Judges 2:10-23
It's not uncommon anymore to run into someone, especially someone younger, and have them tell you they've never been to church before. Now that seems odd to me because when I was growing up most every kid in my grade school or high school went to church at least once in a while. But as we see here in Judges 2:10-23, it doesn't take long for us as a family, a church group or a country, to move away from God and as a result lose our foundation and bearings. "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord, or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel" (vs. 10); "How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord's commands" (vs. 17).
So what does Judges 2:10-23 show you about falling away from the Lord and His teaching? What about the importance of teaching others, and particularly the next generation, about following God? How are you, or can you, take an active part in keeping God's Word at the forefront not only with your own generation but with the younger generation as well? Tami W.
So frightening to read this passage; my first thought was wondering just how God must feel about this present day generation! So "tolerant" of others that doing right in our own eyes seems acceptable to so many, sadly. People don't see the harm and the offense that God sees by this: and the wrath just builds! It reminds me of the analogy about boiling a frog: slowly increasing the temperature of the water keeps the frog oblivious until it's too late - his goose is cooked, so to speak.
In my home, I try to read the Bible stories with my girls and encourage them when older to continue doing so. Not as regularly as I would hope, though. Going to church weekly and discussing the readings also is another strategy. And sharing what I learn from the Bible studies here as well!
We as a people are no better than the people of Israel. We keep turning our backs on our God, Our Creator. If we claim we are a Christian society then we must preach the Gospel. We must own up to God and confess Him openly.
We need to bring back God in our lives, in our schools, in our homes in public places and if there are persons within those confines who do not believe in Jesus then they can have their quiet time with whomever they serve but America and other countries prospered by the grace of God and we must give thanks and praise. But because we have left Him out, then of course His anger is against us. Let us wake up and give thanks to the One and Only God, Our Creator, The Great I AM because there is No other god than the One I serve.
Let us all lift up in prayer, our countries and our people to the Father Almighty and ask for His grace, His mercy, His compassion and forgiveness and pledge our lives to Him.
Deuteronomy 6:7 "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy childrn, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up". (KJV)
Our God is an awesome God and "His merciful kindness is great towards: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD". Psalm 117:2 The earth belongs to God and not man. Pray without ceasing...
As I read these verses I realize how much trouble our children and ourselves are in. I realize that saying prayers with my girls before bed isn't enough, a good start but, still not enough. They need to hear from their parents how wonderful and powerful and gracious our god is. It also makes me sad to see that America was founded upon principles God set forth and to see that in todays society, over the generations people have forgotten that. They have forgotten that we have become one of the greatest nations in the world and it is all because of His mercy and grace, and to hear our president tell others we are not a christian nation brings a tear to my eye.
I see a very stern warning for us in the passage of vs. 16-23, and it is this: God is patient and slow to anger. When we choose to follow after our own desires and put God on the back burner, so to speak, he will provide a way to redeem us back unto Himself (v. 16), repeatedly (v.18). But, there comes a time when God tires of "bailing us out" and has no other option but to leave us to our own devices (v.21-22). Just take a close look at v.22 "...whether they will take care to walk in the way of the LORD as their fathers did, or not."---key words: "whether they will...OR NOT"!!!!!!! There comes a point that God's wrath is so agitated by our disobedience that his blessings are withheld whether we decide to repent or not, as a test or, from personal experience, as a much needed character-building session in order to redevelop the character needed to start anew. But don't stop there! There's hope, as the character of God's love is shown to us in v.23---key words: "...not...quickly...". This infers that God's blessings did (and will), in fact, at some point return, just not until the work of wrath is complete.
Hello,
I keep finding your shows amazing.
After listen to your show today, I need to understand some things.
Well, God is the only one God, right?
How these other gods came to existence?
If we are all descendants from Adam and Eve, and they only knew this only God?
How this other people knew these other gods?
Any help to understand this will be greatly appreciated.
Happy Free Thoughts...
Man started out on a sinful path at "the fall." That was when Eve was tempted by Satan in the Garden of Eden and Adam followed suit and they ate the forbidden fruit. Since then, there have been abhorrations created and incited by man, which are against the will of God. All sin is influenced by Satan, which was the founder of sin in man.
So to answer your question, man created these idols and other gods (or at least the idea of them), but this was influenced by Satan as he spun (and is still spinning) his web of deceit and lies.
God allowed Satan to tempt Eve in the Garden. I don't know why, but it happened, and because of that fall from grace, we are still to this day tempted by the sin that Satan incites in us.
But Eve was not tempted by Satan, If you read Genesis 3 1-7 it is a serpent, the craftiest of all creatures the Lord God created.
So Im still confused. We keep blaming Satan, but Satan didn't do a thing there.
Then I get the part that humans create gods, therefore we shoud not believe in gods created by the man.
Thanks foryour reply Joel.
Happy free thoughts.
We also have to remember that gods and idols are not only made by hand but we must also remember that we create idols by worshiping our money, our houses and other material things and forget that what God has given us we should be thankful and share with others.
This Bible passage makes me think of Jonathan Edwards, I think, famous sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."
Praise God that is word continue to bring light and life within us.This passage of scripture is so profound. As i read it the holy spirit had me put in context to our world now. We are so careful now as not to offend people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and remain silent or barely wispering it rather than shouting it on the mountain top. I have not done near enough to speack the word of the lord to my family members and friends. I often times allow the enemy to let me feel unworthy of sharing the gospel with others. I have a far way to go. I remember as a new christian i would pray daily for the Lord to send opportunities for me share the gospel with others daily but unfortunately i have not done that in a long time. Why? Sin. Our own sins can cripple us and drain us of the energy and boldness we once had. We now feel so unworthy to share his word with others.
Let this be our prayer daily that we will be given the opportuny to share the gospel daily and we will take up the opportunities. After all it is the greatest commandment to love the lord with our heart, soul and might therefore if we love him and know that he loves us then we would want to share that love with others.
May God bless you all.
Thanks again tami.
Shelly, I am right there with you. I also have stopped sharing Jesus like I had in the past. I have let what others have said and what they do not see or believe affect me and how I talk about God. I am not proud of that, but, I want to be fired up about God and His ways. I am determined to seek after God no matter what gets in the way. I trust God and His ways. His ways are wonderful and amazing! I encourage us both to hold our heads high and share Jesus with others. MY prayer for the both of us is to have opportunities to stand strong beside what we believe. I know God will give us the opportunities. Lord please help me to stand strong, please help Shelly to stand strong. Please Lord, give us the words to say. Lord I want to follow you and trust you. As you know Lord there are things that distract us and get us to question and doubt. Lord please help us all to stand strong, we can not do this on our own, we NEED your help Lord. Thank you Lord for helping us, in Jesus name, Amen.
Shelly, you can do this. You have before and you will again. Your not alone, God is with you ALWAYS:):)
I will be praying for you.
Everyone............we CAN do this!! God is with us, we can TRUST Him.
Have a good day!