Judges 1:16-26 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Judges 1:16-26. Let’s go!
Judges 1:16-18 (NIV)
16 The descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up from the City of Palms with the men of Judah to live among the people of the Desert of Judah in the Negev near Arad.
17 Then the men of Judah went with the Simeonites their brothers and attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and they totally destroyed the city. Therefore it was called Hormah [which means Destruction].
18 The men of Judah also took Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron–each city with its territory.
On verses 16-18: Let’s address the elephant in the room: How could God endorse the destruction by Israel of other nations? Skeptics may object, “Isn’t this just another example of how the Christian God is a cruel, bigoted, and racist, choosing one nation while destroying other nations?” Keep in mind what the Bible teaches: that God is a perfect, just and holy God who cannot stand wickedness, evil and injustice. For centuries God had tolerated the evil, idolatrous and immoral behaviour of the nations that occupied the Promised Land. Despite giving these nations centuries to repent, these nations deliberately sinned against God over and over again without repenting and had tested God’s patience long enough. After waiting a long period of time for these nations to turn to Him but to no avail, God finally chose to punish them for their sin, ousting them out of the Promised Land. Later on, when the Israelites took over the Promised Land and then devolved into idolatry and persistent rebellion against God, God treated the Israelites the same way, ousting them out of the land.
What can we learn from this? God patiently waits for us to repent of our pride and others sins and to turn to Him. But He will not wait forever. We need to turn to God while we still can.
Judges 1:19 (NIV)
19 The LORD was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had iron chariots.
On verse 19: These verses describe more of Judah’s successes in conquering territory in the Promised Land. Notice in verse 19 that the tribe of Judah was successful in the mountains (“the hill country”), but they were not so successful in the valley (“the plains”). The reason is “because they [their enemies] had iron chariots” (v19). In other words, the tribe of Judah became intimidated when they saw the weapons that their enemies were using. They became more focused on the obstacle in front of them than on the God who could help them overcome the obstacle.
Similarly, you and I will experience times on the mountaintop with God and times in the valley. The key to being victorious in the valley is to keep the mountaintop in view even while you’re in the valley. How? By remembering what you saw on the mountaintop and still going to the mountain often to draw near to God. When you do this, you won’t be so intimidated by the iron chariots you’re facing. For you know that One who is with you is greater than the chariots that are confronting you. Like Psalm 20 you can say, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”
Judges 1:20-26 (NIV)
20 As Moses had promised, Hebron was given to Caleb, who drove from it the three sons of Anak.
21 The Benjamites, however, failed to dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the Benjamites.
22 Now the house of Joseph attacked Bethel, and the LORD was with them.
23 When they sent men to spy out Bethel (formerly called Luz),
24 the spies saw a man coming out of the city and they said to him, “Show us how to get into the city and we will see that you are treated well.”
25 So he showed them, and they put the city to the sword but spared the man and his whole family.
26 He then went to the land of the Hittites, where he built a city and called it Luz, which is its name to this day.
On verses 20-26: One of the patterns you’ll find in chapter 1 is various tribes keeping their promise. In verse 3 the tribe of Judah promised to go with the tribe of Simeon, and in verse 17 that’s exactly what Judah does, helping Simeon to victory. Moses had earlier promised the region of Hebron to Caleb, and in verse 20, the Israelites make good on Moses’ promise by giving Hebron to Caleb. In verse 24, the tribe of Joseph promises safety to a man that showed them how to get to Luz, and while conquering Luz Joseph spares the man and his family.
What can we learn from this? Be a person who keeps their word. If you make a promise, be sure to keep it.
Father, thank You for the incredible patience You show all of us. You even sacrificed Your own Son Jesus so that we would not have to bear Your wrath for our sin. You are not a cruel, wicked God but perfectly just, merciful and patient. Thank You that when I’m in the valley I can still meet with You on the mountain. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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