"Given"(Judges 1:1-7)

Judges 1:1-7

 

As the leader of the Israelites, Moses appointed Joshua to be his successor after they crossed the River Jordan.  Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness for 40 years, but Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land and could only see it beyond the River Jordan.

 

Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”

Deuteronomy 34:4

 

Moses was not allowed to enter, and Joshua led the children of Israel into the promised land instead. This was not because Moses was less of a leader than Joshua. We know Moses as very special to God and the greatest prophet.

 

'Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, ' 

Deuteronomy 34:10

 

 Joshua was Moses’ successor so that the work God had started with Moses would be continued through Joshua in the way God wanted it to be done.  Both Moses and Joshua led the children of Israel to serve and love God.

 

'For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. '

Deuteronomy 30:16

 

Although Moses and the children of Israel had failed God, God never abandoned them. Moses learned through his mistakes that he had to serve God completely.  Moses learned that his role was to led the people to God's love. This is what a leader is in the biblical sense. Moses started off his leadership with excuses on why he should not be the leader. For God it did not matter that Moses was slow to speak or eloquent. God wanted Moses to lead them to know and love who God was.

 

Joshua was able to lead the Israelites into success and conquered enemies, but this was not because Joshua was a good leader. Joshua understood that victories came from God. Joshua won battles because he asked God for the victories and God gave them.

 

These days Christians feel that adults must be responsible for their lives. A responsible adult has the resources and strength to work at their success. Yet, Jesus tells something very different.

 

'Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. '

Matthew 18:3-4

 

The adult in this case is not a physically grown person, but that person who is arrogant and does not see a need for God. Jesus clearly tells us that a person who does not believe they need God is someone who cannot enter the heaven. The people who will enter heaven are the people like children who constantly seek God and ask what they should do or ask for His gifts.

 

We see the Israelites being humble like Children and asking God for His guidance and blessings.

 

'After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?” '

Judges 1:1

 

Today, we still need to seek God's direction and love. We cannot do things in our own strength; we need to rely on God like children and put God first in our decisions. However, we do need to be responsible.

 

'The Lord answered, “Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands.” '

Judges 1:2

 

Although God gives Israel the victory, Judah still needs to go and claim that victory through battle. Yes, we God to God in all things, but we still need to act and be responsible for the church. This responsibility is not selfish or self glorifying, but it is the responsibility of looking out for others, our love for God and building up the church.

 

Because of God's love, Moses could relinquish his responsibilities to Joshua and allow someone else to complete God's work. The Israelites were able to cross the Jordan because of God's love and mercy and not because of anything they had done. We do have work to do, but it is God who allows us to do the work and it is God who completes the work.

 

'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 1:7

 

We read here, that God punished Adoni-Bezek for his arrogance. This was a mighty king who had defeated seventy other kings, and God wanted to teach the children of Israel that God was in charge and it was God who defeated this might king.

 

In our lives, we must ask God for direction. God wants us to have a genuine relationship with Him. Asking for trivial things will probably not result in great prayers, revelations or answers, but God does want to be in control of our lives. The truth is that we can make great plans, but it is God who will allow these plans to manifest or give us different direction all together.