Thoughts on Judges 1

Well, here I am again. It’s been so long since I’ve posted anything here (other than a new book review by a guest blogger), I’ve had a difficult time deciding when and how to get back at it. Not because I have nothing to write; I have too much!

So here’s a good place to ease back into regular writing again. We started reading Judges together at Oak Tree Church this week in our S.O.A.P. reading plan. In March and April (and the first week of May) we’ll read through Judges and 1 & 2 Kings.

Like I’ve done with Jeremiah and our “Listen” series in the past, I’ll write observations from my daily readings and post them a day or two later. Everyone is welcome to join in the discussion.

Thoughts on Judges 1

After Joshua died, the Israelites asked the LORD, “Who should lead the invasion against the Canaanites and launch the attack?” Judges 1:1 NET

Joshua was Moses’ apprentice and the natural successor to lead Israel. Judges begins in confusion because Joshua apparently did not train someone up to replace himself. Every leader needs to actively work on replacing himself. This is especially true the more people he leads. Fortunately, the Israelites knew enough to ask God for guidance instead of making it up on their own.

Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings, with thumbs and big toes cut off, used to lick up food scraps under my table. God has repaid me for what I did to them.” They brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. Judges 1:7 NET

When Christians are doing what God wants us to do, even unbelievers cannot mistake God’s hand at work in our lives. (Even if Adoni-Bezek was referring to his own god instead of YHVH, the principle holds true. He recognized divine intervention.)

What did you see in these verses? What was important to you in Judges 1 that I did not see?