Series Summary:

WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US? What we are fighting for? These questions guide our lives and the lives of generations. The Book of Judges shows us that when we are unwilling to fight as God commanded, compromise to get along, fight with the wrong people, and fight for lesser things, then we descend into tribalism and chaos. We end up with the disaster of everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Then we find ourselves crying out again…WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Starter

Tell about a time in your life when you had to let the judge (authority) decide?

Pray

Study Questions

The Lord promised the land of Canaan to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. The people of Canaan were so wicked and had defiled the land so badly the Lord said they had to get out. God tells the Israelites to, divide the Land by lot, drive out inhabitants, not to make treaties or covenants, destroy idols and worship sites, not intermarry, not adopt Canaanite customs, and worship only at the chosen place, setting yourselves and the land apart as holy.

It is now time for the people of God to take the land. However, The Angel of the Lord confronts them with the reality of their disobedience, “But you have not obeyed Me. What is this you have done?” “The Lord’s anger burned” so He “raised up judges”.

The people abandon the Lord again and again and questions are raised, “Hasn’t the Lord commanded you?“ Am I not sending you?” The people have peace in their idolatry, but it became a snare. Now, is it better for you? How about you practice real repentance? Will you let the Judge decide?

Reminder: When reading a narrative part of the bible, especially the book of judges, God is often giving a description of what happened not necessarily a prescription of what He ideally wanted or wants us to do now.

READ: Judges 10:18-11:1, Matthew 1:3-6

  1. What do these verses teach us about people and circumstances God may chose to use?
    1. Why would He chose to use those people?
    2. How can this encourage us?

READ: Judges 11:2-3, Matthew 10:34-39, Luke 14:26-28

  1. What do these verses tell us we should be ready for if we are to be used by the Lord?

    1. Why do you think suffering and conflict are a constant narrative in the Lord’s story?
    2. How does this go against the modern concepts of what it will look like for us if we are trying to follow the Lord?

  2. Why do people, even family, tend to get so upset with God using people they deem unworthy?

  3. What major mistake does Jephthah make when he leaves home?

    1. How is this still often a major and costly mistake people make?

  4. What do the following verses help us to see about who we chose to travel with in life?

    READ: Psalm 1:1-2, 26:4-5, Proverbs 13:20, 12:26, 14:7, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 15:33

  5. What common reasons do people who claim to believe in Yahweh use to join with people who do not know, believe, or care about His law (lawless)?

READ: Judges 11:4-11

  1. What cycle is repeated here that we see in Judges?
    1. How is this common to the human condition?