain, criticize, or be jealous? Or take the route of self-pity?
If in the tribe of Simeon, would you be willing to be an accompanist and take joy in helping the chosen tribe?
Would you root whole-heartedly from the sidelines, knowing you still had a part to play?
The Lord is the One who knows who is best fit for each task. When I am not chosen or picked, Lord, remind me that You had a hand in it. That You have not overlooked or disregarded me; its just that You have different plans. Lord, how does this relate to my daily life?
Have you been overlooked recently? Not appreciated or disregarded? Has someone else received the thing you were hoping for or was asked to do something you were hoping to be asked to do?
Ive been there. Just know the Lord has not overlooked you. He has not disregarded you. He knows exactly what He is doing. So often we have to remind ourselves whats true: If the Lord is for me, who can be against me?
God radically loves you, and He is for you!
It helps to be proactive and give thanks in all things because it changes our attitudes. But having an attitude of thankfulness (such as thanking God for the other person getting _____) is only something that comes by the strength, perspective, and ability of His Spirit. The fruit of the Spiritlove (which is unselfishly choosing for anothers highest good), joy, peace, patienceare not something we can conjure up. They are born in our hearts as we remain connected to the Lord as a branch does to a vine. As we submit and yield to Him, we give Him freedom to allow His heart and perspective to be lived through us.
Lord, we are desperately dependent on You. We want to have a heart that pleases You and not be selfish, but apart from You, we can do nothing. Please produce in us a heart that is able to be grateful for not being chosen right now. A heart that is willing to do whatever You ask. A heart surrendered to You and willing to be aligned to Yours. Lord, You are pretty incredible, knowing everything and being patient even when we get tired of being overlooked. Your knowledge and patience are so comforting, Lord. Thank You for opening our eyes and showing us that about You!
Judges 1:4-7
And Judah went up, and the LORD gave the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands; and they defeated ten thousand men at Bezek. And they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, putting to rout the Canaanites and Perizzites. Adoni-Bezek fled, but they chased him and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Then Adoni-Bezek said, Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have picked up scraps under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them. They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there. (Judges 1:4-7)