Judges 1

(Judges 1:1) 1 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?"

After Joshua’s death, Israel people still ask for God and God replied to those people’s question. In the end of Joshua, it talked about that the Israel people made an agreement to serve God only. When Joshua and elders who know God were still alive, the Israel serve God (Joshua 24:31). Israel people are ready to receive the promise of land’s grace. However, after they live in the Cannan. Their sprit life disappears and were no longer devoted to faith. After Joshua and elders died, the Israel leadership was in a vacuum and plunged into anarchy. Israel people cannot enjoy a free and prosperous life, but enter the dark age of national history.

(Judges 1:21) But the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; so the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

(Judges 1:27) However, Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.

(Judges 1:29) Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; so the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.

(Judges 1:30) Nor did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants of Nahalol; so the Canaanites dwelt among them, and were put under tribute.

(Judges 1:31) Nor did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, or Rehob.

(Judges 1:33) Nor did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth Anath; but they dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land. Nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were put under tribute to them.

In the next few short verses, the conversation began to change, describing that most of the tribes did not implement Joshua’s will which is to drive out the residents of that place (Joshua 23:5). Incomplete removal of evil often leads to tragic endings. We must be careful not to compromise with evil.  Judges talked about the crimes committed by the people of Israel, and the consequences of their crimes. No matter how light the crime is, it will affect everyone. Starting from Achan’s love for fine clothes and gold and silver and now they have not driven out the local residents. All fell into sin; simply put, the reason for the rapid decline in the spirituality of the Israelites was sin---the sin of the individual, the sin of the nation. Unwilling to completely obey God, unwilling to annihilate the local enemies, and later even intermarried with the locals and worshipped idols, each did whatever they wanted.

Soon after, the people of Israel oppressed by enemy. They seek God in pain. Because of compassion and love for the people, judges were raised to save them, and the Israelites enjoyed peace. But they healed their scars and forgot to hurt them, disobeyed God, and started another cycle. Reading the Judges, in addition to understanding the heroic deeds of the judges, we should also pay attention to their process of relying on God and their obedience to God's commands.

(Joshua 3:6) Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

Translated by 余姿瑩

 

As for Me and My Family, We will Serve God (Joshua 24)

 (Joshua 24:15) And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Religion can be said as something that will become a lifestyle for you after you believe in God. Everyone starts seeking the real God at different times. Some people start to find God when their lives become desperate. Some people know God because their parents tell them about this true God, and pass this faith to them. This is to tell us that God's divinity and eternal power are knowable. Everyone should take the chance to know this true God in heaven.

God chosen Joshua to be a spiritual leader, when his life came to the last part, he told God's chosen people” I am going the way of all the earth (Joshua 23:14). Joshua encouraged people that they must follow true God. Look back at how God led them out of the Gentile land from the Pola River, help them to get away from not believing the one true God. Now they enter Canaan, this is God's grace. Joshua not only encouraged the people but lead as an example telling people that he and his family will believe in Jesus the true God. Telling his whole life's religion and show that his expectation on his descendant, that they only believe in this true God.

(Acts 16:29-30)
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

There was a jailer who was mentioned in the Bible. He was once desperate because there was an earthquake which cause all the jail doors opened. All the prisoner's chains were opened. The jailer woke up and saw all the doors were opened. He thought that all prisoners escaped. He was about to kill himself but God's grace appeared to him. Those prisoners did not escape. God arranged two of his workers Paul and Silas to sing in jail. They did not escape. Seeing them like that makes him realize that this is grace from God. He humbly asked how to be saved. This grace also appeared to his family. His whole family accepted the baptism of forgiveness and became very joyful.

This precious faith cannot be only for oneself. We need to pass it from generation to generation. We need to use "home" as the unit. The whole family believes in God. People who are reading this article. We sincerely invite you, grasp the time to accept the baptism of the blood of the Lord Jesus, serve and worship the only true God. To our church members. The whole family belief in the Lord is our goal. The whole family believing God, worshiping God is our life benchmark. The book Joshua is a chapter talking about the passing of religion. Now we have finished this book, hoping that all of our readers will keep this precious faith, follow God's way. Hope that all of our readers can be like Joshua: As for me and my family, we will serve God.

(Psalm 71:17-18) 17 O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. 18 Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

Translated by 余姿瑩

Joshua 23

(Joshua 23:6-8)

6 Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

7 and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,

8 but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.

 

According to God’s promise, God will let the new generation go into Canaan. They experienced the dry land of the Jordan River (Joshua 3) defeated the Canaanite nations (Joshua 6-12). Looking back, we can know that these all are miracles made by God. If God didn’t be the marshal of the Israel people. People were slaves to Egyptians. Who has the faith to pass through the terrible weather wilderness? Who have the confidence to beat those Anakim, who was much taller than them and protected the cities of Canaan? Who can take the responsibility to take care of Israelites and lead them to the land of Canaan?

(Joshua 23:14) "Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed

                                                           

God is justice and loves people. He will protect his sheep but only if his sheep follow him.

When Moses and Joshua were leaders, when they inheritance positions from other people they have been told repeatedly, "You should be careful and follow God’s words".

When the people were in Egypt, God already commands Moses that they cannot worship idols as Canalise did. They need to follow God’s words and God will help them to beat the enemy. (Exodus 23:22-33)

Before Moses died, he told Joshua that he needs to be alerted and follow the decrees and laws. Because this is related to the life you will live longer by God’s guidance. (Deuteronomy 32:44-47)

 

Finally, before Joshua died, he told the people that they shouldn’t worship other gods, don’t be associate with Canalise and follow God and love God with all their heart and not walk sideways. (Joshua 23:6-8)

God will only protect the sheep who follow His command. Smart sheep will listen to the shepherd, it wouldn’t walk sideways. Listen to the shepherd’s instruction can never go wrong. If a sheep follows its shepherd, they will always be food and water although they might be some difficulty if it listens to the shepherd’s voice, it will finally find a restful waterside.

Joshua was once timid, so God once told him confidently: Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua:1 6-9) So at this moment, Joshua decided to stand up! Because he experiences God’s love and learns from his teacher Moses how God lead the people to get out of the wilderness. Follow God forever and not walk sideways. The only way to save your life is to be baptized and enter the sheepfold. Learn from Moses and Joshua that you need to listen to a shepherd, follow God’s instruction, and love God with all your heart.

(Psalm 91:14-16) 14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."

 Translated by 余姿瑩