Judges 1 (4/12/18)

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Judges 1 (4/12/18)

Power and Authority

April 12, 2018 • Benham Brothers

* The Israelites had ownership of the land but they did not possess it.
* They had the power and the authority, but they refused to walk in authority and use their power.
* They “could” not take the land because they “would” not.
* Why?
* 1) They were slothful and cowardly.
* 2) They were covetous - they wanted the Canaanites’ labour and money would do them more good than harm.
* 3) They pitied those who would lead them astray - they didn’t have the proper view toward the dangers of idolatry.
* 4) They didn’t truly believe they could defeat them.

Judges 1:19 (4/13/17)

April 13, 2017 • Benham Brothers

* Luke 9:1 - God has given us two things: * Power - the “ability” to do something. * Authority - the “right” to do something. * As Christians we have BOTH! * ** Side note - Judas had authority as well. * In Judges 1:19 we see that the Israelites owned all the land, but they didn’t possess all of it, so they couldn’t enjoy it. * They “failed” to drive them out because they “refused” to do it. * The Israelites had the authority and power to possess the entire land, but they didn’t. * Judges 1:27-36 - all of these tribes went from defeat to defeat. * We walk in defeat when we cease to walk in faith. * Judges 2:1-3 - the reason they couldn’t drive out the inhabitants - they hadn’t done their part by staying set apart from the people. * If we do our part God will do His part.

Judges 3:1 (4/12/18)

April 12, 2018 • Benham Brothers

* God turned the Israelites failure of driving out the Canaanites into something that could be positive. * For the Israelites who didn’t know how to fight it would teach them how to be warriors. * This is a picture of what we are to do with sin - drive it out! * This will require a FIGHT. * The Israelites had to learn to be militant and so do we.

Judges 3:17-21 (6/14/23)

June 14, 2023 • Benham Brothers • Judges 3:17–21

Proverbs 21:22 tells us that a wise man scales the wall of the mighty and tears down the stronghold in which they trust. A stronghold, in this sense, is any territory in which Satan has control. A wise man (those who have knowledge and understanding) does two things: He scales. He tears down. He knows how to get up and over the wall (he uses his talent and skill). His mission is to tear down the stronghold (he uses his strength). Here in Judges 3 we see Eglon doing just that. The Moabites were ravishing the Israelites, and something needed to be done. Ehud came up with a plan - it was two-fold, just like Proverbs 21 says. Vs 15-23 Ehud “scaled” by offering a gift to the king. This is how he got into the king’s good graces. But Ehud’s goal wasn’t to stay there and becomes buddies with the ruler. His goal was to take him out! That’s the second step - he killed the king! And in so doing, he tore down the stronghold that was keeping Israel enslaved. Too many people today are buddying up with the enemy (scaling the wall) but they have no intention on tearing down the stronghold the enemy represents. Ehud shows us a better way, and how he was rewarded with a position of leadership (vs 28) as a result.