Judges 1: What Started as a Conquest Deteriorated into Compromise

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter, a Welcome to Chapter by Chapter, a four-year journey through the greatest four-year journey through the greatest four-year journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word book given to the human race, the word book given to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through of God, the Bible. We get to go through of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter by chapter. That's 7 minutes it chapter by chapter. That's 7 minutes it chapter by chapter. That's 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Join us each day a day, 7 days a week. Join us each day a day, 7 days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can and share it with others so they can and share it with others so they can join the journey that will be join the journey that will be join the journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. places on the journey and be challenged. places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. Some verses will create awe and wonder. Some verses will create awe and wonder. We'll have chapters that will be We'll have chapters that will be We'll have chapters that will be instructive and in others we'll find joy instructive and in others we'll find joy instructive and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be and comfort. We will occasionally be and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in convicted and want to change, but all in convicted and want to change, but all in all the journey will be worth it. Once all the journey will be worth it. Once all the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the in a while we may take a detour on the in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's journey and hear from some of God's journey and hear from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from servants on their favorite passages from servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give a chapter of scripture and let them give a chapter of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a you their insight. Every journey needs a you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way small detour occasionally. The best way small detour occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is to get the most from this podcast is to get the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before read the chapter we're discussing before read the chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. or after. It's his word that transforms. or after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter. Today's chapter is Judges 1. Chapter. Today's chapter is Judges 1. Chapter. Today's chapter is Judges 1. What started as a conquest deteriorated What started as a conquest deteriorated What started as a conquest deteriorated into compromise. into compromise. into compromise. I remember some years ago reading Dr.

I remember some years ago reading Dr. I remember some years ago reading Dr. George Sweeting's book of sermons. He George Sweeting's book of sermons. He George Sweeting's book of sermons. He was the former president of Moody Bible was the former president of Moody Bible was the former president of Moody Bible Institute. He said this, "Several years Institute. He said this, "Several years Institute. He said this, "Several years ago our family visited Niagara Falls. It ago our family visited Niagara Falls. It ago our family visited Niagara Falls. It was spring and ice was rushing down the was spring and ice was rushing down the was spring and ice was rushing down the river. As I viewed the large blocks of river. As I viewed the large blocks of river. As I viewed the large blocks of ice flowing toward the falls, I could ice flowing toward the falls, I could ice flowing toward the falls, I could see that there was carcasses of dead see that there was carcasses of dead see that there was carcasses of dead fish embedded in the ice. fish embedded in the ice. fish embedded in the ice. Seagulls by the score were were riding Seagulls by the score were were riding Seagulls by the score were were riding down the river feeding on the fish. As down the river feeding on the fish. As down the river feeding on the fish. As they came to the brink of the falls, they came to the brink of the falls, they came to the brink of the falls, their wings would go out and they would their wings would go out and they would their wings would go out and they would escape from the falls. I watched one escape from the falls. I watched one escape from the falls. I watched one gull which seemed to delay and wondered gull which seemed to delay and wondered gull which seemed to delay and wondered when it would leave. It was engrossed in when it would leave. It was engrossed in when it would leave. It was engrossed in the carcass of a fish and when it the carcass of a fish and when it the carcass of a fish and when it finally came to the brink of the falls, finally came to the brink of the falls, finally came to the brink of the falls, out went these powerful wings. The bird out went these powerful wings. The bird out went these powerful wings. The bird flapped and flapped and even lifted the flapped and flapped and even lifted the flapped and flapped and even lifted the ice out of the water and I thought it ice out of the water and I thought it ice out of the water and I thought it would escape, but it had delayed too would escape, but it had delayed too would escape, but it had delayed too long long long so that its claws had frozen into the so that its claws had frozen into the so that its claws had frozen into the ice. The weight of the ice was too great ice. The weight of the ice was too great ice. The weight of the ice was too great and the gull plunged into the abyss. Oh, and the gull plunged into the abyss. Oh, and the gull plunged into the abyss. Oh, the danger of delay. Israel was delaying the danger of delay. Israel was delaying the danger of delay. Israel was delaying what God commanded them to do decades what God commanded them to do decades what God commanded them to do decades earlier and the current is taking them earlier and the current is taking them earlier and the current is taking them over the falls unless something happens.

over the falls unless something happens. over the falls unless something happens. Unless God intervenes. God does Unless God intervenes. God does Unless God intervenes. God does intervene. He intervenes with 13 people intervene. He intervenes with 13 people intervene. He intervenes with 13 people called judges. called judges. called judges. Judges in Judges are not what we think Judges in Judges are not what we think Judges in Judges are not what we think of today when we think of a judge. These of today when we think of a judge. These of today when we think of a judge. These were not judges for judicial purposes in were not judges for judicial purposes in were not judges for judicial purposes in black gowns sitting on the bench black gowns sitting on the bench black gowns sitting on the bench listening to court cases and making listening to court cases and making listening to court cases and making rulings. rulings. rulings. The judges of the book of Judges were The judges of the book of Judges were The judges of the book of Judges were heroes of the faith that arose at a time heroes of the faith that arose at a time heroes of the faith that arose at a time when Israel was approaching their when Israel was approaching their when Israel was approaching their Niagara Falls and was going over the Niagara Falls and was going over the Niagara Falls and was going over the edge into sin and debauchery. edge into sin and debauchery. edge into sin and debauchery. These 13 men and women were deliverers These 13 men and women were deliverers These 13 men and women were deliverers at critical times in Israel's history. at critical times in Israel's history. at critical times in Israel's history. They were all spirit-filled and were They were all spirit-filled and were They were all spirit-filled and were used by God to bring the people back to used by God to bring the people back to used by God to bring the people back to God because the wrong spirit was God because the wrong spirit was God because the wrong spirit was infecting the people. These 21 chapters infecting the people. These 21 chapters infecting the people. These 21 chapters will cover 350 will cover 350 will cover 350 years of Israel's history. Throughout years of Israel's history. Throughout years of Israel's history. Throughout these 350 years, sin's cycle in Israel's these 350 years, sin's cycle in Israel's these 350 years, sin's cycle in Israel's life is not creative but deadly. It's life is not creative but deadly. It's life is not creative but deadly. It's deadly consistent. You have people deadly consistent. You have people deadly consistent. You have people serving God. Then we see them disobeying serving God. Then we see them disobeying serving God. Then we see them disobeying God. Then the people will be enslaved to God. Then the people will be enslaved to God. Then the people will be enslaved to their sin and their captors from their their sin and their captors from their their sin and their captors from their disobedience. They will cry out to God disobedience. They will cry out to God disobedience. They will cry out to God at their lowest point. God will hear at their lowest point. God will hear at their lowest point. God will hear their prayer and will send a deliverer.

their prayer and will send a deliverer. their prayer and will send a deliverer. He will raise up a judge. I remember He will raise up a judge. I remember He will raise up a judge. I remember reading these words by Bible teacher reading these words by Bible teacher reading these words by Bible teacher Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This is what she Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This is what she Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This is what she said. Most of us have become so familiar said. Most of us have become so familiar said. Most of us have become so familiar with sin that we no longer see it as a with sin that we no longer see it as a with sin that we no longer see it as a deadly monster. Sin is more dangerous deadly monster. Sin is more dangerous deadly monster. Sin is more dangerous than wild bears, more deadly than a than wild bears, more deadly than a than wild bears, more deadly than a blazing forest fire. Ask Nebuchadnezzar blazing forest fire. Ask Nebuchadnezzar blazing forest fire. Ask Nebuchadnezzar who lost his mind because he refused to who lost his mind because he refused to who lost his mind because he refused to deal with his pride. Ask Samson who deal with his pride. Ask Samson who deal with his pride. Ask Samson who reduced to a pathetic shred of a man reduced to a pathetic shred of a man reduced to a pathetic shred of a man because he never got control over the because he never got control over the because he never got control over the lust of his flesh. Ask Achan and Ananias lust of his flesh. Ask Achan and Ananias lust of his flesh. Ask Achan and Ananias and Sapphira who lost all their lives and Sapphira who lost all their lives and Sapphira who lost all their lives over small secret sins. If there is one over small secret sins. If there is one over small secret sins. If there is one message that keeps beating the drum in message that keeps beating the drum in message that keeps beating the drum in the book of Judges, it is that living in the book of Judges, it is that living in the book of Judges, it is that living in sin will destroy your life and it sin will destroy your life and it sin will destroy your life and it doesn't deliver what it promises. Sin doesn't deliver what it promises. Sin doesn't deliver what it promises. Sin adds to your trouble, multiplies your adds to your trouble, multiplies your adds to your trouble, multiplies your difficulties, and destroys your future. difficulties, and destroys your future. difficulties, and destroys your future. Israel is about to find this out for the Israel is about to find this out for the Israel is about to find this out for the next three centuries after the death of next three centuries after the death of next three centuries after the death of Joshua. It's interesting what happens Joshua. It's interesting what happens Joshua. It's interesting what happens when Moses dies and when Joshua dies.

when Moses dies and when Joshua dies. when Moses dies and when Joshua dies. The book of Joshua opens up with these The book of Joshua opens up with these The book of Joshua opens up with these words. This is Joshua 1:1. Now it came words. This is Joshua 1:1. Now it came words. This is Joshua 1:1. Now it came about after the death of Moses, the about after the death of Moses, the about after the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying, "Moses my servant is servant, saying, "Moses my servant is servant, saying, "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, cross this dead. Now therefore, arise, cross this dead. Now therefore, arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people to the Jordan, you and all this people to the Jordan, you and all this people to the land which I'm giving to them, to the land which I'm giving to them, to the land which I'm giving to them, to the sons of Israel." sons of Israel." sons of Israel." When Joshua dies, the book of Judges When Joshua dies, the book of Judges When Joshua dies, the book of Judges opens up with these words. This is opens up with these words. This is opens up with these words. This is Judges 1:1. Now it came about after the Judges 1:1. Now it came about after the Judges 1:1. Now it came about after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel death of Joshua that the sons of Israel death of Joshua that the sons of Israel inquired of the Lord saying, "Who shall inquired of the Lord saying, "Who shall inquired of the Lord saying, "Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites to go up for us against the Canaanites to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?" The Lord said, fight against them?" The Lord said, fight against them?" The Lord said, "Judah shall go up. Behold, I've given "Judah shall go up. Behold, I've given "Judah shall go up. Behold, I've given the land into his hand." There's no next the land into his hand." There's no next the land into his hand." There's no next leader that's mentioned. Was this leader that's mentioned. Was this leader that's mentioned. Was this supposed to be this way? supposed to be this way? supposed to be this way? Did Joshua fail to raise up someone as Did Joshua fail to raise up someone as Did Joshua fail to raise up someone as Moses raised him up? We go from Joshua Moses raised him up? We go from Joshua Moses raised him up? We go from Joshua is dead to Judah, no leaders name is is dead to Judah, no leaders name is is dead to Judah, no leaders name is inserted, and they enter a new season inserted, and they enter a new season inserted, and they enter a new season asking questions instead of confidently asking questions instead of confidently asking questions instead of confidently knowing what to do.

knowing what to do. knowing what to do. Whatever the reason, it seems it wasn't Whatever the reason, it seems it wasn't Whatever the reason, it seems it wasn't supposed to be because Israel will supposed to be because Israel will supposed to be because Israel will compromise because Israel is leaderless. compromise because Israel is leaderless. compromise because Israel is leaderless. All the way back in Exodus, right after All the way back in Exodus, right after All the way back in Exodus, right after Israel leaves Egypt, God gives them a Israel leaves Egypt, God gives them a Israel leaves Egypt, God gives them a specific command for when they would specific command for when they would specific command for when they would enter the promised land. God says this enter the promised land. God says this enter the promised land. God says this in Exodus 23:22, in Exodus 23:22, in Exodus 23:22, "But if you are careful to obey him, "But if you are careful to obey him, "But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I following all my instructions, then I following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies. will be an enemy to your enemies. will be an enemy to your enemies. For my angel shall go before you and For my angel shall go before you and For my angel shall go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, bring you into the land of the Amorites, bring you into the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, the Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, the Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites to live there, Hivites, and Jebusites to live there, Hivites, and Jebusites to live there, and I will destroy those people before and I will destroy those people before and I will destroy those people before you. You must not worship the gods of you. You must not worship the gods of you. You must not worship the gods of these other nations, nor sacrifice to these other nations, nor sacrifice to these other nations, nor sacrifice to them in any way, and you must not follow them in any way, and you must not follow them in any way, and you must not follow the evil example of these heathen the evil example of these heathen the evil example of these heathen people. You must utterly conquer them people. You must utterly conquer them people. You must utterly conquer them and break down their shameful idols." and break down their shameful idols." and break down their shameful idols." God's message was clear 72 years God's message was clear 72 years God's message was clear 72 years earlier. As we come to the next season earlier. As we come to the next season earlier. As we come to the next season of their lives in Canaan, we are faced of their lives in Canaan, we are faced of their lives in Canaan, we are faced with a common phrase that speaks of with a common phrase that speaks of with a common phrase that speaks of disobedience and compromise. We realize disobedience and compromise. We realize disobedience and compromise. We realize that what started as a conquest that what started as a conquest that what started as a conquest deteriorated deteriorated deteriorated into compromise. The phrase is this, into compromise. The phrase is this, into compromise. The phrase is this, "They did not drive out their enemies."

"They did not drive out their enemies." "They did not drive out their enemies." It says this in Judges 1:28-33. It says this in Judges 1:28-33. It says this in Judges 1:28-33. Listen to it. "It came about that when Listen to it. "It came about that when Listen to it. "It came about that when Israel became strong that they put the Israel became strong that they put the Israel became strong that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did Canaanites to forced labor, but they did Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely. Verse 29, not drive them out completely. Verse 29, not drive them out completely. Verse 29, Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer, so the who were living in Gezer, so the who were living in Gezer, so the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them. Canaanites lived in Gezer among them. Canaanites lived in Gezer among them. Zebulun did not drive out the Zebulun did not drive out the Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants of Nahalol, so the Canaanites lived of Nahalol, so the Canaanites lived of Nahalol, so the Canaanites lived among them and became subject to forced among them and became subject to forced among them and became subject to forced labor. labor. labor. Asher did not drive out the inhabitants Asher did not drive out the inhabitants Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon or of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon or of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon or of Ahlab or of Achzib or of Helbah or of of Ahlab or of Achzib or of Helbah or of of Ahlab or of Achzib or of Helbah or of Aphik or of Rehob. So the Asherites Aphik or of Rehob. So the Asherites Aphik or of Rehob. So the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the lived among the Canaanites, the lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land for they did not inhabitants of the land for they did not inhabitants of the land for they did not drive them out. Verse 33, Naphtali did drive them out. Verse 33, Naphtali did drive them out. Verse 33, Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of not drive out the inhabitants of not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth-anath but lived among the Beth-anath but lived among the Beth-anath but lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became forced labor for them.

Beth-anath became forced labor for them. Beth-anath became forced labor for them. Over and over again we read the words, Over and over again we read the words, Over and over again we read the words, they did not drive out the inhabitants they did not drive out the inhabitants they did not drive out the inhabitants and it was a clear violation of what God and it was a clear violation of what God and it was a clear violation of what God asked them to do. They allowed the enemy asked them to do. They allowed the enemy asked them to do. They allowed the enemy to live on their inheritance. This is to live on their inheritance. This is to live on their inheritance. This is why Joshua told the entire nation in why Joshua told the entire nation in why Joshua told the entire nation in Joshua 24 these haunting and yet Joshua 24 these haunting and yet Joshua 24 these haunting and yet prophetic words. Here it is, this is prophetic words. Here it is, this is prophetic words. Here it is, this is verse 20. If you forsake the Lord and verse 20. If you forsake the Lord and verse 20. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn serve foreign gods, then he will turn serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you after he and do you harm and consume you after he and do you harm and consume you after he has done good to you. The people said to has done good to you. The people said to has done good to you. The people said to Joshua, "No, but we will serve the Joshua, "No, but we will serve the Joshua, "No, but we will serve the Lord." Joshua said to the people, "You Lord." Joshua said to the people, "You Lord." Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourself that you are witnesses against yourself that you are witnesses against yourself that you have chosen for yourselves the Lord to have chosen for yourselves the Lord to have chosen for yourselves the Lord to serve him." And they said, "We are serve him." And they said, "We are serve him." And they said, "We are witnesses." Now therefore, put away the witnesses." Now therefore, put away the witnesses." Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst and foreign gods which are in your midst and foreign gods which are in your midst and incline your heart to the Lord, the God incline your heart to the Lord, the God incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel. The people said to Joshua, of Israel. The people said to Joshua, of Israel. The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the Lord our God and we "We will serve the Lord our God and we "We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey his voice." It took one will obey his voice." It took one will obey his voice." It took one chapter and the people broke the promise chapter and the people broke the promise chapter and the people broke the promise they made. they made. they made. It was C.H. Spurgeon who said, "Sin It was C.H. Spurgeon who said, "Sin It was C.H. Spurgeon who said, "Sin murdered Christ. Will you be a friend to murdered Christ. Will you be a friend to murdered Christ. Will you be a friend to it? Sin pierced the heart of the it? Sin pierced the heart of the it? Sin pierced the heart of the incarnate God. Can you love it?"

incarnate God. Can you love it?" incarnate God. Can you love it?" See, letting sin co-dwell in my life in See, letting sin co-dwell in my life in See, letting sin co-dwell in my life in Jesus is as dangerous as not driving out Jesus is as dangerous as not driving out Jesus is as dangerous as not driving out the enemies of Judges 1. We cannot be the enemies of Judges 1. We cannot be the enemies of Judges 1. We cannot be friends to inhabitants that will ruin friends to inhabitants that will ruin friends to inhabitants that will ruin our lives and future. We cannot be our lives and future. We cannot be our lives and future. We cannot be roommates. We must be enemies and roommates. We must be enemies and roommates. We must be enemies and constant soldiers. Israel decided to constant soldiers. Israel decided to constant soldiers. Israel decided to learn to live with sin instead of taking learn to live with sin instead of taking learn to live with sin instead of taking on the posture of a soldier and staying on the posture of a soldier and staying on the posture of a soldier and staying alert to the enemy that seeks to steal, alert to the enemy that seeks to steal, alert to the enemy that seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. kill, and destroy. kill, and destroy. Eight times it says in this book the Eight times it says in this book the Eight times it says in this book the people did evil in the sight of the Lord people did evil in the sight of the Lord people did evil in the sight of the Lord and fell under God's discipline and into and fell under God's discipline and into and fell under God's discipline and into the hands of their enemies. The only the hands of their enemies. The only the hands of their enemies. The only thing that rescued them was when they thing that rescued them was when they thing that rescued them was when they humbled themselves and cried out to God humbled themselves and cried out to God humbled themselves and cried out to God for mercy. Every single time God for mercy. Every single time God for mercy. Every single time God answered that prayer. I would rather ask answered that prayer. I would rather ask answered that prayer. I would rather ask for strength to fight now for strength to fight now for strength to fight now than mercy later for my compromise.

than mercy later for my compromise. than mercy later for my compromise. God will give either, but the strength God will give either, but the strength God will give either, but the strength prayer prayer prayer is best. is best. is best. Thank you for joining Chapter by Thank you for joining Chapter by Thank you for joining Chapter by Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.