1. The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges A Study of the Book of Judges Lesson 2 Judges 1:1 – 2:5 Living With the Enemy August 23, 2009 1

2. Introduction A “Non-introduction” (Dale Ralph Davis)
My approach in this message
Provide necessary background information
Take a closer look at several events in our text
Connect the dots: What is the message of our text?
Application

3. Necessary background information
The interpretation of Judges should be based upon what has gone before (especially Deuteronomy and Joshua), and what comes after (1 & 2 Samuel).
We must take into account the difference between “take” and “possess.”
A past victory (“take”) in Joshua may require a subsequent conquest (“possession”), as at Jebus/Jerusalem.
Israel fought as a nation under Joshua; now they are to possess their inheritance as individual tribes (with a few exceptions).
The possession of the Promised Land was never intended to be quick; it would take time.

4. A look at selected events in our text
Our text begins after the death of Joshua, after these Israelites participated in the events of Joshua 23 and 24.
A look at selected events in our text
Israel’s request for guidance and God’s answer (1:1-2).
The defeat of Adoni-bezek (1:3-7)
Caleb, Othniel, and Achsah (1:11-15).
Living with the Canaanites (1:16-36)
A divine rebuke (2:1-5).

5. Connecting the dots: What’s the message?
Note the repetitions.
Note the trends or sequences (progressions or regressions).
Comparing the beginning with the end.
Where and why did the Israelites fail?
What should Israel learn from these failures?

6. What is the message and application for today’s Christian?
Failure comes gradually and almost imperceptibly.
Failure may even look like success.
Failure may even appear to be justified.
Failure is limiting God’s work to what appears possible.
How can we discern failure/sin?
How do we deal with the fact that we are no longer commanded to be isolated from the heathen, but are sent to live among them?

7. Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh
Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint
presentation of Lesson 2 in the series, The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges,
prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for August 23, Anyone is at liberty to
use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.