God's response to evil Leaders

 Read Judges 9-10:5.

Cycle number five describes a national implosion.  There were no outside nations oppressing them in this time period.  They fought against each other. 

As good as Gideon was, he left a terrible legacy.  He had many wives who gave birth to seventy sons.  Then, there was at least one concubine with whom he fathered another son.  That son's name was Abimelech.  When Gideon died, it appears that he left a family and a nation with neither defined nor spiritual leadership. 

This next generation did not remember the LORD and what He had done for them.  In this void, Abimelech, with selfish ambition, rose to take power and control of Israel.  He first killed all but one of Gideon's sons and ruled for three years.  Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, escaped.  He then went to Shechem to preach a prophetic message to the city leaders. 

When challenged by what seems to be an even more godless man (Gaal), civil war broke out.  Abimelech proved to be ruthless in putting down all those who opposed him.  He must have thought himself to be invincible in personally leading the attacks.    Any warrior in those days would know the dangers of rushing a wall or tower.  No king would have been fighting on the front line.  It cost him his life. 

A couple of minor judges followed, providing national leadership and peace for a total of forty-five years. 

Insights:

1. When a people have an evil leader, everyone suffers.

2. In the worst of times, God has His people who can and will deliver His word.

3. The dissension was instigated by God in order to overthrow Abimelech. (9:23)

4. Though an unnamed woman was credited with mortally wounding him, it was God who "returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers." (9:56)

5. "And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads." (9:57) 

God's justice may seem slow to us but in His time He will right every wrong.  No one gets away with sin. 

God's hand is at work; even using evil people do accomplish His will. 

God's goal is to bring people back to worship Him so they may experience righteousness and peace.

 

When things look Impossible

 Read Judges 7-8. 

Cycle number four continues as Gideon had now become a leader of an army that would deliver Israel from the Midianites.  In what seems to be a strange assessment, God told Gideon he had too many soldiers for the battle.  The reason the LORD gave was that with so many the army could take the credit and glory for the victory. 

In the winnowing process, Gideon's army was reduced from 32,000 to just 300 men.  It was a humanly impossible assignment.  So, when these few men conquered Midian, everyone would know it was God's power and give glory only Him. 

When Gideon's army blew the trumpets and flashed their lamps, the army of Midian that could not be numbered (7:12) thought they were surrounded!  120,000 of the enemy died (8:10).  Though exhausted, Gideon and his men chased the Midianites clear across the Jordan.  Those who refused to support them along the way paid so with their lives.  Thus, God relieved the nation of its oppression and established Gideon's national leadership. 

The nation asked him to "rule over us" (8:22).  Notice his humility and submission to the LORD.  Truly, God was the ultimate ruler over the nation.  Gideon provided a leadership of peace for the next forty years. 

Two insights for today:

1. God wants to work in situations thought impossible so He alone will get the credit.

Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:27) 

2. God wants to use people who know they do not have what it takes to get the job done but are willing to trust God to accomplish His work through them.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2Corinthians 4:7)

 

When God does not answer our Questions

 Read Judges 6. 

Cycle number four begins in the first verse.  The next generation of Israelites "did what was evil" and "the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years."  The people then cried out for help.  But this time we are given much more detail of what took place.  First, God sent an unnamed prophet to point out the sin of the nation.  Second, "the angel of the LORD" appeared.  From the previous reference in Judges 2:1, this is none other than a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God Himself.  We are told He sat under a tree, waiting for the encounter with Gideon. 

Gideon was beating out the wheat in a winepress.  That meant he was hiding from the enemy and that the harvest must have been very small.  Yet, in a bit of prophetic humor the LORD called him a mighty man of valor.  Truthfully, Gideon was anything but such a man. 

Gideon's questions show either a lack of understanding or the common responses of one who is suffering.  Why has this happened to us?  Where is God when we need Him? 

Notice that the LORD answered neither question.  He simply called Gideon to go save Israel from the Midianites.  In response, Gideon poured out his inadequacies.  Then, the LORD said, "But I will be with you." (v.16)  One person with God is a majority every time.  The LORD chose to demonstrate His power to Gideon as proof of who He was and assurance of the victory ahead. 

There were no more questions from Gideon at this point.  Once he realized God's call on his life, God's presence with him, and God's power available to him, Gideon worshipped and obeyed.  When he personally took the bold step of destroying the false gods that had been erected, God protected him and clothed his leadership with the Spirit of God (v.34). 

The fleece test Gideon used was not to determine God's will.  He already knew that.  But in his timidity and lack of faith, he wanted the reassurance that the power and presence of God was with him.  

Insights not to miss:

1. When we are suffering loss or harm, rather than seek answers to the questions "why" or "where is God when I need Him", instead seek what God wants you to do.  Seeking answers can be enlightening but all too often drown us in the past and self-pity.  Knowing what God wants us to do and taking right actions will move our lives forward.

2. If it is God's will, then we can count on God's presence and power to go before us.

3. God wants our willingness to obey and worship Him alone.  Nothing will build our faith like doing the will of God.

4. Our future is assured.

 

How God works for our Success

 Read Judges 4-5. 

Cycle number three begins with the very first verse.  After 80 years of peace, Ehud, the judge who delivered them, died.  The new generation left the God who loves them to go their own evil way.  This time the LORD raised up King Jabin of Canaan to conquer and enslave Israel for 20 years.  Then, the people cried out to God for help.  God responded by using Deborah, a prophetess and judge. 

Deborah chose Barak to lead Israel's army in the overthrow of the Canaanites.  Barak's insistence on Deborah going with him was probably for her wise counsel and reassurance of the presence of God.  Barak exercised great faith in taking this assignment and completing it.  He is listed in Faith's Hall of Fame (Hebrews 11:32). 

In her prophecy statement to Barak, she said, "Up!  For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand." (4:14)  The scripture makes it clear that the LORD went before them and caused the Canaanite army to flee.  Sisera escaped and was killed by a woman, Jael.  "So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel." (4:23) 

The victory was followed by a long, narrative duet by Deborah and Barak.  Then, the nation enjoyed peace again for 40 years. 

The lessons of the repeating cycles are the same.  God will not allow people to go on indefinitely in sin.  Sin has devastating consequences.  Yet, when sinners abandon their sin to obey the LORD, He faithfully responds with forgiveness and deliverance.  In freeing His people, God has a plan for them and a time for the plan (4:14).  God even goes before His people to clear the way ahead.  But notice they still must do the fighting and pursuing.  He will not do it for them. 

In the duet, we learn some additional take away principles of success.

1. "Leaders took the lead." (5:2a)

Dr. Lee Roberson originally coined the phrase, "Everything rises and falls on leadership."

Olan Hendrix asked, "Have you ever noticed that the bottle neck is always at the top?"

Every nation, organization, church, and family needs godly and/or good leadership to survive.  But leadership is not a position.  It is an active endeavor.  People never achieve all their potential as a group unless someone takes the lead. 

2. "The people offered themselves willingly." (5:2b)

No person can lead anything alone.  A person is not a leader unless someone is following them.  The people within a nation, organization, church, or family have the responsibility to follow godly and/or good leadership.  Concerning the Macedonian believers Paul wrote, "...they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us." (2 Corinthians 8:5)

 

4 insights from bad Examples

 Read Judges 3. 

There are two reasons mentioned here as what God was doing with the nation.  Pagan people groups lived all around them.  First, He was testing them to see if they would reject spiritual corruption and obey His word.  Second, this new generation grew up without knowing how to go to war when needed.  They had to learn both. 

Their moral and spiritual failure of God's tests did not happen overnight.  The compromises took place over time, step by step.

Step 1. They lived among the unbelievers.

Step 2. They intermarried with the unbelievers.

Step 3. They served the pagan gods of the other cultures. 

This, then, began cycle number one in the book.

God was not going to tolerate their disobedience and evil in rejecting Him.  So, He brought King Cushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia to enslave them for eight years.  The people cried out to God for help and the LORD raised up a godly national leader.  His name was Othniel, the nephew of Caleb.  Note that it was not the leadership of Othniel that delivered them, but "the Spirit of the LORD."  The nation experience peace for 40 years. 

Cycle number two begins in verse 12.

After 48 years, another generation had grown up who did not desire to live for the LORD.  So, God energized King Eglon of Moab, along with some allies, to conquer and enslave Israel for eighteen years.  Then, the people cried out to God for help and the LORD raised up Ehud to deliver them.  God gave the nation 80 years of peace. 

There are four insights here for us.

1. The power of influence.  All of us need to be fully aware of our surroundings.  God has left believers in this world to influence our culture, not the other way around.  Indeed, those who live for Christ will increasingly find themselves living counter to culture.  We are "in the world but not of the world." 

2. The priority of teaching the next generation.  It is our duty, responsibility, and mission to teach the generations behind us what God's word says and how to put it into practice.  Otherwise, the consequences of shame, loss, and ultimately enslavement are well documented here. 

3. The purpose of accountability.  It has never been the plan of God that one should live without accountability.  Self-reliance is a recipe for disaster.  That is why godly, transparent relationships are crucial to our spiritual growth and maintenance.  Close friendships and/or marriage partner, and Bible teaching churches are core elements to the Christian life. 

4. The primacy of godly leadership.  When people are in need of leadership, the LORD does not raise up a committee.  He does not ask for a majority vote.  He raises up a godly leader, empowered by His spirit, and appropriately accountable.  The book of Judges repeatedly demonstrates that one leader in the power of God can rally and deliver a nation.  

 

What happened to God's Grandchildren?

 Read Judges 2. 

Someone once said, "God does not have any grandchildren."  That could not be clearer than in this chapter.  The first generation coming out of Egypt saw firsthand the miracles of God.  Moses even wrote down the word of God and their commitments so they would not forget.  The second generation benefited as they wandered in the wilderness.  God provided their daily food and needs.  When the second generation came into the land, they saw firsthand God's power and miracles under Joshua's leadership. 

But when Joshua died, "there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel.  And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals."" (v.10-11)  This resulted in their loss of God's power in their nation and placed them in "terrible distress." 

In their helplessness, the nation cried out to God for help.  The LORD responded by raising up a new national leader, called a judge.  That was followed by a time of victory and peace.  But as soon as the judge died, the people abandoned God and plunged back into pagan worship.  That was followed by oppression from a neighboring nation, great distress, helplessness, crying out to God for help, a new judge, and a time of peace. 

This cycle repeats itself 7 times in this book.  Walk Thru the Bible described it this way:

1. Sin-the nation falls into pagan worship.

2. Servitude-the nation suffers under an oppressive enemy.

3. Supplication-the nation cries out to God for help.

4. Salvation-God responds by raising up a new national leader to deliver them.

5. Silence-a time of peace 

In verse 22, God called each generation to a spiritual test to see if they would live according to His word.  Whatever grade the previous generation made on their test did not apply to the next.  

No one can take God's tests for us.  Godly parents do not guarantee godly children.  Parents are commanded to teach their children by precept and by living example (Deuteronomy 6).  But each generation, each person, is responsible and accountable for their own response to God.  The consequences for not listening and abandoning the LORD are devastating.  Great blessing, forgiveness, deliverance, and peace await those who cast their helplessness on Him.

 

When coexistence becomes Sin

 Read Judges 1-2:5. 

Controlling the land and taking possession of it are two different issues.  Joshua led the nation into the land, exercised great power over it, and set the boundaries for the tribes.  But the land was far from being fully occupied by Israel. 

One by one the tribes set out to take the land that God had given to them.  Yet, a half-dozen times we are told that a particular tribe "did not drive out" the inhabitants.  Instead, they worked out a covenant of coexistence.  Most often that meant that those who lived in the land submitted to forced labor. 

While on one hand that may sound like a wise, even merciful, thing to do, it was a direct violation of what God ordered.  The command was clear.  Israel was not to make any agreements with the surrounding peoples.  The reason was not to display military might and power over others.  From the beginning of the conquest, the LORD warned them against spiritual compromise.  The Canaanites had rejected the God of Heaven to worship their multiple man-made idols.  In Genesis 15:16, God told Abraham that his descendants would return and take the land at that time because of the completed sin of the Amorites. 

There can be no compromise or coexistence with sin and false worship.  God is a jealous God and will not share the honor due Him with anyone or anything.  

The good news is that the nation of Israel repented in tears for their disobedience.  Then, they worshipped the LORD. (2:4-5) 

The Apostle Paul wrote that believers in Jesus are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  In stating his case, he quoted Leviticus 26:12 and continued-"God said, I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) 

We must be diligent and vigilant about the spiritual areas of compromise and attempts at coexistence with sin in our lives.