There isn't and They Didn't - (Judges Part 1)

Introduction

• The book of Judges is a sobering account of Israel's failure to fully obey God's commands after entering the Promised Land.
• The recurring themes: spiritual decline, disobedience, and God's enduring mercy despite Israel’s failure.
• The message centers on Israel's incomplete obedience and its devastating consequences, yet offers lessons for the modern believer.

1) Their Leader Was Absent

Judges 1:1

"Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass..."

• The absence of Joshua: Israel had lost its strong and faithful leader.
  • Under Joshua, the people followed God wholeheartedly, but leadership matters. Without him, the people faltered.
  • Application: Leadership provides vision, stability, and accountability. In our lives, without Christ as our ultimate leader, we are prone to wander.
• Challenge: Who is leading your life? Are you following God's Word, or are you aimlessly drifting?

2) Their Lacking Was Obvious

Judges 1:27-28

"Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean...but the Canaanites would dwell in that land."

• Incomplete obedience:
  • Israel failed to fully drive out the Canaanites, as commanded by God. They allowed compromise to creep in.
  • This disobedience led to idolatry and moral decay.
• Consequences of disobedience:
  • The Canaanites became a snare (Judges 2:2-3).
  • Small compromises lead to great downfalls.
  • Application: Where in your life have you allowed spiritual compromise? Are you tolerating sin or neglecting areas God has called you to address?

3) The Lesson Was Lasting

Judges 2:10

"And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel."

• A forgotten generation:
  • Without proper teaching and passing down of faith, an entire generation grew up ignorant of God.
  • Israel's disobedience had generational consequences.
• God's mercy and judgment:
  • Though Israel sinned, God raised up judges to deliver them (Judges 2:16). Yet, the cycle of sin continued.
  • Application: Are you faithfully teaching and discipling the next generation? What legacy of faith are you leaving?

Conclusion

• "There Isn't and They Didn't" reflects Israel's lack of leadership, obedience, and spiritual faithfulness.
• Today, the same lessons apply:
  1. Without strong leadership, we falter.
  2. Compromise in our spiritual walk leads to destruction.
  3. Failing to pass down faith results in spiritual decline.
• Challenge: Examine your heart. Are you fully obeying God, following His leadership, and preparing the next generation to know Him?

A Ministry of Ashland St. Baptist Church

https://www.ashlandstreetbaptist.com/