Pondering Judges (2)

 

“But Manasseh did not take possession of Beth-shean and its villages…so the Canaanites persisted in living in the land…they [Manasseh] put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely.” Judges 1:27 – 28.

 

In Judges 1:27 – 35 we see that, contrary to God’s command, the tribes of Israel did not fully possess their inheritance by driving out the peoples of the land, but rather thought that they could coexist with them. Not only did they think they could coexist with them, but in many instances, such as with Manasseh, they thought they could make use of the inhabitants by forced labor. In other words, they thought that their lives would be better off by using the people of Canaan rather than by obeying God and fully possessing the inheritance which God had promised to them.

 

The result of Israel’s misplaced trust and unbelief was that they not only came to adopt the religions of Canaan, committing idolatry and spiritual adultery, but it was only a matter of time before the people of Canaan regained their military strength and began to turn the tables on Israel, militarily overpowering the Israelites.

 

Since we know that all things written in the Old Testament are written for our instruction (1 Cor. 10:11), what can we learn from this?

 

While I am certain you can identify insights and lessons in response to my question, for there are many, let me state some basics.

 

1.    We are called to live in the Holy Spirit and not rely on the wisdom of this world or the abilities of this world.

2.    God’s ways are not our ways.

3.    We are not called to live in pragmatism, but according to the Word of God in conjunction with the illumination and leading of the Holy Spirit.

4.    We are called to be people of the Spirit and not people of the flesh and natural.

5.    We cannot coexist with the unholy – we are called to be holy as God is holy.

6.    We are foolish to think that we can adapt the ways of this present age to the service of the Kingdom of God.

7.    We must not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship can light have with darkness?

8.    The express purpose of Israel coming to Canaan was to worship God, to serve Him, and to be a light to the nations. When we forget our purpose in God we become self-centered, take the place of God (we think), and find ourselves careening down a slippery slope with increasing velocity.

9.    When we bring the leaven of sin and the world into the Bread of God, the People of God, this leaven will permeate the loaf of Bread if it is not confronted, repented of, and cast out. If the leaven is allowed to remain we will come to a place where we can no longer discern the difference between the holy and the unholy, between the flesh and the Spirit, between the Church and the present evil age.

10. The pragmatic may have short-term benefits, but it is guaranteed to give us long-term pain. Also, once the pragmatic becomes our source of life, it is impossible, without the grace of God and deep repentance, to disengage from that in which we have come to trust.

 

Well now, what is there in my life that is the equivalent of coexisting with the Canaanites? What is the equivalent of putting the Canaanites into forced labor? What is there that I am trusting in other than God? What, or whom, am I looking to as my security in place of God?

 

What about you?

 

What about our churches, ministries, and institutions?

 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting Way.” Psalm 139:23 – 24.

Pondering Judges (1)

 

“Then [the tribe of] Judah said to [the tribe of] Simeon his brother, Come up with me into the territory allotted to me, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you. So Simeon went with him.” Judges 1:3.

 

Isn’t this the way it’s supposed to be? Brothers and sisters helping one another grow in their inheritance in Christ? And if we must have denominations and doctrinal distinctives because of the hardness of our hearts, then let’s remember the context of this passage – tribes helping one another gain their inheritance. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Presbyterians assisted Baptists, and Pentecostals assisted Methodists, and Lutherans gave a hand to Nazarenes in the obtaining of our mutual inheritance in Jesus Christ?

 

“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11 – 12).

 

What am I doing to facilitate this Biblical vision? What are our congregations doing? What are our traditions and denominations doing? What are you doing?

 

I’m reminded of a time when I was a teenager and two churches that I was close to had revival services during the same week. One was a Baptist church and the other was an Assembly of God; both of the pastors were good men; the churches were just a few miles apart. I went to each pastor and said, “Since your churches are having revival services the same week, wouldn’t it be great if each church would pray for the other church?”

 

I was given a pat on the head, told that I was a good boy, and sent on my idealistic way – how naïve to think that Ephesians 4 and John 17 still applied to the Church of Jesus Christ.

 

It is better to try and fail in this than not to try at all. It is better to be the only one in your congregation or denomination or city or town to, by the grace of God, attempt to fulfill the prayer of Jesus Christ that we would all be one, as the Father and Son are one (John 17), than to turn your back on the prayer of the Son.