Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
1:19 The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron.
There is no record that the men of Judah attack these people and experienced defeat. So did they even try or did they simply assume these people were stronger because of their chariots fitted with iron?
It is easy to talk ourselves into defeat before we even attempt something.
In Judges 5 Deborah sings about God's victory over their enemies who had chariots. It appears that God sent a storm which bogged the chariots.
1:19 The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron.
There is no record that the men of Judah attack these people and experienced defeat. So did they even try or did they simply assume these people were stronger because of their chariots fitted with iron?
It is easy to talk ourselves into defeat before we even attempt something.
In Judges 5 Deborah sings about God's victory over their enemies who had chariots. It appears that God sent a storm which bogged the chariots.
2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.
The problem of second generation Christians – they neither knew God's ways or his deeds. Yet God holds them personally responsible not their parents.
We all need our own experience of God and can't rely on the experience of others.
2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.
The problem of second generation Christians – they neither knew God's ways or his deeds. Yet God holds them personally responsible not their parents.
We all need our own experience of God and can't rely on the experience of others.
3:5-6 The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
First they lived amongst these people. Second they intermarried with them and third they served their gods. Each step was a natural progression from the previous one. It took them away from God and into paganism.
The slippery slope away from God begins when we accommodate the world's views.
3:5-6 The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
First they lived amongst these people. Second they intermarried with them and third they served their gods. Each step was a natural progression from the previous one. It took them away from God and into paganism.
The slippery slope away from God begins when we accommodate the world's views.
4:4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.
Deborah was one of several prominent women early in Judges (See 1:15 Aksah and 4:21 Jael). But as Israel moved further away from God's covenant, women were less respected and often abused.
The more we move away from God's design the more depraved people become.
4:4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.
Deborah was one of several prominent women early in Judges (See 1:15 Aksah and 4:21 Jael). But as Israel moved further away from God's covenant, women were less respected and often abused.
The more we move away from God's design the more depraved people become.
5:2 & 9 When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves…My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people.
Deborah sings about the blessings of people who willingly give of their time and resources to serve the Lord.
There are always some who won't help but God worked through the willing volunteers.
5:2 & 9 When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves…My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people.
Deborah sings about the blessings of people who willingly give of their time and resources to serve the Lord.
There are always some who won't help but God worked through the willing volunteers.