Judges 1

Prayer Requests?

Why this study?

Sermon at Unite

You have time, I’m here already!

Not meant to take you away from SS, FGs, etc.

Very light homework, mostly just want to spend time with you!!!

Why study Judges?

Interesting!

Relevant

Profitable

2 Timothy 3:16-17—All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Explain Inductive Bible Study

Three Types of Questions:

Observation--what the text says

Interpretation--what the text means

Application--how we respond to the text

Read Judges 1:1-7

Who is comfortable reading?

Words you can’t pronounce—make it up or just say the first letter

Observation Questions

When is the story of Judges beginning (1)? Where does that place us in the biblical timeline?

What does the Lord promise to His people (2)?

Did the Lord keep His promise? (4)

What do you make of the story of Adoni-Bezek (5-7)?

Read Judges 1:8-21

How successful is the tribe of Judah initially in their conquest of the land (8-20)?

Do you know anything about the three cities Judah captured in v. 18? [Philistine cities]

How was Israel able to do this (19)?

Why were they unable to complete their assignment? (20)

How successful were they ultimately? (21)

Read Judges 1:22-26

How successful are the tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) in the conquest of their territory?

How were they able to do this? (22, and 24-25)

Read Judges 1:27-36

What is the recurring theme in this section?

What halfway measure did these tribes adopt instead of driving the nations out? [forced labor]

Interpretation Questions

Why did the Lord want Israel to drive the nations out?

Read Deuteronomy 20:16-18

God is a holy judge, and He has the right to use means (His people) to bring about judgment on wicked nations

God’s people are holy (set apart), and He wants them to be live differently from the wicked nations around them

God knew that these nations would draw His people away into wickedness and idolatry (something the book of Judges illustrates)

If God was with His people, why were chariots of iron too hard for them to overcome? (19)

Application Questions

Do commands about “driving out the nations” apply to us today? Why or why not?

They don’t apply directly because God’s people are no longer a nation with territorial borders but the church!

But they do illustrate two things:

The need to purge sin individually (Colossians 3:5-8)

The need to purge sin corporately (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)

What can we learn from Israel’s incomplete obedience?

Next week: Judges 2