4th Week April 2012 Adult Sunday School Lesson

Judges Chapter 1

The children of Israel find themselves for the first time without a leader that is either Moses, or someone associated with the exodus from Egypt. Moses is dead and now so is Joshua. We see that God is still with them and communicating with them. He is still instructing them to go and take the land that he promised them. He gave them specific instructions on what to do when they possessed a territory. We here that some of the tribes obeyed the commandments and others didn't. This would be a thorn in the side of Israel that continues to this day.

The tribes of Simeon and Judah go first to possess the land that God had promised them.They initially have great victory and then they run into Adoni-bezek. This was a king of some notoriety who had man other kings bow before him. After the the two tribes subdue him, they cut off his thumbs and big toes, rendering him unable to fight with a sword, or wrestle successfully with another man. This was a harsh time and he states that he is rewarded for the very things he did to other kings before him. This is truly and example of living by the sword and dying by the sword.

The tribes continue with great success burning the city that would some day be their capitol in Jerusalem. Then we come to one of the 'greats' of the leaders of Israel. Caleb makes a vow to marry off his daughter to whom ever can take Kirjath-sepher. This in part is a how we should view our Christian lives. We should strive the harder to conquer sin and spiritual wickedness because of the wonderful reward that awaits us in Heaven.

Caleb's daughter has favor with him and asks for a choice piece of land. I think pointing to the fact that our other halves truly are our better haves at times. More seriously though, we may want to tell someone about the joys of salvation and discover that someone dear to us may have a special favor with that person that can help convince them of the need of salvation. God showed favor to the Israelites, to Jacob, and to David over his brothers and so on. When he sent his son to die for our sins, he show special favor to us all.

Now comes the settlement of the Kenites. These were not all of the Kenite people, but the descendants of Moses' father in law. They followed Moses and the Children of Israel out of Egypt into the wilderness. Exodus 18 records Jethro's feelings toward Israel, their God and gives Moses some very sound advise. They go into the land of Canaan and take a portion in some of the better settled land of Canaan. It pays to be on God's side, many times you will get the overflowing of blessings he gives to others.

Later, the victories of Judah and Simeon fall a little short. We know because of the issues the Israelites have with the Philistines that they did not utterly clear out all of the coastal cities. Others were not defeated because of 'chariots of iron'. We know that God was able to deliver them out of Egypt and their army, past the walls of Jericho and so on. They fell short here, and it was not God's fault.

In next weeks lesson we'll try and finish the 1st chapter of Judges.