Bible Study Guide/ Judges 1, (7-BSG-1Y)/ Theme: Four Essentials to Victory/ Hymn: Faith is the Victory [Author: John H. Yates]

Key Text: “Now after the death of Joshua, it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed, I have delivered the land into his hand.” (Judges 1:1–2, NKJV)

Reflection: Israel began well in this chapter by asking God to show them who should be ‘the first to go up and fight against the Canaanites’ (1:1). Yahweh responded: Judah would lead the attack, and He also assured them that He would give the enemy into their hands! So, they went to work —and fought in the hills (1:9–15), on the southern lowlands (1:16–17), and in the coastal regions (1:18). Their strategy was successful because “the LORD was with them” (1:19). Here are a few devotional points:

[1] The first secret to victory is Prayer. Right before Joshua died, he challenged Israel to rededicate their lives to God and renew their covenant (their commitment) to God. Read Joshua 24:15–16; 19–24. The people accepted the challenge and decided to obey and follow the LORD.

[2] The second secret to victory is God’s Word and Assurance: “Judah shall go up. Indeed, I have delivered the land into his hand” (verse 2). God not only answered Israel’s prayer but spoke to them and gave them His Word and the assurance of victory. Beloved, we always begin well when we consult the omnipotent, omniscient, sovereign Living God of the Universe. Seeking God’s wisdom and will is always the best place to start any plan, project, or decision in our life.

[3] Service is the third secret to victory –helping weaker brothers (verse 3). The tribe of Judah led the attack against the enemies. But before the tribe launched the battle, an alliance was formed with the weaker tribe of Simeon. There is wisdom in combining forces to attack the common enemy.

[4] The fourth secret to victory is Obedience (verse 3b). The soldiers of Simeon joined Judah. The two tribes marched forth together to drive out the enemies who sought to enslave and destroy them. The picture here is obedience: they obeyed God!

Devotional Implication: “Failure at some point in your life is inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable.” (Joe Biden, US President). In this intro section of the chapter, we have the prescription for success and victory. In this life, we will face many temptations, trials (illness, accidents, loss, depression, loneliness, emptiness, hopelessness), and even death. How can we be overcomers? How can we conquer these things? First, through Prayer! We must earnestly seek the LORD, and that “seeking” must be demonstrated by our trusting obedience and dependency on Him – (Mt 26:41; Jn 15:7; James 5:13; 1 Jn 3:22). Yahweh, through prophet Jeremiah, sums this ‘seeking’ this way: “And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, NKJV)

Secondly, Obedience to God. Christ taught us, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). Beloved, God is not impressed by lip service. He demands obedience from the heart –(from the inside out). Professing “Lord, Lord” without first obeying Christ simply breaks the Third Commandment (Ex. 20:7). And in case we forgot, Faith and Works go hand in hand — works without faith are dead, and faith without works is dead. Read –(James 2:17-18, 26; Mt 5:16; Heb 11:6; Tit 1:16).

Thirdly, God’s Word must be our GPS – “a guide to our feet and a light to our path” (Ps. 119:105). “You are already clean,” Jesus told the eleven true disciples, “because of the Word which I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3). That “Word of Christ” (Col. 3:16) is instrumental in every believer’s initial cleansing at salvation (Rom. 1:16). God’s Word continually purges, prunes, and cleanses the believer. Two chapters later, Christ adds, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17). The psalmist affirms, “Your word” Oh God, “I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). “The teaching of [God’s word] gives light, so even the simple can understand.” (Psalm 119:130, NLT) Let me also add that since we are fighting against real enemies in the spirit world, we desperately need special equipment –(offensive and defensive)- to help us win the battle against Satan and all evil forces. Beloved, let us take advantage of God’s word, “the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11–12, 13-16, 17-18).

The Last component to living a victorious life is Service—helping weaker believers. Jesus instructed Peter, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:32, NKJV) After we have been through the severest temptation and trial of life and experienced the enduring character of saving faith, we, in turn, must be “a strength to our weaker brothers” in Christ. We must strengthen and encourage them on their walk with the Lord.

God’s call to every believer is service: serving and ministering to other people: “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1–2, NLT)

Have a Good Night: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9–10, NKJV)