Judges 1:1-10- Something To Be Commended For And Something To Be Concerned About

In Joshua 1:1-10 & 19 we read, “After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” The Lord said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.” And Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me into the territory allotted to me, that we may fight against the Canaanites. And I likewise will go with you into the territory allotted to you.” So Simeon went with him. (Apparent success:) Then Judah went up and the Lord gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand, and they defeated 10,000 of them at Bezek. They found Adoni-bezek at Bezek and fought against him and defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites. (What is going on here?) Adoni-bezek fled, but they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and his big toes. And Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

And the men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it and struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire. And afterward the men of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, in the Negeb, and in the lowland. And Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba), and they defeated Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai...And the LORD was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, but he could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain because they had chariots of iron.”

In the first half of Judges 1 we see that Judah and Simeon align together and they achieve some military success. This success, however, comes to an end in Judges 1:19 when they could not overcome the people who possessed the chariots of iron. In the first half of Judges 1 we see a couple of things. First, even though Judah and Simeon join together to form a powerful military force the scriptures still attribute any success that they had to the LORD. (4,19,22) The willingness of the LORD to do this does not condone everything we see being done by Judah, but it does emphasize that there is never any success apart from the LORD no matter how strong our military strength is.

We also see in the first half of Judges 1 some things that should trouble us. First, Judah and Simeon form a partnership against the clear instruction of the LORD. (1:1-3) Second, they do not do to Adoni-bezek what the LORD had commanded they do. (1:4-7) In fact, in most of their success they still fail to complete the task as they were commanded by removing all the people from their land. Third, they fail to overcome the chariots of iron. (1:19) Fourth, they make an ill advised covenant with the man who founded Luz. (1:22-26)

It is easy to see the partnership between these two tribes and view it through a pragmatic worldview and conclude that if it works it is good and acceptable. However, I do not think that we should come to this text with such a pragmatic view. Instead, we ought to see that there are some warning signs in our text that will mean that Judah will not meet the objectives of their mission and they will not be commended by the LORD. (2:1-5)

In the opening verses there is something that Israel should be commended for. After Joshua dies Israel prays to the LORD regarding the next step that they should take. We read in Judges 1:1, “After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”

Israel should be commended for taking the time to pray. However, we also see that Judah appears to not be comfortable with the mission that the LORD has assigned to them. We read, “The Lord said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.” And Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me into the territory allotted to me, that we may fight against the Canaanites. And I likewise will go with you into the territory allotted to you.” (2-3)

Let me illustrate what we are witnessing here. A while back a friend of mine told me that their mother, whose is a widow, had made a new friend at church. She has gotten to know a godly man and they enjoyed having opportunities to spend time together. One evening she called one of her children and asked them if they thought it would be OK if this man picked her up for church that evening because it was snowing and the roads could be dangerous.

Her daughter thought about this question for a moment and then said, “You know mom, your free to do whatever your comfortable with.” Then after a brief pause she said, “I will admit that if it were me I would probably just stay home where it is safe, and warm.”

After hearing these words her mother became frustrated with this answer. Apparently her mom did not like that advice. A few more tense words were spoken between them and then the mother hung up the phone in frustration.

We may read the opening words in Judges 1 and think that Judah isn’t doing anything wrong when they engage in this partnership with Simeon. This partnership seems like a wise and prudent idea since Israel is going to engage in a war with the nations around them. I will admit that many commentaries see this partnership between these two tribes as a good thing which illustrates the need for christian unity, cooperation, and working together to accomplish God’s will. These are good things and the bible does stress these virtues, however, I am not sure that this is the main point of Judges 1 or the rest of this book. I have taken a different view so let me say a few things.

• First, this passage is a warning against not carefully and faithfully following the instructions that God gives. We are not to add to God’s Word or take away from what God has said.

• Second, this passage shows that we need to recognize when we lack the faith to obey God and His Word. When we attempt things without faith we may appear to have some victories but eventually our efforts will experience a defeat and we will fail to obtain the objectives that God has given. (1:19; 2:1-5)

• When Judah enlists Simeon as the antidote to their lack of faith instead of looking to God they increase the condemnation that they will receive from God. If their personal efforts appear to succeed they will become prideful and pragmatic. (1:5-7) However, at some point the victories will turn into a defeat and all progress will cease. (1:19) Eventually there will be a retreat.

Do you remember the sermon that Ray Haas preached on March 16th entitled, “The Next Step: God helps us take our next step in life”. In that sermon Ray had three points and if we can apply those three points to this text we will see that what we see in Judges 1 should be a warning to all of Israel. Ray preached from Numbers 1:1-5 and his three points were,

• God directs us into our next step in life.

• God show us how to take the next step.

• God shows us who will help us take that next step in life.

If these three points are true, and I believe that they are, we would conclude that what happens in our text is an indication that Judah, and all of Israel, lack faith in God and His Word. Therefore, we should not read these things in Judges 1 and say, “This is no big deal! There is nothing to see here or to be concerned about. What they do here is pretty wise and they have made God’s plan better.” No, we should see their response as a problem and a failure to do exactly what the LORD has told them. (21:25)

As we read the words, “After the death of Joshua…”, we recognize that Israel is in a time of transition. Israel’s great leader has passed away and this is setting into motion certain expected events. Joshua had brought the people into the Promised Land where they began to receive their inheritance and now this next generation was supposed to complete the job.

After this we are told what the people did next, “After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord…”. Their response during this transition is encouraging- God’s people pray. They pray to the LORD for what their next step should be, how to take it, and who should take it? It is commendable that Israel does not presume to know what to do in this moment without first going to God in prayer.

Note: This is a virtue that Israel did not continue in the future. In the Book of Judges the LORD will raise up many leaders like Joshua who lead them and deliver them from their enemies. At that time Israel would return to the LORD and remain faithful to Him for a time. However, when the judge would die that next generation would not pray to the LORD as Israel does here. As a result, they immediately begin to fall away from the LORD. For example, look at Judges 2:11-12, “The land had rest for forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died. And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” It does not say, “And the people of Israel again prayed…”; rather, it says, “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” Application: we need to faithfully pray and obey the LORD each day.

In moments like these, when we have been given a task to do, we can busy ourselves without asking the LORD for His wisdom and guidance. This would be a temptation for Israel in this moment because they have been told by the LORD, by Moses, and by Joshua what needs to happen next. Therefore, it would have been easy for them to be like Martha who busied herself with her responsibilities and never take time to sit at the LORD’s feet. (Luke 10) In Joshua 1:1 Israel could have fallen into this trap but they do not do this in these early moments of this transition.

Israel knew what needed to be done but they do not presumptuously act without prayer. There will be times in our life when we have all the facts that we need to act, but this does not mean that we do not need to pray and wait upon the LORD.

In our text we are told that all of Israel prayed and sought the LORD. The entire nation lifted up prayers to the LORD for guidance. You and I may never experience a moment like this in our lifetime when the whole nation will pray and seek the Mighty One, God, the LORD, as Israel does here. (22:22) However, we can gather as God’s people in this congregation and pray with one heart and one mind to the LORD. Israel is the church (congregation, assembly) in the Old Testament and like us they lived in a pagan world. Together with them we are part of the universal and visible church which has the privilege of coming boldly to the Throne of Grace together. What a blessing it is in this sinful world to come together to pray and study God’s Word.

We know that God honors what they do on this occasion because God responds to their prayer. The LORD answers them and He gives them instructions regarding the next steps that they are to take. God wants His people to pray to Him and when we pray and He answers us through His Word He wants us to be careful to obey.

Israel is to be commended for their prayer but their response to God’s word should be a reason for concern. Their response is in seed form that which will later become the theme of this entire book, “In those day there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” (21:25) Could we not say that this book begins where it will end- ‘Everyone does what is right in their own eyes’?

When God answers Israel’s prayer He gives them very specific instructions. We read, “The Lord said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.”(2) Notice that the LORD’s response is directed primarily to the tribe of Judah. Judah’s reaction to the Word of the LORD is seen next, “And Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me into the territory allotted to me, that we may fight against the Canaanites. And I likewise will go with you into the territory allotted to you.”(3)

Let me make some observations about these verses.

Observation#1: Notice that God does not lay out a detailed plan. No, the LORD replies with a short and simple message, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.”

Question: Why doesn’t God say more than this? I can think of a couple reasons.

• First, perhaps He does this because He knows that His people lack faith. Can you imagine the confusion they would experience if God’s people lacked the faith to hear, understand, and obey His words. The LORD keeps His instructions simple because it is hard to get confused with the message, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.” And yet, faithless people cannot understand the simplest biblical truths. On the eve of battle with the Canaanites His people are fearful so the LORD speaks to His people like Jesus spoke to His disciples on the eve of His suffering, “I still have so much more to say, but you cannot bear to hear it now.” (John 16:12)

• Second, perhaps the LORD’s short reply implies that this this is not to be the only time that God’s people were to pray to the LORD for wisdom. God’s people are to pray continually to Him for wisdom and for the grace to obey. Therefore, after the LORD says these things, instead of immediately turning to their brother Simeon for help, Judah should have prayed again for the grace and courage to obey.

Observation#2: The LORD’s reply was about what Judah was to do but the other tribes had an opportunity to support and encourage Judah to obey what was commanded. The whole nation prayed and so God’s response would have been known by all of them. We see this clearly in the words God’s response, “I have given the land into his hand”. The LORD does not say to Judah alone, “I have given the land into your hand”.

God’s response was to the whole nation so the whole nation is responsible to carefully obey these words. Therefore, when Judah deviated from what God had so clearly said the other tribes should have confirmed what God had said and then encouraged Judah to respond in obedient faith. Instead Simeon becomes a partner and the other tribes remain silent or even encourage these things.

Observation#3: The words that God spoke, even though they were few, were intended to give God’s people the faith they needed to obtain complete victory. God gave Judah more than just a command; He also gave them a promise- “I have given the land into His hand”. If Judah had responded to this promise in faith the victory was assured. They did not need Simeon’s help because the LORD was going to fight for them and give them the victory. Proverbs 13:13 says, “Whoever despises the Word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.” Because Israel does not fully honor God’s word they will not enjoy the victory that could have been theirs.

Observation#4: Some of us like more information than what God provides here. For some, this short reply from God would have left us with more questions than answers. We would still be wondering, “Why do we have to go fight first? Who will lead us? Who should we attack first? What is the best way to defeat those iron chariots? What will we do when we face those giants of Anak?”

We know that Judah had questions and concerns like these because they add to the words that the LORD had given them. When these questions arose in their hearts they turned to Simeon and said, “Come up with me into the territory allotted to me, that we may fight against the Canaanites. And I likewise will go with you into the territory allotted to you.” Instead, they should have looked to the LORD in prayer for grace and strength to obey.

Already as we come to verse 3 and we see a problem. A moment ago I mentioned how Israel was not like Martha, however, now after they pray that they become like her by looking to Simeon and asking for help. Like Martha they think they need the help of their sibling as they begin to busy themselves with their own plans.

Observation#5: Judah should have remained in prayer so that their faith could be strengthened for the task ahead. God will often answer our prayer but then more prayer is needed for our faith to be strengthened to respond well to what has been said. Judah is the largest of the tribes and yet they lack confidence and courage to obey. This is how it will always be when we look at ourselves to accomplish what God obeys. The answer to this dilemma is not to look to others, but to the LORD. (Prov. 20:7)

Observation#6: Since the LORD’s message is short and clear then we must ask why Simeon, or any of the other tribes, did not object to Judah’s plan to go with their brother to war? Why didn’t anyone begin to voice some concern about this small deviation from what God has said? Why was there not one person who said, “Did you not listen to what the LORD just said, ‘I have given the land into Judah’s hand’?”

If God gave a long reply then we might say that Israel misunderstood what God had communicated. But what God said was not hard to understand or complicated. What we see happening in the opening verses of this chapter is a problem with the faith of God’s people. This lack of faith will produce a lack of clarity with the simplest of messages and a problem with the peoples ability to obey God’s clear commands. All of these things which are in seed form in Judges 1 will soon lead to bigger problems.

In Judges 1 Israel is content to be pragmatic and apathetic towards God and His Word. The little victories they may achieve will soon be confronted by God when He says, “You have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?” (Judges 2:2b)

Conclusion: Today we have seen a picture of Israel where they can be commended for their prayer but criticized for their response to God’s reply. Israel asks, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” Then the LORD responds, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.”

In the Book of Judges the tribe of Judah, and the whole nation, will fail to obey the LORD and take full possession of their inheritance. However, the book of Judges points us to another picture. There will be a time when God will send His own Son through the line of King David.

We see this when God says, “I have given the land into his hand”. The tribe of Judah failed to receive this promise because of a lack of faith but the LORD is pointing us to a promise that has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 4:8-12) The LORD does not say, “I have given the land into their hand”, but “I will give the land into his hand” (singular). Let God be true and every man be a liar. (Rom. 3:4) When we are faithless He will be faithful. (2 Tim. 2:13) What sinful man could not do God accomplished through His Son when He sent Him into the world. (Romans 8:3)