Sunday is the hardest day for me to blog. My day begins early and ends late after youth and choir practice. And then there is 5 chapters to read and blog about. The reading isn't difficult particularly when you get to books like Judges that are filled with stories of heroes and heroines. Having whined enough, here are my daily ramblings:
The last chapter of Joshua marks a turning point in this new nation called Israel, Joshua is 110 years old and he, like his mentor Moses, reminds the people of all that God has done for them. The are about to live in cities that they did not build and eat of vineyards that they did not plant. In light of all the blessings that they enjoy can there be anything more natural than to SERVE THE LORD was has given blessing abundantly. Choose, says Joshua. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord! Remember as you decide for you and yours, our God is a jealous God, don't enter into this relationship half-heartedly......God demands that those who serve him to be fully devoted. Don't serve part time. Don't give an oath that you cannot keep. Doesn't this remind you of the words in the book of James, be either hot or cold because if you are luke warm, God will spew from his mouth. That will be the prophetic relationship between God and his chosen people. They seem unable to commit themselves in their service to God. The vacillate between the world and righteousness. As a result, there is great suffering and great loss of life. Judges speaks of some of this loss.
After Joshua and the elders of his generation die, Israel enters into a time of uncertainty. They have no king, no central government. They are a loosely defined group of tribes who answer to God and to the laws that he handed down through Moses at Mt. Sinai. The period of the Judges is about 340 years. It is marked by seasons of captivity and deprivation and by seasons of obedience which are marked by peace and prosperity. During those seasons of blessing, the people of Israel are being led by Judges who have been raised up by God in response to the prayers of the people who are suffering much like Israel did in Egypt. The difference is that they are now suffering at the hands of the Canaanites, the Amorites and the people that they failed to push out of Israel during the time that God led them into battle.
As Israel wavers during this time between depravity and righteousness we see the worst of men and the best of God. These stories are the result of Israel having settled for less than what God had desired for them. Their disobedience in occupying the land left sin in their midst and overtime the sin crawled right into their homes and became part of them. The false Gods of the pagan nations became accepted throughout Israel and God allowed these pagan nations to become instruments of correction. They became a thorn in the flesh of God's chosen people.
In Judges 2 we see Israel confronted by the Angel of the Lord and they recognize their sin. They are remorseful, they weep bitter tears, they offer sacrifices to God in their sorrow and their remorse; but they do not drive the sin from their lands. God says that the sin (false gods and disobedience to his rule and way) will become a snare to Israel and indeed it does. The Canaanites and Amorites become a strong people again and impose their will on the 12 tribes. God in his mercy hears the cries of his people and he sends a deliverer. 1st it is Othniel, a descendent of Caleb. Then it is Ehud, a left handed fellow that ends the life of their oppressor. Then it is Shamgar. Then it is Deborah. Each time a Judge leads Israel to victory, there is a season of thanksgiving and peace but then the next generation backslides and repeats the failures of those that refused to be obedient and sin again permeates the tribes. God responds by allowing the pagan people to inflict his wrath upon Israel. it is a cycle that could be easily broken if only Israel would keep their covenant and honor God with their heart, soul,mind and strength. They seemingly cannot.
These stories ought to cause us to reflect upon our own homes, our own communities and lives. is there sin that we ought to rid ourselves of but we do not, perhaps because it would be politically incorrect? We know that gambling does not honor God, but our governments have become so dependent upon the sin taxes and revenues that come from legalized gambling, alcohol and tobacco that we cannot say know. Not far from where I live is a legal business that makes 100% of its revenue by selling pornography. It is legal but that doesn't make it moral or Godly. There is sin in our camp. how long before we pay a price greater than we can afford because we lack the moral courage to rid the community of that which can and will destroy it.
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