"Lessons for the Church and other People from the Book of Judges" by Joe Camerata June 2, 2012, Split-Sermon:

Phoenix, AZ Introduction: Greetings to you, friends and guests! We are now a week away from Pentecost which symbolized the giving of the Law in the OT and God’s HS on that Pentecost in 31 AD. Unlike many who have gone before us and have strayed from the path God chose for us, we as Christians and God-fearers can learn from the examples of those who have gone before us. (I was amazed how many messages touched on what I was planning to say, today.) In the words of some, we should be willing to search the very same Scriptures as those new 1st Century Christians and Jews had available to them. We are admonished to search the Scriptures as it says in 2 Tim 3:16. Even recently a national spiritual leader recognized the importance of reading the Old Testament for all it is worth. In the article “Entering in the Middle of the Movie” Arthur Suckling had this to say, “An old professor once taught me that you can’t understand the New Testament (NT) until you understand the Old Testament (OT). Some decades went by before I fully comprehended the importance of this point.”

Recently I spoke to several people who are absolutely disheartened and discouraged by the events going on in our Nation and around the world. Another friend reminded me to encourage the people to speak the truth calmly and hopefully, there will be those who will ultimately listen to sound spiritual advice, and turn back to God for aid and comfort. We live in a world of crisis. In reading through the Bible Reading program one can not miss the fantastic parallel in 2 Kings 17:1-41 (1-2, 7, 12-15, 32, 41). The world is running-not walking that same path of national calamity and destruction as ancient Israel. Again let me repeat read 2 Kings 17:1-41 In the Book of Judges in the OT we find a witness to Israel which was guided by the “Judges”, who were called by God to lead Israel. But each time a “judge” died Israel fell back into idolatry and leaning to the understanding of self and that of their neighbors. It was a horribly vicious cycle – a judge would come forth and guide the nation and when he or she was gone or died Israel began to disobey and reject God as their leader. Even so, the Judges were also men subject to the passions of human nature. Israel suffered, repented with each era of a judge, but then the cycle repeated itself!

At the KOG seminar Scott McKeon mentioned the need for us as individuals and a Nation to draw close to God in these difficult and trying times, with Europe in upheaval, a local national crisis and reports of nations arming themselves with nukes, and the King of the South beginning to push against the King of the North. SPS: Split Sermon title is “Lessons for the Church and other People from the Book of Judges ". 1. Background of the Book of Judges: With these and other perils, trials and troubles of life, we as Christians and others can readily drift and lose focus even as ancient Israel did during the times of the Book of judges. Consider in the history of Israel: The Book of Judges spans a period of over 300 years, (according to Mario Seglie in an article) and dates to around 1000 B.C. Luke, a gentile, the writer of the Book of Acts also mentions these events in Acts 13:20-21 In Judges, God often uses the most unlikely of people than one would expect. Each of us – not many wise (1 Cor 1:26) are unlikely heroes. There were 12 Judges but for a message like this we will only mention 4 of the Judges back during the time of the events of the Book of Judges. First one can read in Judges 2:8 that Joshua died at about 110 yrs old.

Following the death Joshua it says in vv 11-12 that Israel worshipped and served the Baals and the gods of other people. We read in Judges 2:19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way. 1) Othniel (Judges 3:7-11) (meaning “force of God”), was the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother and with him, Israel had peace for 40 years, but after his death, Israel did evil in the sight of God. 2) Deborah (Judges 4, 5) (as in a systematic bee about its business) called a mother in Israel is mentioned. She wanted to know why Barak (Lightening or flashing sword) was not going off to battle the enemy, but he appeared to be timid and fearful and would not go unless Deborah went with him. Deborah promised that he would not gain the victory but the enemy would be taken down by a woman. Again following their victory the land had peace for another 40 years. 3) Gideon also called Jerubbaal (Let Baal plead his cause), was considered the least in his father’s house (Judges 6:19; 6, 7, 8), but God said to him have I not sent you (6:14); Gideon continued to ask for a signs, including the sign of the dew on the fleece and then only on the ground. Gideon consistently wanted to bargain with God till God only let him have 300 men.

Thus it would be known absolutely that God was granting the victory and it was not the power of Gideon or his meager army. Later Gideon died at a good old age (Judges 8:19). But Israel again forgot their God. (8:34) 4) Samson (Judges 13-16) (Brilliant sunlight) from an early age was under a Nazirite vow and dedicated to the service of God, but early on he had forsaken his vow and had done some despicable things. But in the end Samson cried out to God to allow him to die with the Philistines. Samson was considered a judge of Israel for 20 years (Judges 16:30-31) Then (?) comes anarchy in the land as they did what was right in their own eyes. (Judges 17:6 to Judges 21:25) Ancient Israel had a constant struggle with remaining faithful to God and despite repeated warnings Israel constantly drifted from its God! Ultimately Israel wearied of the judges and felt it would do better with a king. 1 Samuel 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” They wanted to be like all the other nations, even as we do so today. But Israel got more than they bargained for, with more than enough evil kings, in their acceptance of something contrary to God’s Will. Despite the errors, flaws and weaknesses mankind, we are reminded of this in (READ) Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (DNT) 13Let us hear the end of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. 2. What Should People Do? So what should people do? They shall learn discernment even as the leaders and rulers are to learn the ways of God - and do them.

Turn to and read Deuteronomy 17:19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,20 that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel. Also we read in Joshua 8:34-35 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them. The ancient kings were to read the Scriptures and apply them. What about each of us. Do we read and apply in our lives. What is the fruit of our spirit, do we stand fast-see the salvation of the Lord? Side Note: As Christians and God-fearers we ought to consider this: If there is no guilt for wrongdoing, then there is no remorse or willingness to repent. If there is no need for repentance-because we are so perfect and righteous then there is no need for a Savior or Messiah. Hopefully, each of us looks forward to a time of true peace and harmony in a troubled world.

Let’s turn to and read 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 3. Lessons for Christians and others As a modern people what other lessons can we learn from the Book of Judges? Consider these 5 brief points: 1)Don’t do what is right in your own eyes, not merely rejecting the authority of man, but the authority of God. (Centurion was a man under authority) 2)There are consequences for Sin 3) God rescues and is willing to help repentant sinners 4) Never view your sins as greater than God’s willingness to forgive. That would be a grave mistake and only allow a person to resist the mercy of God. 5) We are given God’s Holy Spirit to fully keep a lid on our human nature, if we would only ask that God lead our path in doing good. In 2 Kings 22 and 23 it talks about Josiah the 8-year-old boy who became king and led the nation of Israel for about 31 years in the ways of God. He tore down the idols Do we tear down the idols of our minds? As we have opportunity and chance meetings, dialogue with relatives and others do we give compassion, comfort and truth?

Royal priesthood: 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; You can turn to, Rev 1:6, but I will read from Revelation 1:6 (DNT) and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father: to him [be] the glory and the might to the ages of ages. Amen. Insert another thought: Friends often have said, “Why doesn't God help me?” As we have seen, as a Nation we are a morally bankrupt nation because we refuse to believe that we really should keep God’s Commandments. Why doesn't God help us/me? Could it be a refusal to obey God, and a stubbornness to do only what pleases us or me? But we continually worship at the temples of our minds and personal opinions. We compromise as did ancient Israel when it worshiped the Baals, Ashtoreth and more. If we endure in doing right then consider this in 1 Peter 5:3-4 3nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Conclusion: In conclusion: Are we in the last days of America? We put our hopes for change in each new election and look for a better life which sometimes does come, but all too often for most people of the world strife continues and is often intensifies. Personally I am dismayed when politicians on either side of the aisle will say let us put aside the moral issues and focus on the economic issues. Societies continue to blend good and evil, even as in the days of the Book of Judges. Ancient Israel in the time of the Judges faltered and drifted away from God! But there is a great time ahead in the future. It says this in Ezekiel 11:18-21 18And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. 19Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. 21But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD. Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Thus heed the warnings and lessons from the Book of Judges.