WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:08.240 Amen. I'm pleased to have a seat. It is wonderful to be here this evening and it is great to welcome you to church. 00:00:08.380 --> 00:00:13.660 Tim, thank you so much for introducing me as the warm-up act to Charles Price at the Faith Mission. 00:00:14.580 --> 00:00:18.539 I've been called worse than my time, but it is great to be together. 00:00:18.580 --> 00:00:25.379 And I do hope that this time together is profitable and it's encouraging and up-building for us as God's people. 00:00:25.800 --> 00:00:29.460 As Tim said, we're beginning a new series this evening in the book of Judges. 00:00:30.359 --> 00:00:36.920 And the plan is that this series will take us through the summer and probably right through to the end of October. 00:00:37.320 --> 00:00:45.980 But before jumping into the book, I thought it would be a good idea for us to do a little introduction and a little overview to the book. 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:50.939 And to help us with that, you'll see there's a really useful handout and I think it's quite entertaining as well. 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:57.579 But the guys at the Bible Project, if you haven't got one of them, I'm sure if you stick up your hand, someone will get one to you. 00:00:57.579 --> 00:01:03.560 But just a really helpful and quite a witty and entertaining way to understand the book of Judges. 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:08.319 And hopefully that's going to be helpful to us as we try and think about the big picture. 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:16.659 And I guess my hope for this evening is that in our time together that we can get to grips with three things. 00:01:16.659 --> 00:01:20.819 Firstly, with the big picture of the book. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:24.780 We were out as a family yesterday. 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:27.019 We went to John Lewis. 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:29.060 If anyone's been to the new coffee shop. 00:01:29.060 --> 00:01:31.060 This is free advertising for them, but we'll go with it. 00:01:31.399 --> 00:01:33.659 The coffee shop at the top of John Lewis. 00:01:33.659 --> 00:01:43.280 They've opened up the windows at the front and you get this massive and quite spectacular panoramic view of the north of the city. 00:01:43.399 --> 00:01:46.120 So you can see the fourth road bridge at this end. 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:49.659 And you can trace it all the way and you see your landmarks all the way. 00:01:49.739 --> 00:01:50.439 There's Easter Road. 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:53.579 And then you get the Bass Rock, which is a way over here. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:56.519 You see the whole thing right in front of you. 00:01:56.640 --> 00:01:57.859 Kind of what we're trying to do this evening. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:01.179 See the big picture of this book of Judges. 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:04.280 It's content, it's divisions, it's characters. 00:02:04.800 --> 00:02:07.400 And I think most of all, it's big message. 00:02:08.300 --> 00:02:09.400 So the big picture of the book. 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:13.460 Secondly, trying to get to grips with the big questions of the book. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:19.580 I think it's the questions that we're meant to ask as readers as we read through this book. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:22.620 The questions that the author wants us to ask. 00:02:24.100 --> 00:02:28.800 And thirdly, to get to grips with the big answers that this book gives us. 00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:32.040 The big answers to those big questions. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:39.100 Now I realize that an overview of a book like this, when you're trying to tackle a massive chunk of biblical history, it's a big ask. 00:02:39.920 --> 00:02:42.680 But what a comfort that we have a big God. 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:50.700 So why don't we, just before we begin, why don't we pause and pray to him now and ask that he, by his spirit, would help us. 00:02:51.420 --> 00:02:54.360 And would be with us as we come together to study his words. 00:02:54.460 --> 00:02:55.420 Now here's what we're going to do. 00:02:55.880 --> 00:02:57.180 We're going to corporately pray. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:02.439 I thought it would be a great idea to pray some of the words from Psalm 119. 00:03:03.200 --> 00:03:03.900 Does that sound good? 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:05.780 So we'll make this our prayer for this evening. 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:10.060 So why don't you stand and let's read these words together. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:15.500 And let's make this our mindset and our prayer as we come to God's word this evening. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:18.879 So Psalm 119, verse 57 to 64. 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:21.740 You are my portion, Lord. 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:25.600 I have promised to obey your words. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:29.680 I have sought your face with all my heart. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:33.939 Be gracious to me according to your promise. 00:03:34.459 --> 00:03:36.879 I have considered my ways. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:40.000 I have turned my steps to your statutes. 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:45.199 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:48.740 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:51.240 I will not forget your law. 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:57.340 At midnight, I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 00:03:57.340 --> 00:04:00.939 I am a friend to all who fear you, 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:03.879 to all who follow your precepts. 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:07.039 The earth is filled with your love, Lord. 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:09.840 Teach me your decrees. 00:04:10.420 --> 00:04:10.740 Amen. 00:04:11.259 --> 00:04:11.960 Please have a seat. 00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:15.480 Now just to kick us off this evening, 00:04:15.580 --> 00:04:19.340 I wonder if anyone here has ever seen the program Grand Designs on Channel 4. 00:04:19.460 --> 00:04:20.180 Give me a show of hands. 00:04:21.400 --> 00:04:22.519 So this is a few years ago. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:24.500 There's quite a lot of us, by the way, if anyone hadn't noticed that. 00:04:25.400 --> 00:04:26.360 Alex and I went through, 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:28.379 my wife and I went through a stage a few years ago 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:29.680 when this was all we watched. 00:04:29.960 --> 00:04:31.060 When we had to spare half an hour, 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:33.900 an hour that we just watched Grand Designs. 00:04:33.899 --> 00:04:35.099 And if you haven't seen it before, 00:04:35.599 --> 00:04:37.060 it's basically a program about, 00:04:37.179 --> 00:04:39.079 it's normally a couple or a young family 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:42.620 who are moving into their dream home. 00:04:43.859 --> 00:04:47.560 Now, it normally transpires that they've lived in the city for a while 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:52.019 and that the family want to retreat to a slower pace of life, 00:04:52.099 --> 00:04:52.879 to the countryside. 00:04:53.159 --> 00:04:55.259 They want to own their little bit of countryside, 00:04:55.539 --> 00:04:57.379 complete with spectacular modern house. 00:04:57.459 --> 00:04:58.199 You'll see it there. 00:04:58.859 --> 00:05:01.159 Normally an eco-friendly house. 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:06.000 And the program follows that process from beginning to end. 00:05:06.200 --> 00:05:07.640 So it begins. 00:05:07.900 --> 00:05:09.280 You meet the couple. 00:05:10.340 --> 00:05:11.720 And you hear their thoughts. 00:05:13.220 --> 00:05:15.500 The beginning of the show, for our purposes tonight, 00:05:15.580 --> 00:05:16.920 we'll call them the Browns, okay? 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:19.140 So there's the Browns in their home. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:23.180 It's very hard to find a surname in a church that someone doesn't have. 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:24.180 But nobody's got Brown. 00:05:25.080 --> 00:05:25.900 So here are the Browns. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:27.520 They're interviewed at the start of the program. 00:05:27.640 --> 00:05:29.560 And we hear about their ambitious plans. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:32.660 And we see the sketches for their house. 00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:34.379 We meet the architect. 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:35.720 We hear the timescale. 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:37.939 And we have a little chuckle to ourselves as viewers 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:40.160 that these plans are unachievable. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:44.699 Well, over the course of the next 40 minutes or so of the program, 00:05:44.840 --> 00:05:47.920 these plans, they become a reality. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:52.639 And the Browns are all settled into their new home. 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:55.620 So picture the final scene of the program. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:59.379 The camera focuses in on the Brown family. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:00.439 And what are they doing? 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:04.399 They're waving at the camera from their cozy new living room. 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:07.579 And the camera, they're still waving, zooms out. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:10.079 And you see the upstairs of the house. 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:13.300 And you see the beautiful garage on the side. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:15.060 And the camera continues to zoom out. 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:18.680 And you see the solar panels that are on the roof. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:21.519 And you see the exquisite windows. 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:23.920 And you see the pristine grass. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:27.199 And you see the hedge that is so beautifully trimmed. 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:29.300 And you see the glorious country views. 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:31.879 And you see the golden lab running around in the garden. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:37.860 And it's the perfect ending to the perfect beginning. 00:06:39.540 --> 00:06:40.340 Credits roll. 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:44.459 Now, you're an avid watcher of Grand Designs. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:50.379 So much so that you actually watch not just Grand Designs, but Grand Designs Revisited. 00:06:50.739 --> 00:06:53.039 There is this program called Grand Designs Revisited. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:59.719 And the show that takes you back to visit projects from previous episodes and to see how things are going. 00:07:00.819 --> 00:07:02.719 So you're watching Grand Designs Revisited. 00:07:02.979 --> 00:07:05.859 And lo and behold, tonight's episode is the Browns. 00:07:06.659 --> 00:07:08.919 So we're going back to meet the Browns five years on. 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:11.160 And so the camera crew are really excited. 00:07:11.400 --> 00:07:13.900 And they follow the presenter up the drive. 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:15.240 And there he goes. 00:07:15.340 --> 00:07:16.379 He knocks on the door. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:18.879 But the door is off its hinges. 00:07:20.280 --> 00:07:21.939 And he pushes it back. 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:25.280 And he finds the house in utter disrepair. 00:07:26.340 --> 00:07:27.700 The windows are smashed. 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:30.939 Those expensive solar panels on the roof are cracked. 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:33.560 The pristine garden is now full of weeds. 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:40.680 In fact, the beautiful pristine hedge is now so overgrown that you cannot see that beautiful country stride view. 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:43.180 It is total chaos. 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:47.959 And the presenter, he clocks Mr. Brown in the corner sitting in his armchair. 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:52.899 And he looks over to the kitchen and he sees Mrs. Brown as she's doing her daily duties. 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:55.540 And are they hugging one another? 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:56.899 Are they exchanging pleasantries? 00:07:56.899 --> 00:08:01.219 No, actually they are shouting aggressively at one another. 00:08:02.679 --> 00:08:04.959 And the presenter, he takes it all in. 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:08.859 And he pans to the camera, turns to the camera and he says, 00:08:09.179 --> 00:08:11.259 How did it all go so wrong? 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:20.420 Well, the book of Judges is a little bit like our imaginary episode of Grand Designs. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:25.740 And of the book of Judges, this is how I try to imagine it. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:31.279 If it was a newspaper article, the headline would read how it all went wrong for Israel. 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:34.960 And this is a tragic book. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:41.540 And I think the reason that it's so tragic is that it got off to such a promising start for Israel. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:46.920 If you've got it there, you might just want to turn to chapter 1 of Judges. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:50.040 We're not going to get into chapter 1, but it's maybe just useful to have it open. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:56.780 Because as we hit chapter 1 of Judges, I think it's going to be useful for us to backtrack just a little bit 00:08:56.780 --> 00:09:01.420 and very quickly trace God's promise through the Bible story. 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:11.459 So God chose Abraham and God made Abraham a promise of a people and a place. 00:09:12.199 --> 00:09:15.399 And Abraham and his family become the people of Israel. 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:18.559 And as we trace that story down through the generations, 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:20.479 these are just some of the characters we meet. 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:21.319 We meet Isaac. 00:09:22.099 --> 00:09:23.279 And we meet Jacob. 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:25.099 And we meet Joseph. 00:09:25.439 --> 00:09:29.079 And the people of Israel eventually find themselves in Egypt. 00:09:29.079 --> 00:09:30.439 But are they free in Egypt? 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:32.919 No, they're slaves in Egypt. 00:09:34.579 --> 00:09:38.539 And God raises up Moses, who leads Israel out of Egypt. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:43.099 And under his leadership for 40 years, the people find themselves, 00:09:43.599 --> 00:09:47.219 having wandered in the desert for a while, on the cusp of the promised land. 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:50.639 But it's not Moses who takes them into the land. 00:09:50.719 --> 00:09:52.559 It's Joshua who takes them into the land. 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:59.000 And as Israel's new leader, Joshua is the one who leads the people into the land that God had promised them. 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:01.360 And they defeat their enemies. 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:02.620 And they take the land. 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:08.840 And we see at the end of the book of Joshua that Joshua divides up the land for the tribes of Israel to take and live in. 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:13.600 So that was a very quick trace of the Bible story. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:18.340 But here are God's people in the place that God had promised. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:25.120 And whilst not being without its hiccups, I think the big message of the book of Joshua, as we read it, 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:29.500 is that God has been faithful in keeping his promises. 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:37.019 And it's interesting that as you read the book of Joshua, it seems like there are two big battles raging. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:43.759 The physical battles, there are the battles with the Canaanites, the people who are living in the land. 00:10:43.940 --> 00:10:44.919 The physical battles. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:50.679 But as you approach the end of the book, and particularly as you read the speeches of Joshua, 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:56.620 it strikes you that as well as there being a physical battle, there's another battle going on. 00:10:56.620 --> 00:11:08.460 The physical battle may be won, but the spiritual battle, it well and truly rages on in the hearts and in the lives of the people of Israel. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:13.779 And Joshua leaves the people with a pivotal decision. 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:20.879 This is Joshua coming to the end of the book of Joshua. 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:22.220 This is what he says to the people. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:26.180 Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:33.679 Throw away the gods your ancestors worshipped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:42.159 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:49.320 Whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:53.620 But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:57.220 Joshua urges them. 00:11:57.820 --> 00:12:00.000 Now that they are in the land, what do they need to do? 00:12:00.060 --> 00:12:02.259 They need to choose life. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:03.560 How do they choose life? 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:05.580 By choosing God. 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:07.379 Do you see what he's doing there? 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:10.139 He's reminding the people of God's generosity. 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:14.379 The grace that God has shown them countless times before. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:16.580 In saving them from slavery. 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:22.200 Of giving them his law and bringing them to this land. 00:12:22.939 --> 00:12:26.559 And so he calls them to turn away from the Canaanite gods. 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:32.659 And to be faithful to the covenant and to this God by being faithful to his law. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:37.240 And if they do that, there'll be life and blessing in the land. 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:44.500 But if they don't, then Israel would experience God's judgment just as the Canaanites did. 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:47.840 And they'll be kicked out of the land and into exile. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:54.980 And the question that as a reader you're left asking at the end of the book of Joshua. 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:59.500 Is what will Israel choose? 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:03.500 What will Israel choose? 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.659 Will they choose obedience? 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:08.779 Or will they choose disobedience? 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:16.539 Will they drive out the people living in the land with their false gods and their detestable practices? 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:20.740 Or will they compromise and become just like them? 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:26.059 I think that's the first big lesson that we're going to learn in the book of Judges. 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:28.480 Is that choices matter. 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:31.299 Choices matter. 00:13:31.419 --> 00:13:34.039 And in particular, I think obedience matters. 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:36.000 Doing what God has said. 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.399 Following his words. 00:13:39.339 --> 00:13:41.919 Now I wonder this evening how you view obedience. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:48.000 It's not a popular concept in our modern day society. 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.360 We begrudge authority. 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:53.059 We instinctively hate it when other people tell us what to do. 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:56.599 I think of this every time I'm on a plane. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:58.579 I don't know if you find this. 00:13:58.659 --> 00:13:58.979 What is it? 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:03.939 The plane lands and stewardess or whoever it is comes on the tannoy and says, 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.319 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Edinburgh. 00:14:06.719 --> 00:14:09.519 Please, we're not quite into our final destination yet. 00:14:09.619 --> 00:14:11.659 Our landing spot. 00:14:12.359 --> 00:14:14.579 Please, can you please keep on your seatbelts? 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:21.440 Please, please don't turn on your mobile phones until the captain has switched off that fasten seatbelt sign. 00:14:22.520 --> 00:14:25.379 And no sooner has she finished saying that, then what happens? 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:29.000 The people get up and they get their luggage. 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:34.759 And you can see at the end of the, what's this, the cockpit? 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:36.980 That they're so annoyed. 00:14:37.520 --> 00:14:38.240 So annoyed. 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:40.000 We begrudge authority. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:43.879 Obedience matters. 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:50.639 And I think when it comes to our Christian life, I think it's always good when we're talking about obedience to remember two words. 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:52.740 The first word is grace. 00:14:54.220 --> 00:15:00.480 That the God of the cosmos, the creator of all, the creator of us, that he would make himself known. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:04.179 And that he would give his people his word. 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:08.700 His perfect word to guide them in good paths and lead them in safe paths. 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:12.660 There's this God who had rescued them, not because they deserved it, but because he was compassionate. 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:15.259 That he saved them. 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:16.220 He gave them his word. 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:19.460 And he said, this is how I want you to live, because I love you. 00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:21.120 That's grace. 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:24.600 I don't obey because I have to. 00:15:24.680 --> 00:15:26.200 I obey because I get to. 00:15:26.280 --> 00:15:27.320 This God is brilliant. 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:28.320 Obedience. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:31.460 A famous old hymn by William Cowper. 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:41.060 To see the law by Christ fulfilled, to hear his pardoning voice, changes a slave into a child and duty into choice. 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:44.020 Obedience means grace. 00:15:45.260 --> 00:15:47.300 And the second word is graft. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:54.599 Obedience is a choice to stop myself, my wayward heart that so often wants to go that way. 00:15:55.319 --> 00:15:59.139 I bring myself back to obey God's law and go that way. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:01.899 To say no to self and yes to God. 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:03.299 That is graft. 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:09.000 As D.A. Carson writes, people do not drift towards holiness. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:15.139 Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate towards godliness. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:20.139 Prayer, obedience to scripture, faith and delight in the Lord. 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:27.039 I think on a side note, that's how Joshua always strikes me at this point in the narrative. 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:31.359 A man who knows grace and a man who knows graft. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:35.100 He's a Psalm 34 kind of guy, isn't he? 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:39.159 That he has tasted and he has seen that the Lord is good. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.759 And what does he declare? 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:43.039 Is he sitting on the fence with this choice? 00:16:43.180 --> 00:16:43.440 No. 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:48.700 As for me and my household, you may choose to go that way, but we are going this way. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.779 We are serving the Lord. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:58.740 But the question still stands, what will Israel choose? 00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:05.039 And you have to say that as we open the book of Judges, and maybe you want to turn to verse 1 of chapter 1 now. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:13.740 And as we read of Joshua's death, they were encouraged to read at verse 1 that the people, what did they do? 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.440 Do you see it there? 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:16.740 They inquired of the Lord. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:19.920 They spoke to him. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.660 They asked him. 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:23.200 Now, that is a positive start, we have to say. 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.460 And that is a solid bookend. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:30.299 But have a look at the end of the book. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:33.220 Chapter 21 and verse 25. 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:42.759 Because by the end of the book, the very last words from the author and the very last taste in the mouth for the reader, 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:49.000 we read that phrase that encapsulates everything that went wrong during this time. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:52.880 That in those days there was no king in Israel. 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:57.600 And everyone did what was right in their own eyes. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:03.719 So as we approach chapter 1, here is the family in the house full of potential and hope. 00:18:04.179 --> 00:18:09.939 And yet by the end of the book, here we find the family home and the family in absolute chaos. 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:14.059 How did it all go so wrong? 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:17.419 It's the big question that we'll ask ourselves as we journey through this book. 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:26.000 As Israel is a slide into idolatry and continue to time and time again choose disobedience. 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:35.060 And continue to choose to blatantly disregard God's word and become just like the people of Canaan who they're supposed to be driving out. 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:38.779 And if those are the two bookends of this book, 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:44.800 then really the rest of the book is just Israel's journey from there to there. 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:52.899 Now, I'm very conscious of stepping on people's land as it were when we step into this book. 00:18:53.019 --> 00:19:00.399 But let me just paint for you the big picture divisions which I think are so helpfully illustrated in this handout. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:06.299 So chapters 1 and 2, which start so positively as we've just seen, 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:08.519 give us the seed of the problem. 00:19:08.639 --> 00:19:09.940 They give us the root problem. 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:15.160 And this problem is going to snowball and it's going to dog Israel for the rest of this book. 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:19.360 This is the presenting issue of disobedience. 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:24.340 This is where it rears its ugly head, right at the start of the book. 00:19:25.580 --> 00:19:28.100 And we see it and he will bring it home next week, I'm sure. 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:32.380 The tribes, as they try and settle in the land, as they try and take this land, they disobey. 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:38.420 Beginning with Judah, verse 19, who seem unable to drive out the people. 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:45.060 And culminating in Dan, who, verse 34, seemed to be on the back foot straight from the off. 00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:49.300 How does God feel about this disobedience? 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.680 Chapter 2, verse 2. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:59.380 Having restated his goodness and his covenantal love for them, we'll hear the fixation in his voice. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.580 What does God say? 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.860 Why have you disobeyed me? 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:07.779 It's the voice, isn't it, of a disappointed parent. 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.400 I've found myself doing it recently. 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:12.720 Why have you disobeyed me? 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.779 Why have you done this? 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:22.779 As we progress through the book, the next major chunk is this perpetual cycle. 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:25.980 And we see it play out again and again in chapters 3 to 16. 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:28.480 Again, so helpfully illustrated on the handout. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:34.660 But also illustrated for us by the author, verses 11 to 19 of chapter 2. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:36.079 Maybe just useful to note these down. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:38.599 You can refer to them and look at them afterwards. 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:41.619 And this is almost the template cycle. 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:45.419 That we are to recognize. 00:20:45.719 --> 00:20:49.179 And the pattern that we'll see unfold in the following chapters. 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:52.039 And really it's a five-step cycle. 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:59.179 And as steps, I think we can all, we can categorize as beginning with the letter S. 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.059 So step one, we get sin. 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:04.099 The people sin against God. 00:21:04.239 --> 00:21:05.779 They rebel against him. 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:07.500 They disobey what he said. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:09.859 And step two, slavery. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:13.700 God judges them and he delivers them into the hands of their enemies. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:17.500 Step three, the people say sorry. 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.339 They repent. 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:21.400 The people cry out to God to save them. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:27.539 And God in his goodness and by his grace, he hears a people who have absolutely no right to his ear. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.839 Step four, saved. 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:36.140 God raises up for his people a judge who will act to save them. 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:40.640 Now a judge in this book isn't someone wearing a gown and a wig. 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:42.840 The judges here are deliverers. 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:48.000 They're almost mini saviors, if you like, who will act to save God's people from their slavery. 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.880 I'll meet 12 of them throughout this book. 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:53.860 Some get a lot of air time like Shamgar and Tola. 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:56.160 Sorry, don't get a lot of air time. 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:59.560 While others get a lot of air time like Gideon and Samson. 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.380 There's 12 of them. 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:09.520 In fact, Samson, who is the last judge that we meet in the book, he embodies all that is wrong with Israel. 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.280 He's a man of pride. 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:15.340 He is a man who willfully and blatantly disobeys God. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:19.980 It's interesting when you read that story of Samson. 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:24.299 How often the author brings our attention to his eyes. 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:25.940 You can maybe read it when you go home tonight. 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.099 It's his eyes. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:30.059 That Samson's eyes are his downfall. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:33.700 Because what Samson sees, Samson wants and Samson gets. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:39.620 In fact, I heard it said recently that the best thing that ever happened to Samson was when the Philistines ripped out his eyes. 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:45.279 But God raises up judges to save his people. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:47.039 And this is step five of the cycle. 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.759 Silence. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.799 Or rest. 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:55.480 That is for a while until the disobedience merry-go-round. 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:57.500 It starts all over again. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:03.000 And the thing for us to see about this cycle is it's a downward spiral. 00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:08.480 Each passing cycle, and there's six of them, things get worse and worse. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:14.779 And actually the judges that God raises up for Israel become more flawed as we progress through this book. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:19.380 And by chapter 17 we get the closing chapters, which to be honest are really grim. 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:26.880 And they describe for us just how deep this sin problem is in Israel. 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:30.000 And we read of a polluted people. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:33.940 A people who have lost all sense of morality. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:36.500 A people who are even fighting among themselves. 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:41.920 Who are supposed to be this light to the nations round about of how good and glorious their God was. 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:45.700 And we close with those words that we saw. 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:48.279 Verse 25 of chapter 21. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.440 In those days there was no king in Israel. 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:54.180 And everyone did what was right in their own eyes. 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:59.900 And the question we're left asking at the end of this book is, 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:03.140 how did it all go so wrong? 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:09.180 And I guess that leads us as readers to ask another question. 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:14.259 I think this is the second big question that we're invited to ask as readers. 00:24:14.560 --> 00:24:16.940 And that's to ask a poignant question. 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:20.720 The first question is, how did it all go so wrong? 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:26.460 Then the second question has to be, how can it all be made right? 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:31.319 What's the solution to Israel's problem? 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:37.860 Well, I think we can quite categorically, even tonight, say what the answer is not. 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:41.700 The answer is not Israel getting its act together. 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:51.200 For if this book teaches us anything, it's that we are not to look in-house for a solution to the sin problem. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:56.660 Israel are a wayward people and they need a saviour. 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:02.680 And I think that's why, if we're going to identify with anybody in this book, 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:05.500 then it's got to be the people of Israel. 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:08.920 It's got to be God's wayward people. 00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:11.840 Because I don't know about you, but I know my own heart. 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:17.559 And I know that left to my own devices, I would be wandering all over the place. 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:19.619 But what is it for God and His grace? 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:24.899 Like them, we are living in a pluralistic place. 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:27.899 And God calls us as His people to radical obedience. 00:25:29.419 --> 00:25:35.519 And God calls us as His people to make His glory known to the people and the world around us. 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:37.459 But how often do we get that wrong? 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:42.900 Like them, we do not have the answer to our sin problem. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:49.000 So is there anywhere then that we can look for any kind of glimmer of hope in this book 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:51.180 before we write it off, before we even start it? 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:54.680 Well, praise Him that we can look to God. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:57.779 I think that's the third big lesson that we learn from the book of Judges. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:00.880 Is that God is faithful. 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:03.299 God is faithful. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:09.099 We'll see it time and time and time again that Israel sin, Israel fall, 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:11.559 and they cry out to God to save them. 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:14.940 And God hears them and delivers them time and time again. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:19.779 Not because they deserve it, but praise Him that God is compassionate 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:22.559 and He has pity on His wayward people. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:27.379 And because He is true to His promises that He made to Abraham. 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:29.960 God is faithful. 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.619 That's why we began this evening by singing, 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:33.279 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.879 O God, our Father. 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:39.599 It's really interesting in this book that outwith the description of the judges 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:42.819 that God will raise up for His people that are described in chapter 2. 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:49.079 That God is actually the only one who is expressly referred to as a judge in this whole book. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:52.740 As if to say that there is only one hero in this book. 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:55.180 And He is not a man. 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.659 He is divine. 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.940 God is faithful. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:04.160 That is the first glimmer of hope that we see shining all through the book of Judges. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:10.019 And we find the second spark of hope in the very final verse of the book. 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:13.400 Which although we've read it just a few moments ago, 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.820 although filled with regret, 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:19.600 actually provides the clue to Israel's hope. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:23.619 And the note that I want to leave us on this evening, 00:27:23.719 --> 00:27:25.099 and this is where we'll come into land, 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:27.699 is that God is faithful. 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.919 And how is God faithful? 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:32.800 God will provide Israel with a king. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.380 What do Israel need? 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.180 Israel needs a king. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:39.220 Israel needs a leader. 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:43.120 And not just any king and any leader. 00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:46.560 The hope is not simply in the title of the king. 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:49.259 It's not just about putting any person on the throne. 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:53.960 The hope for God's people is in the heart of the king. 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:58.220 If the stinging report at the end of the book of Judges 00:27:58.220 --> 00:28:02.539 is that everyone did what was right in their own eyes, 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:06.380 then what Israel need most of all is a king. 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:10.039 And what we need most of all is a king 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:13.420 who will do what is right in God's eyes. 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:17.500 Israel needs a godly leader who's going to come 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:19.519 and bring them back to God, 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:21.600 lead them in true repentance and obedience. 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:25.279 And seek to lead them in being everything 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.799 that Israel was supposed to be, 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:28.859 a shining light to the surrounding nations, 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.619 displaying the glory of their God. 00:28:30.719 --> 00:28:32.240 This is what Israel needs. 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.919 They need a king. 00:28:34.459 --> 00:28:35.959 It's the kind of king that we read about 00:28:35.959 --> 00:28:37.259 in Deuteronomy 17. 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.959 If you maybe want to check that out later. 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:42.119 God outlines the description of this king. 00:28:43.199 --> 00:28:45.899 And we see it in Deuteronomy 17. 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:49.159 God's king, his heart is not going to be taken up 00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:50.019 by many horses. 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:52.539 His heart is not going to be taken up 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.859 by chasing many wives. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.819 It's not going to be taken up 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:56.139 by chasing silver and gold. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.599 No, the heart of God's king, 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:03.519 his heart is going to be set on doing God's law, 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:08.099 writing it down, reading it, obeying it, 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:10.279 and leading the people in doing the same. 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:13.660 So very counter-cultural, isn't it? 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:16.740 What do the nations round about Israel look for 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:18.279 in a king, they look for strength? 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:22.400 What does God tell his people to look for in a king? 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:24.059 Guy who's good with the swords? 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.440 No. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:28.180 A guy who is good with God's words. 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:31.140 This is the kind of king that Israel needs. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:35.339 And on that level, we can see that 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:38.539 Judges is an apologetic for King David. 00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:40.440 It is paving the way for him. 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:43.120 The very next book, the chronical order, 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:45.100 is Ruth written at the time of Judges, 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:47.120 which ends with the genealogy of King David. 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:50.039 But when we see it in the context 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:51.500 of the whole Bible story, 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:53.779 and I know there's no way that the author of Judges 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:55.320 could have possibly foreseen it, 00:29:56.340 --> 00:29:58.259 actually Judges points us towards 00:29:58.259 --> 00:30:01.320 the ultimate David and the true king of Israel, 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:02.860 Jesus Christ. 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:04.959 You see, in one sense, 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:07.259 that he is the ultimate judge. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:09.159 He is the ultimate deliverer 00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:11.240 who God will raise up to save his people. 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:13.899 And he is the ultimate king, 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.179 the one who will lead Israel 00:30:15.179 --> 00:30:17.379 in true obedience to God's words. 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:21.459 And even right at the end of this, 00:30:21.979 --> 00:30:23.899 this terrible end of the book of Judges, 00:30:23.959 --> 00:30:26.359 where we read of this quite spineless man 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:28.159 who gives up his spouse to death 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:29.659 in order to save his own skin. 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:33.860 I can't help but think of Jesus 00:30:33.860 --> 00:30:37.100 who would display the complete opposite mindset, 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:40.660 and actually who would hand himself over 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.860 to wicked men 00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:45.480 in order to save the skin of his people. 00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:49.740 You see, Israel need a king. 00:30:50.560 --> 00:30:52.019 Israel need a true judge. 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.900 Israel need an ultimate savior. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:58.100 Judges, it points us to 00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:59.679 our need for a savior. 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.079 Judges points us to 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:03.679 the kind of savior that we need. 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.099 And ultimately, 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:07.079 Judges points us 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:08.119 to Jesus. 00:31:10.199 --> 00:31:12.279 And as we close our time together this evening, 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.379 I guess that's my prayer 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:15.639 as we journey through this book 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.799 over the next few months, 00:31:16.959 --> 00:31:19.480 that as we see Jesus Christ, 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.819 that we would long for him more, 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:23.059 that we would savor him more, 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:24.779 that we would be inspired 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.839 to live for him more, 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.939 and ultimately, 00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:29.139 that we would love him more. 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.539 So just as we close, 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:33.339 why don't we stand once again, 00:31:33.459 --> 00:31:34.519 and let's read those, 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.359 well, let's close, rather, 00:31:36.439 --> 00:31:38.220 with these words from Psalm 119. 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:39.599 So this is just following on 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:41.399 from where we left off earlier. 00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:43.439 And as we think, 00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:44.879 we've thought tonight about obedience, 00:31:45.159 --> 00:31:46.799 as we've thought tonight about God's words, 00:31:46.879 --> 00:31:47.799 why don't we close 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:50.980 with these great words from Psalm 119. 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:52.039 Let's stand together. 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:57.920 Psalm 119, verses 65 to 72. 00:31:58.579 --> 00:32:02.519 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, 00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:06.099 I keep your precepts with all my heart. 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:09.579 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:12.099 but I delight in your law. 00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:15.480 It was good for me to be afflicted, 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:18.119 so that I might learn your decrees. 00:32:18.119 --> 00:32:22.579 The law from your mouth is more precious to me 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:26.500 than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. 00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:29.000 Do good to your servant, 00:32:29.439 --> 00:32:31.079 according to your word, Lord. 00:32:31.899 --> 00:32:34.599 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:36.739 for I trust your commands. 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:39.339 Before I was afflicted, 00:32:39.379 --> 00:32:40.399 I went astray, 00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:43.379 but now I obey your word. 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:45.480 You are good. 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:47.960 And what you do is good. 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:50.620 Teach me your decrees. 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:51.520 Amen.