Sunday: Israel Fights the Canaanites: Judges 1:1-26
After the death of Joshua, the nation did not function as one great army. Individual tribes fought to claim their inheritance, and often the tribes worked together; but something was definitely lost in the transition. God’s people must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
Monday: Driving Out the Canaanites: Judges 1:27-36
What began with conquest soon became compromise as the defeated tribes gave in to the enemy. If we do not defeat the enemy completely, the enemy will eventually defeat us. Israel soon learned their ways and worshiped their gods, and the Lord had to chasten His people to bring them back. They forgot the warnings of Moses and Joshua. (Deuteronomy 7; Joshua 23)
Tuesday: Angel Rebukes Israel: Judges 2:1-15
The angel of the Lord rebuked the Israelites for making covenants with the people in the land and for not breaking down their altars. Our failure to seek God earnestly and to follow His righteous ways will cause Him to withdraw His help, power, and protection from our lives. (Deuteronomy 12:3; 30:16; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)
Wednesday: The Lord Raises Up Judges: Judges 2:16-21
The judges served as military and tribal leaders in a time when Israel was undergoing spiritual, social and moral decline. This history illustrates that the natural direction of human nature since the fall is downward. The spiritual vitality of an individual or group of believers will diminish unless spiritual renewal occurs through repentance, prayer, and recommitment. (1 Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 5:6; Jude 1:20)
Thursday: Israel Tested: Judges 2:22-3:6
Israel was tested by their co-existence with the Canaanite people. Israel’s syncretism of Canaanite culture through intermarriage nearly destroyed their identity as a distinct people of God. The book of Judges demonstrates the disastrous effects of Israel’s compromise. (Exodus 34:15-16; Deuteronomy 7:3-4; Joshua 23:12-13)
Friday: Othniel’s Deliverance: Judges 3:7-11
The judges of Israel were supernaturally empowered by God’s Spirit. Through this spiritual enabling, they received the power and wisdom needed to perform extraordinary acts of deliverance for God and Israel.
Saturday: Ehud’s Deliverance: Judges 3:12-31
Ehud was from Benjamin, the smallest tribe. God can use the great or the small to gain the victory, since the power is from Him anyway. Men are simply the agents of deliverance. (Luke 14:11; Philippians 4:13)