Joel M Bradshaw

1After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” 2The LORD said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.” –Judges 1

STAGE ONE: TRUST ISSUES (1:3-20)

Judah and Simeon illustrate obedience, but not fully trust. They obey but they have to hedge their bets. And while they have the most success, they still are not fully faithful. Caleb stands out here as the faithful one, and he took on the dreaded Anakites!

STAGE TWO: COEXISTENCE (1:21-30)

Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Zebulun didn’t drive out the nations, but instead decided to live alongside them or allow them to stay.

STAGE THREE: HOUSEGUESTS (1:31-33)

Asher and Naphtali not only didn’t drive the enemy out, but lived among them. They were merely allowed to stay there.

STAGE FOUR: PRISONERS (1:34-36)

The tribe of Dan represents the utmost of failure. They not only didn’t defeat the enemy, but were instead imprisoned by them. They were only allowed to live where the enemy decreed.

1. Disobedience breeds failure. Don’t disobey God and expect life to work out for you.
2. When life is uncertain and difficult, focus on obedience to God’s Word,
3. Moral decay is a slippery slope. Revisit the four stages. What you tolerate in your own life starts you sliding down the slope. Every one of my friends in recovery from a hurt, habit, or hangup has a story to tell about each of those stages!

I have a lot to ponder this morning regarding my own walk. I invite you to do so as well. The book of Judges is perfect for that.–JMB