Reflections from Judges: Chapter 1

Reflections from Judges Chapter 1:

Choosing God over Self

In January 2020, I started studying the whole Bible in Under 2 years YouVersion plan with a small group of awesome ladies. As we read through the book of Judges, I was captivated by how low the Israelites degraded themselves in sin. Despite their disobedience, God continued to pour His grace and mercy on them. He appointed Judges to deliver them from the consequences of their own sins. I also noticed many similarities between the Israelites and us when we choose self over God.

As we studied, I documented my reflections from the book of Judges within the YouVersion Bible plan, and I decided to share them with you. Please note that this is not an in-depth Bible study or commentary on the book of Judges. I intend to encourage us to reflect on the lives of the Israelites during the dispensation of the Judges and apply the Scriptures to our daily Christian walk by choosing God over ourselves.

So, join me as we study, meditate and apply the lessons from the book of Judges to our daily Christian walk.

Reflections from Judges Chapter 1

Scripture

Read Judges Chapter 1

“But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land.” Judges 1:27 NIV

Observation

After Joshua died, God instructed the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites in the land He had promised to give them and possess the land for themselves. The Canaanites were idol worshippers. Therefore, God did not want His children to be influenced by their religious practices. As a whole, the Israelites did not fully obey God’s command. They demonstrated varying degrees of half-hearted obedience to disobedience by failing to drive out the Canaanites and inhabit the Promised Land completely. They did not put their trust in the Lord to fight and win possession of the land.

Application

God’s instructions to the Israelites to completely drive out and destroy the Canaanites and to yield to Him in total obedience reflects God’s instructions and directions to us to quit doing the things that He knows are destructive to us and to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Through His Word, God instructs us to rid ourselves of/drive out ;

Self-pity (Romans 8:7)
Pride (Romans 12:16)
Anxious thoughts (Philippians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Anger (Psalm 37:8; Ephesians 4:31)
Unforgiveness and resentment (Colossians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:24)
Worldly distractions (Colossians 3:2) etc

Once we engage with Him in obedience and gear up for battle, He Himself will lead us into the battle, fight for us with His own Heavenly resources and win the victory for us. As a matter of truth, the victory is already ours In Christ. Our responsibility is to believe and show up in faith, ready to battle, and God shows off through us as He empowers us through the Holy Spirit. THEN ALL GOES WELL WITH US!!!

If we choose to live with our Canaanites by holding on to our ways, we choose to exist as defeated, powerless Christians, struggling to exist or worse, living as slaves in the Promised Land.

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13 NIV

Questions for Reflection

Are you living among spiritual or emotional Canaanites?
If so, what practical steps can you take to drive them out?

Prayer

I pray that we will not harden our hearts when God’s Word corrects us about these habits that are displeasing to Him. I pray that we will humble ourselves by the power of the Holy Spirit, allow Him to help us to put off ALL disobedience, and embrace obedience in every area of our lives in Jesus’ name, amen!

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Except where indicated, Scriptures are taken from the NIV.