Judges

Judges 1: The LORD keeps His promise

Begin in prayer

Before we follow Israel into the land after Joshua's death, let us ask the LORD to teach us trust. His promised help calls for obedience, so ask Him to expose the sins we excuse and show us Christ.

made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it to his offspring, and have performed your words; for you are righteous.

Nehemiah 9:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us Your faithfulness when human leaders die. Help us see Jesus and obey Your word with trusting hearts. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

After Joshua dies, Israel asks the LORD which tribe should fight first, and He sends Judah with a promise of victory. Judah and Simeon defeat their enemies, and the defeated Adoni-Bezek recognizes God's repayment for his own cruelty. Judah takes Jerusalem and fights through the southern land, where Caleb receives Hebron and gives Achsah springs for her land. God also helps the house of Joseph take Bethel, and they spare the man who shows them its entrance. Yet many tribes leave Canaanites among them, sometimes putting them to forced labor, while the Amorites force Dan into the hills.

As you read Judges 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD keeps His promise, and His people must trust and obey Him.

Joshua has died, yet the LORD still speaks and gives victories. Judah and Simeon here are tribes, descended from the brothers whose names they bear. Their land had been assigned, and they still had to take possession of its towns. God had commanded this judgment because of Canaan's wickedness, rather than Israel's goodness (Deuteronomy 9 verses 4 and 5). The repeated failure to drive the inhabitants out shows Israel leaving God's command unfinished. Even when Israel grows strong, forced labor takes the place of complete obedience. The trouble comes from Israel's failure, while God's promised help remains trustworthy.

How does Judges 1 show us that the LORD keeps His promise, and His people must trust and obey Him?

The LORD gives victory after Joshua dies.

Israel asks which tribe should lead, and God chooses Judah. Simeon joins Judah, and the LORD delivers their enemies into their hands (verses 1 to 4). The death of their leader has not taken away the God who gave them the land.

God's gifts call for trust and obedience.

Caleb receives Hebron as Moses had said, and Othniel takes Debir. Achsah asks her father for springs, because her southern land needs water (verses 12 to 15). God's promise gives them reason to trust Him, take the towns and settle the land He has given.

Israel leaves the LORD's command unfinished.

Judah could not drive out the valley's inhabitants because they had iron chariots (verse 19). Other tribes also fail to drive out the inhabitants. When Israel gains strength, it puts Canaanites to forced labor instead (verse 28). Their strength has increased, yet their obedience still falls short.

Memorise

Yahweh said, “Judah shall go up. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.”

Judges 1:2

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what disobedience am I excusing instead of bringing it to Jesus?

Joshua is dead, and the LORD says, “I have delivered the land into his hand.” God's faithfulness outlives His servants. Yet Israel's growing strength does not make the people faithful. They leave the work unfinished, and sin remains among them.

We also break God's commands, and stronger efforts cannot erase our guilt. Jesus obeyed His Father through His whole life and through death on the cross. There He carried the sins of His people and suffered the judgment their disobedience deserved. He rose victorious over death. His completed sacrifice is enough to bring believers to God.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Bring Him the disobedience you have been defending. He grants forgiveness to all who rely on Him. Human leaders pass away, yet the living Savior remains faithful.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's faithfulness gives sinners reason to come to Jesus for mercy. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Parents, you may want to explain verses 6 and 7 in your own words, where Adoni-Bezek says God has repaid him.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for keeping His word when His servants die, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Lord God, thank You that Your promises remain true after human leaders die. Please forgive our excuses and turn our hearts toward Jesus. Teach us to trust His saving work and obey Your word. Help our family face hard duties with faith in You. Amen.