A Message from Judges Chapter 1

Today, we are going to consider Judges Chapter 1 for our discussion. I would like for us to consider  three important questions as part of our discussion.

Question One, “Belief in Motion: Why Faith Demands More than Words“.

Question two, “The Middle Ground Myth: Navigating the Temptations of Compromise“.

And finally question Three,  “History’s Echo: Unraveling the Cyclical Saga of Human Nature“.

Today will discuss the first question, “Belief in Motion: Why Faith Demands More than Words”. “Belief in Motion: Why Faith Demands More than Words” dives into the essence of true faith, as exemplified in the narrative of Judges Chapter 1, illustrating that faith is not merely a matter of professing belief but requires action to bring about tangible change in the world.

Before I get into discussing this topic, I wanted to highlight one point. If there is one book that is relevant to our day and age today, it is the book of Judges. Not only is the book of Judges one of the lesser-read books in the Bible, but it is also one of the most misunderstood.

It is often misunderstood maybe you haven’t taken the time to study it, or maybe too much bloodshed and is not very appealing to people to teach on a Sunday morning for example.

Nevertheless, the Book of Judges is important to study. Because there are so many comparisons that can be made between Judges and the apostasy we see happening in Christendom all around the world today.

The first thing you need to know is that once we enter into the Book of Judges, we are entering a period when Israel rapidly descended into big-time apostasy. It’s a sad story of a deluded people who thought they were being completely faithful to God but the opposite was true because they continued to pursue peace with their pagan neighbors.

The children of Israel fell away from God because they didn’t want to ruffle any feathers with their pagan neighbours. Israel vigorously pursued peace but it was not a peace ordained by the Lord.

Here is what we have to understand, when we pursue peace with the world, more often than not it results in us compromising and being influenced by the world instead of us influencing the world. Believe it or not, that’s what happened with the Israelites in the Book of Judges. They ended up adopting the religious practices of the Mystery Babylon religious systems and assimilating into the heathen Canaanite culture.

There are a few great mistakes since the Children of Israel took over the land under the leadership of Joshua… well kind of took over. Because just as Joshua failed to drive out all the Canaanites from the land. That was the command of the Lord.

Don’t we do the same? After we became believers, we have also failed to drive out certain ungodly elements from our lives. It could be friends we should no longer hang out with. It could be the music we listen to. Or maybe some of the habits or addictions we struggle to get rid of.

 Another reason is that the Children of Israel departed from the covenant that they made with their God.  They tend to walk away from being loyal to Him, and following His commandments. Their relationship with their God was dwindling down because it was not very important to them any longer.

To be honest the same can be told of us too. When everything goes well we tend to neglect our relationship with God. We neglect to pray, study the Word regularly and fellowship with other believers. The result is we become spiritually dull and lose interest in the things of the Lord.

And there is yet another failure here we can see that resonates well with us today.  They tried to compromise with their Canaanite neighbours over time. Remember they failed to get rid of the Canaanites from the land, They saw benefits in keeping them around. That could be for economic reasons or for social benefits. So these Canaanite tribes were all around them.

The sad truth is over time the Israelites preferred worshipping the heathen gods of their neighbours instead of being 100% faithful to their one True God. They kept them because they were afraid of retaliation and unwanted inconvenience in their own lives. It was a matter of being controlled by fear instead of faith.

Is it not the same with us today? We are right to accept a liberal agenda these days. Abortion, homosexuality, etc. are all of a sudden not a big deal. We are afraid to voice against them. Their faith was kind of fleeting away.

In the aftermath of Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites faced the daunting task of taking possession of the Promised Land. This chapter vividly demonstrates that their successes and failures were not just military outcomes but reflections of their faith in motion. Where faith was paired with action, the Israelites saw victories. Where there was hesitation or compromise, their efforts faltered, leaving them short of God’s promises.

This narrative prompts us to reflect on our own understanding of faith. It challenges the modern believer to ask: Is my faith merely a declaration, or is it alive, pulsating through every decision and action I undertake?

The tribes of Israel who acted with conviction, who moved forward despite the uncertainty, embody the dynamic faith we are called to emulate.

“Belief in Motion” suggests that faith is not static. Like the Israelites facing diverse and powerful enemies, we too encounter challenges that test the depth of our conviction. Yet, it is in moving forward, in the doing, that our faith grows and becomes visible. Faith without action is like seeds never sown; it holds potential but fails to flourish.

Moreover, Judges Chapter 1 offers a cautionary tale about the consequences of incomplete obedience and half-hearted faith actions. The Israelites’ failure to fully conquer the land and expel its inhabitants led to future complications, highlighting that faith actions must be thorough and aligned with divine direction to bear the intended fruit.

In contemporary terms, “Belief in Motion” is a call to embody our faith in every aspect of our lives. Whether addressing personal challenges, contributing to community well-being, or advocating for justice and righteousness in the broader world, our actions are the truest expression of our faith. It is through our deeds that our belief becomes a living testimony, impacting lives and shaping the world in alignment with divine will.

As we ponder the lessons from Judges Chapter 1, let us commit to putting our faith into motion, recognizing that faith, when activated by deeds, has the power to transform not only our lives but the world around us.

 Now, here is the question for you to consider before we close today’s message. The Israelites’ varied success in conquering the land was partly attributed to their faith and obedience to God’s commands.

How does the relationship between faith and action in this chapter prompt you to reflect on your own life’s challenges?

Where do we see the interplay of faith and action in your personal endeavours or community efforts?

As we end today, I want to remind you again to come back and listen again next week as I consider the other two topics, namely:

“The Middle Ground Myth: Navigating the Temptations of Compromise”! And “History’s Echo: Unraveling the Cyclical Saga of Human Nature”!

Until we meet again, may you find peace in His presence, joy in His freedom, and love in His embrace. Shalom and blessings to you all.