Session 8

Consequences

Judges 2:11-23

Memory Verse: Judges 2:10

After Joshua’s death, Israel fell into a cycle of sin, judgment, confession, and restoration.

We should never underestimate the value of
strong, effective leadership.
Conversely, it’s wise to prepare for and protect against a void in leadership.

Nowhere does this ring true more
than during the period of biblical history recorded in
the book of Judges.
Following decades of faithful, godly leadership,
Moses and Joshua were gone.
Meanwhile, the time of kings was still
a few centuries away in Israel’s future.
So, God bridged this gap by
raising up a series of regional judges,
ordinary people He used in extraordinary ways.
Their job wasn’t easy,
as the people they led usually preferred
following their own carnal desires than
to remain dedicated to the Lord.
Yet, despite the nation’s long list of repeated offenses,
God remained faithful and forgiving.

Ask:

• What factors might cause people to break their commitments,
• and how can we guard against this in our own lives? (PSG. p. 73) Discuss responses.

FIRST THOUGHTS

Intending to do well doesn’t always result in something being well done.
We recognize this to be true regarding the people of Israel
when Joshua died and the era of the judges began.
Before Joshua’s death, the Israelites insisted they would be faithful
to the Lord and never worship the gods of the Canaanites.
However, as soon as Joshua and the elders
who served alongside of him died,
Israel broke their promise and suffered
the consequences of their infidelity to the Lord. (PSG, p. 73)

ENGAGE

Background:

This session represents a shift from the book of Joshua to the book of Judges.
While the theme of Joshua’s story was a wholehearted devotion to God,
the theme for Judges is a cycle of
sin, judgment, confession, and restoration.

Explain:

From “Understand the Context” (PSG, p. 74)
Provide more information:

“The Israelites were not supposed to make agreements
with the Canaanites and coexist with them, but they did.
Because of their sins, the angel of the Lord confronted Israel
with a declaration of judgment. .

As soon as Joshua and the elders who served with him died,
a new “generation rose up who did not know the Lord
or the works He had done for Israel” (2:10).
This generation abandoned the Lord and began
worshiping the gods of the surrounding peoples in Canaan.
Instead of ridding the land of the Canaanites,
Israel became like the Canaanites.
As a result, whenever the Israelites went out to war,
the Lord was against them
and caused them to be defeated (2:15).”

Transition:

The book of Judges focuses
on the cycle of sin of the Israelites-
and the rescue God provided through His judges.
This session starts with evil on the part of the Israelites.