Judges Delivered the Goods of God

Lesson Text: Judges_2:7-23 March 22, 2009

I. Introduction
A. Stupid Criminals
1. We do stupid things – telling a parent that a spanking didn’t hurt
2. The Children of Israel did stupid things
B. God loves us even when we do stupid things and mess up
1. 2 Peter 3:8 ESV But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the
Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2. God is more reliable that UPS when the goods are needed
3. James 1:17 ESV Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or
shadow due to change.
4. God would send Israel a deliverer, a Judge
5. Judge after Judge was sent
6. John 3:16-17
C. Read Judges 2:7-23
II.A Generation Knew Not God
A. Judges begin after the Death of Joshua
1. Read Judges 1:7; 10.
2. Madison church of Christ
B. Israel was faithful all of the years of Joshua.
1. Israel was to occupy the land and drive out the native people
2. They did not completely obey; Exo_23:32-33; Exo_34:12-13; Exo_34:15-
16; Exo_34:13;Deu_7:2-3; Deu_7:5;
3. They were to make No Covenant with other people
4. Completely drive out the people
5. Destroy all of their altars
6. Absolutely no intermarriage; Deuteronomy 7:4 ESV for they would turn
away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of
the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.
7. 2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what
partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has
light with darkness?
8. 1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."
C. Why doesn't man just listen to God.
1. Bribe a kid with a reward, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
 2. Exodus 19:5 ESV Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and
keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples,
for all the earth is mine;
3. God knows best; Judges 3:4-6
4. Read Judges_2:1-4
D. When Joshua died; A generation knew not God
1. We are one generation from apostasy.
2. Parents had not removed all temptations.
3. Apparently did not teach children as they should; Read Deut. 6:6-9
4. Began to worship Canaanite gods; masc. &feminine (Baals & the Asheroth)
E. It is not good to make God angry.
1. If momma isn't happy - If God isn't happy you are in big trouble
2. God allowed the people to become oppressed, 2:12-15
3. How happy is God with us? From baby boomers on – we’ve had it good
4. Question instrumental music, necessity of baptism, day to partake Lord’s
Supper, no longer focus as much on Bible, etc.
III.God Can Raise up a Leader
A. There was always a remnant that remained faithful to God
1. Remember God told Elijah, 7,000 had not bowed down, 1 Kings 19
2. Today the number of faithful small, but we can accomplish much
B. God raised up Judges, Judges 2:18
1. People were obedient during the reign of the judge.
2. When Judge died the people turned away from God – happen over & over
C. Process happen over and over again throughout the time of the Judges
D. There are consequences to sin
1. Read Judges_2:20-23.
2. Crime brings punishment even if you repent, still must face consequences.
3. Eventually serving other gods led to the defeat of Israel.
4. Northern Kingdom to Assyria; Southern Kingdom to Ezekiel.
5. Judges were just men, Could never completely restore the people
E. Only Jesus could deliver man from his sins.
1. John 1:29 ESV The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
2. Worse to disobey the Gospel; Read Heb_10:26-31
3. Only the church of today can insure the faith of tomorrow.