What should we do to have complete victory and not defeat?
1. Consult God about how the work is to be done. Vv. 1-2
A. Explanation:
In verses 1-2, the Israelites asked the Lord who would be the first to attack the Canaanites.
Here it is shown that in all we do, first is to consult God.
In verse 2, they not only consulted God but they waited for the Lord's answer.
B. Illustration: King David; 1 Samuel 23:2-4; 23:9-12
C. Application: Proverbs 3:5-6
a. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
b. Do not depend on your own understanding.
c. Seek his will in ALL you do.
2. Work as a team. V. 3-5
A. Explanation:
i. The men of Judah said to their relatives from the tribe of Simeon, “Join with us to fight against the Canaanites living in the territory allotted to us. Then we will help you conquer your territory.” So the men of Simeon went with Judah.“
ii. Judah is walking wisely; by partnering with another tribe, the work is much easier.
iii. Teamwork is a sign on unselfishness.
- The Tribe of Judah and Simeon are fighting a battle in a territory that did not directly belong to them. The city of Bezek was far to the north of Judah's tribal lands. That is a sign of UNSELFISHNESS!
iv. Result: Victory
Judges 1:4 When the men of Judah attacked, the Lord gave them victory over the Canaanites and Perizzites, and they killed 10,000 enemy warriors at the town of Bezek.
B. Illustration: Horse
There is a story about a horse-pull in Canada where they hitched this one draft horse and he pulled 9,000 pounds. They hitched another strong horse up and he pulled 8,000 pounds. So, they figured the two of them together could pull 17,000 pounds. They loaded the sled with 17,000 pounds and hooked the two stout beasts to the sled and they almost ran away with the load. They were surprised, so they kept adding fertilizer bags and testing their strength. Do you know how much those two horses pulled together? Those two mighty steeds pulled 30,000 pounds, over three times what either horse could pull separately. - From a sermon by Tim Adams, Vision for Prayer, 12/1/2009
C. Application:
The saying is true that, “Nobody climbs Mount Everest alone.”
Read: Matthew 12:30
3. Don’t become like the people of this world. Vv. 6-8
A. Explanation:
- God never told the Israelites to cut the thumbs and big toes of Adoni-Bezek; they did it by copying what that cruel king did; It is very clear that the tribe of Judah did what the “world” did!
B. Illustration: Salt; Matthew 5:13
C. Application:
- Be careful not to be influenced by culture or unbelievers around us.
4. Keep on depending on the Lord. Vv. 9-20, vv. 22-26
A. Explanation:
i. The reason why Judah was successful in all their battles was because they trusted in the Lord.
ii. A good start is no guarantee of a successful conclusion.
iii. Victory obtained at the price of compromise is not really victory.
B. Illustration: king Asa; 2 Chronicles 14:8-12; 16:7-9
C. Application: Never compromise your convictions.
Conclusion:
God's dream for the Israelites was so great. But in Judges 1 the writer shows that they were satisfied with far less than what God wanted them to have.
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