Averting An Apostasy
Text: Judges 2:7-10
Intro: The word “apostasy” sounds a little ominous, doesn’t it? In very fact, the word definitely has a negative connotation. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the word as, “an abandoning of what one has believed in, as a faith, cause, principles, etc.”1 Parsons Bible Dictionary says this word means “to draw back…in matters of religion…The apostasy may be both doctrinal and moral.”2 In layman’s terms, we might define this word as “to backslide,” or “turn away.”3
Apostasy was certainly no stranger to Israel. Israel’s history is replete with example after miserable example of their turning away from God to serve heathen gods, and their own lustful practices. Each time apostasy reared it ugly head among the Israelites, the moral climate of the nation hit rock bottom.
We can see this awful tragedy in our own nation today. On the whole, America has turned away from God. Her gutter morals are telltale signs of her disdain for God, as well her defiance of His commands. One doesn’t have to listen to too many news reports to know that our nation is in deep moral and spiritual trouble.
However, apostasy can be averted; and the second chapter of Judges gives us the guidelines for doing so. This message is not deep theologically. It simply gives some basic principles that if followed, can avert a nation or an individual from departing from God.
Theme: God’s plan for averting an apostasy is:
I. REBUKE
A. The Faithfulness Of God Rehearsed.
Judges 2:1 “And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.”
NOTE: [1] A number of theological scholars believe that the words “…an angel of the Lord…” should be rendered “…the angel of the Lord,” which would be indicative of the pre-incarnate Christ (Keil & Delitzsch; Albert Barnes). The message given in verse one is in the first person, perhaps further indicating that this was the pre-incarnate Christ speaking to Israel.
[2] The angel of the Lord begins His message by rehearsing the faithfulness of God, in spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness. This message is reminiscent of the final words of Moses, just before his death.
Josh. 23:14 “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”
The fact is folks, if God has promised it, God will perform it. He never fails to keep His promises.
He Never Fails
He never fails the soul that trusts in Him;
Tho’ disappointments come and hope burns dim,
He never fails.
Tho’ trials surge like stormy seas around,
Tho’ testings fierce like ambushed foes abound,
Yet this my soul, with millions more has found,
He never fails; He never fails.
He never fails the soul that trusts in Him;
Tho’ angry skies with thunder-clouds grow grim,
He never fails.
Tho’ icy blasts life’s fairest flow’rs lay low,
Tho’ earthly springs of joy all cease to flow,
Yet still ‘tis true, with millions more I know,
He never fails; He never fails.
He never fails the soul that trusts in Him;
Tho’ sorrow’s cup should overflow the brim,
He never fails.
Tho’ oft the pilgrim way seems rough and long,
I yet shall stand amid yon white-robed throng,
And there I’ll sing, with millions more, this song—He never fails; He never fails.4
B. The Focus Of God’s Requirements.
Judges 2:2a “And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars…”
NOTE: [1] The thrust of what God required of His people was that they remain spiritually pure. The Lord knew that “…evil communications corrupt good manners” (I Cor. 15:33b).
[2] God had commanded His people to rout the heathen from the Promised Land, being careful not to make treaties with them that would come back to haunt them later (Ex. 34:12). Spiritually speaking, what we don’t overcome in our life, will sooner or later, overcome us. God Himself said as much.
Num. 33:55 “But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.”
I Kings 11:2 “Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.”
You’ve no doubt heard the old saying, “You can’t play with fire and not get burned.” Playing with the ways of the world and its sin will burn you spiritually, sooner or later.
C. The Failure Of Israel Reviewed.
1. They are reminded of their rebellion.
Judges 2:2b “…but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?”
NOTE: The Israelites had committed this infraction a number of times. In Joshua 9:3-15, Joshua and the children of Israel made a covenant with the Gibeonites. In Numbers 25:6-9, the men of Israel began to have improper relations with the women of Midian, bringing a plague upon Israel.
2. They are reminded of God’s retribution.
Judges 2:3 “Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.”
NOTE: Those sinful dalliances that we rebelliously refuse to give up are the very things that ultimately make us miserable. The true child of God cannot go against the will of God for their lives and be really happy. This is exactly what God predicted would happen to Israel if she fraternized with the heathen and their wicked ways. Israel stubbornly followed after and clung to the false gods of the people of Canaan, even after God specifically warned them to avoid all contact with them. The result was not only God’s displeasure, but also distress from their enemies, since God’s protection was no longer upon them, due to their blatant sin.
II. REPENTANCE
A. The People Responded To God’s Rebuke.
Judges 2:4 “And it came to pass, when the angel of the Lord spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.”
NOTE: Folks, why is it that Christians go through the futility of denying the obvious, when it comes to their sins? We will try to explain it away, or vindicate ourselves, as though the problem is somebody else’s fault. Why can’t we simply get honest with God? Why is it that folks who have sinned, tend to run away from the Lord, rather than running to Him?
How may we be forgiven? Some people may think they can outrun the judgment. A Spaniard committed a murder at a castle many years ago. He jumped upon a horse and rode wildly into the night. He rode for hours to escape. Finally, exhausted, he lay down to sleep for a couple of hours. When he awoke it was daybreak. When he opened his eyes, he looked up to see the castle he had fled the night before. He had ridden in circles all night. “Be sure your sin will find you out.” You cannot run, and you cannot hide, but you can be forgiven!5
B. The People Repented Of Their Rebellion.
Judges 2: 5 “And they called the name of that place Bochim (“Weepers”6): and they sacrificed there unto the Lord.”
NOTE: [1] The sad part about this so-called repentance is that it turned out to be insincere. The people’s reaction to the angel’s message was due more to regret and remorse, than to real repentance. Wiersbe points this out with the following statement:
No wonder the people wept when they heard the message! (The Hebrew word Bochim means “weepers.”) However, their sorrow was because of the consequences of their sins and not because the wickedness of their sins had convicted them. It was a shallow and temporary sorrow that never led them to true repentance (2 Cor. 7:8-11).7
[2] It’s sad, but true: Some people, when faced with their sin, can cry and blubber to high heaven; but they never really get convicted and broken over their sin to the point that they get down to business with God. God sees through our vain show.
John Calvin said, “Let everyone search himself and he will find that he labors under this evil—that he would rather rend his garment than his heart.”
How true! Calvin was thinking of that time when God brought His people Israel to repentance by sending a vast army of locusts to invade the land. All vegetation was consumed. Fruit trees and gardens were stripped bare. Both man and animals languished under the effects of this widespread devastation. The prophet Joel seized the occasion to call Israel to repentance, to “rend your heart, and not your garments.” According to the record, they heeded his warning and turned from their sin (Joel 3:18-19).8
III. REMEMBER
A. All Who Remembered God, Followed Him.
Judges 2: 7 “And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel.”
NOTE: We must be careful not to forget what God has done for us. Remembering God’s blessings of the past helps us to better deal with the burdens of the present.
Sometimes we as Christians need to stop along life’s road and look back. Although it might have been winding and steep, we can see how God directed us by His faithfulness. Here’s how F.E. Marsh described what the Christian can see when he looks back:
§ The deliverances the Lord has wrought (Deut.5: 15).
§ The way He has led (Deut.8: 2).
§ The blessings He has bestowed (Deut. 32:7-12).
§ The victories He has won (Deut.ll: 2-7).
§ The encouragements He has given (Josh.23: 14).
When we face difficulties, we sometimes forget God’s past faithfulness. We see only the detours and the dangerous path. But look back and you will also see the joy of victory, the challenge of the climb, and the presence of your traveling Companion who has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.9
B. All Who Remembered Not God, Forsook Him.
Judges 2: 8 “And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
…………………………………………………………..
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.
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim:
12a And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger.”
Theme: God’s plan for averting an apostasy is:
I. REBUKE
II. REPENTANCE
III. REMEMBRANCE
End Notes:
1. Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief and David B. Guralnik, Editor in Chief Emeritus; Webster’s New World Dictionary Of American English, published by Simon & Schuster, Inc., pg. 65.
2. Parsons Bible Dictionary.
3. Rev. Donnie L. Martin.
4. J. S. Baxter, in Explore The Book.
5. Author unknown. Acquired from pastorlife.com.
6. Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Available, as found in Warren Wiersbe’s “Be” Series: Old & New Testaments, QuickVerse, A Division of Findex.com, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska, Version 10.0.1.
7. Ibid.
8. Source unknown.
9. Source unknown. Taken from sermonillustrations.com.
