Judges 2:18-19 (NIV)
"18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them.They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways."
"18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them.They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways."
We have the tendency to commit sin, then repent, then give our devotion to God, then when all is well, we sin again and we fall into bondage. This is the experience of Israel in the Book of Judges. Only Jesus can break this bondage of sin.
Joshua is a book of victory, triumph and success in claiming the promised Land.
Judges however shows the failure of Israel to conquer their enemies, claim their inheritance, and the huge effect that this had on their life and relationship with God.
This is true in our own lives even today.
We not only have victories, but we also experience failures and disappointments in life. And most of the times, because of wrong choices, our failures are much more than our victories.
Throughout this entire book of Judges, we see a repeated cycle, one that we will call ‘The cycle of sin’. We get use to this cycle and actually settle down, get comfortable in it and consider this cycle to be normal and natural. The problem is we are to be supernatural, and Jesus came to break the sin cycle, and set us free from what I like to refer to as the Hamster Wheel. We get on and wear ourselves out going no where and taking no one else anywhere either. As long as we get what we want we think we are okay. We lay back and drink the poison satan feeds us, which further dulls us into the slumber of sin. We have to wake up and get off the wheel. We were and are created for more than this kind of life.
Joshua is a book of victory, triumph and success in claiming the promised Land.
Judges however shows the failure of Israel to conquer their enemies, claim their inheritance, and the huge effect that this had on their life and relationship with God.
This is true in our own lives even today.
We not only have victories, but we also experience failures and disappointments in life. And most of the times, because of wrong choices, our failures are much more than our victories.
Throughout this entire book of Judges, we see a repeated cycle, one that we will call ‘The cycle of sin’. We get use to this cycle and actually settle down, get comfortable in it and consider this cycle to be normal and natural. The problem is we are to be supernatural, and Jesus came to break the sin cycle, and set us free from what I like to refer to as the Hamster Wheel. We get on and wear ourselves out going no where and taking no one else anywhere either. As long as we get what we want we think we are okay. We lay back and drink the poison satan feeds us, which further dulls us into the slumber of sin. We have to wake up and get off the wheel. We were and are created for more than this kind of life.
Judges 2:19 (NIV) 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.
The first thing we need to remember is that we have the tendency to be overcome by sin. And when we commit sin, the consequences on our lives and the lives of the future generation is devastating.
The words used in this verse concerning the downfall of Israel: FOLLOWING, SERVING and WORSHIPING other gods.
Let us look at these in detail. To "follow" means to pursue or to chase after an idol.
During this time, the place of the Almighty God in their hearts was slowly being replaced by man made idols.
Instead of resisting to the evil forces invading their hearts, they followed and pursued after other gods. We must avoid pursuing after idols, if we ever hope to have true peace and freedom.
The next word, to "serve" means to assist, to minister or to attend to other gods.
During this time, Israel was not just pursuing after idols, but they were comfortable serving them and caring for these graven images. Instead of serving the true God, they began to give more time on serving their idols.
They have really gone down deeper into sin.
And, the third word used, "worship" has the element of adoration and devotion.
They deteriorated in paying homage to their idols and lost touch in worshiping the true God.
The next sentence says: "They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways." It means that even though they were being rebuked or chastised on their evil practices, yet, they rebuffed and repudiate strongly any correction to challenge their evil practices.
They would not even listen to any form of correction or reproof. They just hold on tightly to their evil practices. They just closed their minds and pretended they could not hear God's voice. Their hearts become callous and their consciences were seared or numb. And this is what sin can do to people who are blinded from the truth of God's Word. This is a warning to all of us regarding the consequences of sin.
That is why we must avoid following, serving or worshiping idols of any kind. In fact, the Bible calls this situation as slavery to sin. And many people without knowing it are caught up or trapped in this cycle without a way out.
They would not even listen to any form of correction or reproof. They just hold on tightly to their evil practices. They just closed their minds and pretended they could not hear God's voice. Their hearts become callous and their consciences were seared or numb. And this is what sin can do to people who are blinded from the truth of God's Word. This is a warning to all of us regarding the consequences of sin.
That is why we must avoid following, serving or worshiping idols of any kind. In fact, the Bible calls this situation as slavery to sin. And many people without knowing it are caught up or trapped in this cycle without a way out.
ACTION STEPS: Consider these verses from the Bible.
Romans 6:20 "When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness."
That means a person who is controlled by sin has no ability on their own to do what is right. They just keep on doing what is evil.
John 8:24 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin."
That means a person who is controlled by sin keeps on sinning.
Titus 3:3 "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another."
Look at those down ward pull of sin: "foolish", "disobedient", deceived" and "enslaved".
It is like being sucked into a hole of total darkness without any possibility of deliverance. It is like running on a Hamster Wheel with no hope of getting off. That, is the condition of our hearts without Christ. And there are many people who have no knowledge of Christ and His deliverance, so they tread on through life. They only live for the present. They are not aware of their spiritual condition. And so, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die, not knowing they are already the walking dead, running the treadmill of sin with no hope of getting off.
If we have been delivered by Christ, we need to bring the message of salvation to them. They need the Jesus Jesus Christ in their hearts. We must reach the Lost with the Gospel. This is the Great Commission that God has given us to fulfill as a church.
Romans 6:20 "When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness."
That means a person who is controlled by sin has no ability on their own to do what is right. They just keep on doing what is evil.
John 8:24 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin."
That means a person who is controlled by sin keeps on sinning.
Titus 3:3 "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another."
Look at those down ward pull of sin: "foolish", "disobedient", deceived" and "enslaved".
It is like being sucked into a hole of total darkness without any possibility of deliverance. It is like running on a Hamster Wheel with no hope of getting off. That, is the condition of our hearts without Christ. And there are many people who have no knowledge of Christ and His deliverance, so they tread on through life. They only live for the present. They are not aware of their spiritual condition. And so, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die, not knowing they are already the walking dead, running the treadmill of sin with no hope of getting off.
If we have been delivered by Christ, we need to bring the message of salvation to them. They need the Jesus Jesus Christ in their hearts. We must reach the Lost with the Gospel. This is the Great Commission that God has given us to fulfill as a church.
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