Judges

This sermon goes over what may be the most vile event recorded in the pages of Scripture. It’s recorded to reveal to us the human heart apart from submission to a righteous King. It points us forward to our need of rescue by the flawless King Jesus. It’s a disturbing read, but in many ways, describes the times we live in so well.

What does society look like when we make the rules? Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. This was the state in the time of the judges and it is more and more like our society today. When we do what is right in our own eyes religion is arbitrary and morality is self-serving. What we need, and what the world needs is a righteous King, a righteous ruler. What we need is Jesus Christ. The state of…

People in Scripture, like us, are full of misconceptions. In this account we see that Samson has a misconception concerning his strength. Like us, he thinks himself strong enough to stay in temptation and not flee to hope and trust in God. We’re strong when we acknowledge our weakness and come to Christ humbly and in dependence on him.

Samson, privileged from birth, set apart by God, granted the power of the Spirit, strong in physical power, but weak in faith and a man of moral failing. Samson is a fitting image of Israel, God’s chosen people that continue to do what is right in their own eyes.This narrative shows us a God who does not share his glory with another. God’s people are called to be separate. Separate from the world and not to be unequally yoked to…

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After the success of Gideon’s victory over the Midianites by the grace and working of God, Gideon’s life ends in turmoil. Rather than humility, God’s grace in Gideon’s life leads him to pride, to assume the role of the king and exact revenge on those who defy him. Following Gideon’s death, Gideon’s son Abimelech then sends Israel into further turmoil until God judges him for his sinful and underhanded ways.

As the people of Israel again do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, the Lord prepares them for deliverance. He sends his prophet to call them to repentance and obedience, he tears down their idols, and then he reduces their army to practically nothing so that he and he alone would receive all the glory and honor. There is much for us to learn here from God’s actions and Gideon’s flawed faith.

We see another Judges “cycle” where God delivers his people in an amazing and surprising way. In this story of twists and turns the result is that God is praised and worshiped. We see in this text, his power to deliver and his might and sovereign hand orchestrating this deliverance years in advance.

The first two Judges begin to describe the Judges “cycle.” The people forget God, turn to idols, God sends an oppressor, the people cry out to the Lord, and God raises a deliverer who gives rest for a time. Then the people forget God again.From Othniel and Ehud, we can learn how we can prevent a similar cycle to happening in our own lives. We also are encouraged that our deliverer, the Lord Jesus Christ, brings total deliverance. And unlike…

These verses summarize the time period of the Judges. It describes a disobedient people living in an idolatrous and pluralistic land. They have failed to pass on the faith to the next generation and they have failed to put out the idols that surround them. Interestingly, we living in similar times. Can you see the influence of the culture on your Christianity? Do you bring every aspect of your life under the lordship of Jesus Christ? May our hearts yearn…

Continuing the conquest of Canaan, the Israelites partial obey God. They were half-hearted in their obedience. God calls this half-hearted obedience…disobedience. How are we like these Israelites? When do we settle and not obey God courageously and boldly? When do we say “I can’t” when God hears us say “I won’t.” The key to pressing on in obedience and service is to trust in God, in his strength, in his power to save, power to forgive, and that he accepts…