Man's Fickleness and God's Faithfulness
Man’s Fickleness and God’s Faithfulness
Judges 1-5
“When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.”
For the next 400 years, the cycle would be repeated over and over again. Even though God blessed Israel and gave them victory over their enemies and possession of the land, the people continued to abandon God and turn to the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth. Baal was the male deity of the Canaanites, and the worship of him was marked by depravity. In their belief, Baal was the son of the chief god, El. Ball would eventually gain power as the highest god by usurping El and setting himself up as the chief god. He, along with his consort, Ashtaroth, was seen as the god who sustained the fertility of crops, animals, and people. Part of the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth included temple prostitution and human sacrifice, especial children, to appease them so that they might provide rain to water their crops, strength to defeat their enemies, and fertility to produce children. Because they embraced Baal, the Canaanites were condemned by God as a society that was so depraved that they were to be destroyed by Israel as executors of His judgment. However, rather than carrying out God’s command, the Israelites embraced the gods of Baal and Ashtoreth, including the incorporation of temple prostitution and human sacrifice. As a result, God would discipline Israel by bringing foreign invaders to defeat and subjugate the nation. After their defeat, the people would cry out to God for deliverance. In His patient mercy, God would send leaders to lead the people politically, militarily, and spiritually. Through their leadership, they would restore the nation to the worship of God so that the people would experience a time of blessing, prosperity, and peace. Over and over again, for the next 400 years, the cycle of idolatry, discipline, deliverance, and peace would repeat itself. By the end of the Book, we are left with the question, “How could Israel fail to learn from their sin and the discipline of God?”
As we marvel at the fickleness of Israel in their worship of God, we see a mirror of our hearts. Often, we are like Israel, not in the worship of Baal, but in the forsaking of God when we enjoy periods of prosperity. When life is difficult, we cry out to God for deliverance. Yet, after his deliverance, we quickly forsake God and pursue the gods of prosperity, self-indulgence, and moral perversion. Instead of living counter-culture and standing firm in the truth of God’s word, we embrace the prevailing morality of our culture, driven by the winds of pleasure and personal gratification. We readily accept the sexual immorality permeating our society and the worldview of our culture. Ultimately, we demonstrate the same moral inconsistency that the Israelites exhibited.
Yet, despite our unfaithfulness, God remains faithful. Even when Israel continued to repeat the cycle over and over again, God still delivered them over and over again. In this repeated act of grace, we see the depth of God’s love on full display. We see the truth that God, in His mercy, brings adversity into our lives to correct, not punish. The book of Joshua serves to illustrate what the book of Hebrews affirms, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and he scourges every son whom He receives…He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness” (Hebrews 12:5-10). God remains faithful in His love for us. When God brings adversity into our lives, it is because of His love and His desire to conform us to His image by correcting us in our sin. When we go through difficulties, instead of accusing God of being unloving, we need to look to God to see what He desires to change in us so that we might walk in fellowship with Him and reflect His character in our lives.
Judges 1-5
“When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.”
For the next 400 years, the cycle would be repeated over and over again. Even though God blessed Israel and gave them victory over their enemies and possession of the land, the people continued to abandon God and turn to the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth. Baal was the male deity of the Canaanites, and the worship of him was marked by depravity. In their belief, Baal was the son of the chief god, El. Ball would eventually gain power as the highest god by usurping El and setting himself up as the chief god. He, along with his consort, Ashtaroth, was seen as the god who sustained the fertility of crops, animals, and people. Part of the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth included temple prostitution and human sacrifice, especial children, to appease them so that they might provide rain to water their crops, strength to defeat their enemies, and fertility to produce children. Because they embraced Baal, the Canaanites were condemned by God as a society that was so depraved that they were to be destroyed by Israel as executors of His judgment. However, rather than carrying out God’s command, the Israelites embraced the gods of Baal and Ashtoreth, including the incorporation of temple prostitution and human sacrifice. As a result, God would discipline Israel by bringing foreign invaders to defeat and subjugate the nation. After their defeat, the people would cry out to God for deliverance. In His patient mercy, God would send leaders to lead the people politically, militarily, and spiritually. Through their leadership, they would restore the nation to the worship of God so that the people would experience a time of blessing, prosperity, and peace. Over and over again, for the next 400 years, the cycle of idolatry, discipline, deliverance, and peace would repeat itself. By the end of the Book, we are left with the question, “How could Israel fail to learn from their sin and the discipline of God?”
As we marvel at the fickleness of Israel in their worship of God, we see a mirror of our hearts. Often, we are like Israel, not in the worship of Baal, but in the forsaking of God when we enjoy periods of prosperity. When life is difficult, we cry out to God for deliverance. Yet, after his deliverance, we quickly forsake God and pursue the gods of prosperity, self-indulgence, and moral perversion. Instead of living counter-culture and standing firm in the truth of God’s word, we embrace the prevailing morality of our culture, driven by the winds of pleasure and personal gratification. We readily accept the sexual immorality permeating our society and the worldview of our culture. Ultimately, we demonstrate the same moral inconsistency that the Israelites exhibited.
Yet, despite our unfaithfulness, God remains faithful. Even when Israel continued to repeat the cycle over and over again, God still delivered them over and over again. In this repeated act of grace, we see the depth of God’s love on full display. We see the truth that God, in His mercy, brings adversity into our lives to correct, not punish. The book of Joshua serves to illustrate what the book of Hebrews affirms, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and he scourges every son whom He receives…He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness” (Hebrews 12:5-10). God remains faithful in His love for us. When God brings adversity into our lives, it is because of His love and His desire to conform us to His image by correcting us in our sin. When we go through difficulties, instead of accusing God of being unloving, we need to look to God to see what He desires to change in us so that we might walk in fellowship with Him and reflect His character in our lives.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
April
A Call to HolinessOpportunity or FailurePride and HumilityA Talking Donkey and a Prophetic JackassTransitions and EmpowermentThe God of JusticeThe Danger of Spiritual ForgetfulnessObedience and the Danger of ComplacencyThe Most Important DecisionThe Test of a ProphetHOLINESS AS A WAY OF LIFEThe ChoiceThe Faithfulness of God and the Fickleness of Man
May
Fear and FaithVictory and DefeatThe Justice and Mercy of GodThe Long Term Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyMan's Fickleness and God's FaithfulnessGod's Power on DisplayUnlikely HeroesThe Danger of Self-delusionThe Grace and Holiness of godThe Danger of Cultural AccommodationThe Failure of Disobedience20/20 Spiritual VisionWhenn Life Does Not Go as PlannedFaith, Fear, and Divine ProtectionGod's Sovereignty and Humanh FrailtyA Lesson in God's Holiness and Grace
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of Significance
Categories
no categories
No Comments