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THE TIME OF THE JUDGES (II)
MONDAY, JANUARY 2
Judges 1:22-36

Deuteronomy 11:22-32

 

“For if ye shall diligently keep
all these commandments

which I command…”

 

THE TIME OF THE JUDGES (II)
 
Each generation chooses its path, and this one chose to depart from the faith and path of its fathers. They were to be distinguished by their holiness and separation, and through this, their light was to shine among men to the glory of God. Their responsibility was to continue in obedience to God, His Word and His will even after the death of Joshua and the elders. They were to complete the conquest, and live in the land according to God’s will, but instead they chose to walk by sight and not by faith.
 
“And it came to pass, when Israel was strong…” (Judg 1:28). This verse reflects the start of their departure! They departed from their commission, they had a change of mind and purpose, and they trusted in their own wisdom and thoughts, neglecting clear instructions given by God. Circumstance, temporal advantage, and current benefit reigned supreme. Their minds became authority, and they did not follow God’s Word. The command to eradicate the Canaanites was one that would ensure their separateness and enhance their holiness. It had spiritual benefits; it would deliver them from the temptations of the Canaanite ways. They did not look at it from the spiritual perspective; they did not consider that corrupt communications corrupt good morals (1 Cor 15:33). They chose compromise instead of separation. At the time, God enabled them to separate, giving them strength, but they opted to compromise. They departed from God’s Word and followed their minds, they rejected God’s plan and set up a different path for themselves. They mistakenly equated their military strength with spiritual fortitude! The gains we make in whatever area should never make us self-reliant or make us neglect our spiritual life.
 
There is no temporal gain that is worth the spiritual ruin that disobedience to God’s Word and Will brings. Our desire must always be to know God’s Word and to walk in obedience to His revealed Will.
 
THOUGHT: (Read Proverbs 3:5.)

PRAYER: (Use Psalm 86:11.)

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