
Today we begin a new teaching series in the book of Judges. Judges takes us to a lawless time filled with murder and massacre, immorality and unfaithfulness. It is the Bible book that makes ‘Game of Thrones’ look tame by comparison. It is the story of some of the Bible’s most familiar “heroes”: Samson, Gideon, Deborah. It tells of how Israel’s “judges” saved the people over and over again from the cruel oppression of the nations around them. Yet as it unfolds these “heroes” become increasingly flawed and failing. They do many appalling things, and their efforts bring about less and less good. Really, they are hardly heroes at all.
So as we read it, we might find ourselves asking: What in the world is this doing in the Bible? And the answer is crucial - this book is not primarily about flawed heroes but about our flawless God. It is about the God of mercy and long-suffering, who continually works in and through and for his people; and who does so despite his people’s constant resistance to his purposes, both then and now. Ultimately it points us to the only hero who can truly save us and that is Jesus Christ.
Message Points:
- The Age In Which The Action Happens
- The Advances That Led to Blessing
- The Attitudes That Led to Reversal
Application Questions & Response:
- Can you think of times in your life when you have been brave because of your faith? What gave you that courage?
- Why is compromise with the attitudes and behaviour of our society always so dangerous for the church?
- What are the issues that you face today that cause you the greatest struggle in terms of holding to the truth of God’s Word? Ask God for renewed courage to stand firm in His truth.