Part 3: The depth of Israel’s apostasy (Judges 17:1-21:25), continued

Moral and societal corruption (Judges 19:1-21:24), continued

Chaotic aftermath (Judges 21:1-24)

Final verdict (Judges 21:25)

Review

Historical context of Judges

• Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt and then thoroughly and repeatedly warned against the pitfalls of living in Canaan (Deuteronomy 4, 11).
• Covers a period of about 300 years and depicts part of the transition from “house of the father” (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) ➡ tribal confederacy ➡ dynastic monarchy.
• The Israelites go from a time of relative unity (under Moses and Joshua’s leadership) ➡ assimilating with heathen nations ➡ anarchy and civil war
• Proverbs 26:11

Outline of Judges

• Chapter 1-2 – The roots of Israel’s apostasy
• Chapters 3-16 – The downward spiral of Israel’s apostasy
• Chapters 17-21 – The depths of Israel’s apostasy
• Latter part of the narrative focuses on two points (Judges 21:25):
  • “In those days, there was no king in Israel.”
  • “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
• Several graphic depictions of God’s judgment (Ehud and Eglon) but also of wanton violence and depravity (Levite’s concubine).

Israel’s downward spiral

• Judges 2:19
• Rejection ➡ Reaction ➡ Retribution ➡ Repentance ➡ Rescue ➡ Relapse

Conclusion

• Hebrews 12:28-29, 1

God is strong, we are weak

• Job 38:1-7
• Job 38:22-24, 28-30
• Genesis 8:22
• Matthew 5:36
• Job 38:25-27, 33-38
• We have so little control!
• Psalms 147:1-11, 15-20 – Just praise God! Fear the Lord and praise Him.

Count your (basic) blessings

• I Kings 17:10-12 – The widow had nothing left.
• Philippians 4:11
• II Corinthians 11:27
• I Timothy 6:8

It’s wise to be prepared.

• Matthew 25:1-13
• Matthew 25:41
• We must be prepared spiritually.

Titus 2

Titus 2:1-10 – Instructions for various categories, continued

• Titus 2:5 – See I Peter 3:5. Submission should not be out of fear.
• Titus 2:6-8 – Young men are to be sensible and have self-control. See I Timothy 4:12. Be sound in speech.
• Titus 2:9-10 – See I Timothy 6:1-2.
• Notice the four purpose statements:
  • Titus 2:4 – “so that they may encourage the young women”
  • Titus 2:5 – “so that the word of God will not be dishonored”
  • Titus 2:8 – “so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us”
  • Titus 2:10 – “so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect”

Titus 2:11-14 – “the grace of God has appeared”

• Titus 2:14 – See I Peter 1:18-19. God wants us to be zealous for good works – not just avoid evil.

Titus 2:15 – “speak and exhort and reprove with all authority”

• The authority comes from God – it is not anything in the speaker.
• The Bible must be the reason we do or teach things. We can’t just say, “because I said so.”

Titus 3

Titus 3:1-3 – General reminders

• If we are being disobedient and constantly griping, we are sinning!

Titus 3:4-7 – “He saved us”

• Titus 3:5 – “Washing of regeneration” here likely refers to baptism.

Titus 3:8-9 – “Speak confidently … avoid foolish controversies”

Titus 3:10-11 – “Reject a factious man”

• Try to work with a divisive man, but if he won’t stop causing trouble, he must be removed from the group.

Titus 3:12-15 – Final greetings

Introduction

• I Corinthians 2:6
• I Corinthians 14:20

I need to recognize my own faults and improve.

• Genesis 3:11-13
• Exodus 32 – Aaron blamed the fire for the golden calf.
• I Samuel 15 – Saul tried to shift blame to the people.
• I Kings 18:17 – Ahab blamed Elijah.
• Blaming others is spiritually immature.
• Adam and Eve both told the truth but still erred in blaming others for their sin.
• Luke 23:39-43
• I John 1:8
• Proverbs 28:13

I need to know that my actions have consequences and plan ahead.

• Proverbs 6:27-32 – These behaviors set you up for trouble.
• Proverbs 19:3 – We mess up our lives and then blame God.
• I Corinthians 8:9, 13 – We must think ahead and watch out for our brethren.
• I Corinthians 9:11-14, 23
• I Corinthians 10:27-33

I need to prioritize spiritual things.

• Luke 9:23
• Luke 12:19-21 – parable of the rich fool
• Luke 16:25 – the rich man and Lazarus
• Luke 18:22 – the rich young ruler
• What is the main thing I need to keep in mind?

Part 3: The Depths of Israel’s apostasy (Judges 17:1-21:25), continued

Moral and societal corruption (Judges 19:1-21:24), continued

Moral outrage at Gibeah (Judges 19:22-30), continued

• See Leviticus 18:22. This was, of course, specifically forbidden by the Law of Moses.
• This is similar behavior to what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).
• This is the kind of behavior that eventually results when everyone does what is right in his own eyes.
• Judges 19:27 – The Levites’ behavior toward her was extremely callous.
• Judges 19:29 – Compare I Samuel 11 when Saul dismembered an ox and sent it throughout the land to bring urgent attention to a matter.
• Judges 19:30 – This low point in Israel’s history is referenced in Hosea 9:9; 10:9.

Civil war (Judges 20:1-48)

• Judges 20:1 – Mizpah is in Benjamin, so Israelites were assembling at Benjamin’ doorstep.
• Judges 20:15 – The 26,000 Benjamites were up against 400,000 Israelites – about a 15:1 ratio.
• Judges 20:18 – Compare Judges 1 when Judah was also called on to go first.
• Judges 20:26 – This was not something often seen from Israel in the book of Judges. They were tearfully seeking God and His guidance.
• See Mark 3:24. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
• Judges 20:12-13 – The Benjamites were offered a way out, but would not take it. How often do we make the same mistake out of pride?

Class 13 Takeaway

• The Israelite civil war began because of the wicked actions of a few men in one town and was exacerbated by their brothers’ unwillingness to stand up against their evil deeds.
• To avoid a similar firestorm in our lives, let’s ensure we are always pursuing what makes for peace and promotes unity in our relationships, but also that we have the courage to take a stand against evil – even when it hits close to home (Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:3, 13; 5:11).