Day 45 Reading Schedule: Joshua 24, Judges 1-4

Joshua 24: Joshua's Recollection and Death 

[Summary]

This chapter records Joshua's last sermon and his death. Before his death, Joshua recalled God's help and blessings that had been given to them from the time of Abraham to the conquest of Canaan (verses 1-13). He then exhorted the people to serve only God and declared blessings and curses. The people swore to obey God's words, and Joshua took a large stone as a witness (verses 14-28). After this, Joshua died at the age of one hundred and ten, and Eleazar also died after him (verses 29-33).

Joshua sensed that his end had come and made his last will and testament as the leader of Israel in Joshua 23. This chapter continues with such wills, and after he finished his will, the scene where he took his last breath is introduced. Joshua, who did not neglect his efforts to devote himself to God and the people until the very end, is enough to be an example to all the workers of the Lord today.

Judges 1: Conquest of Canaan and Failure

[Summary]

This chapter records the Israelites' beginning to conquer the land of Canaan after the death of Joshua. After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Judah and Simeon went out to conquer Canaan for the first time, conquering Adoni-Bezek and taking Jerusalem and Hebron (verses 1-10). At that time, Othniel took Caleb's daughter Achsah as his wife for his merit in defeating Kiriath Sepher, and the descendants of Moses' father-in-law also took the southern region of Arad with the tribe of Judah (verses 11-21). Meanwhile, the tribe of Joseph conquered Bethel, but the other tribes failed to completely conquer the Canaanites living within their own territories (verses 22-36).

Under the leadership of Joshua, the war to conquer Canaan and the division of land among the tribes of Israel were concluded. However, this did not mean that Israel had secured all of the land that God had promised. There were still unconquered areas scattered throughout. Therefore, even though Joshua died, Israel had to finish the conquest project he led and sleep. This chapter introduces the conquest project led by the tribe of Judah, the spiritual leader of Israel, and the conquest projects of other tribes. Meanwhile, the unconquered natives scattered throughout the land of Canaan tormented Israel throughout its history. Likewise, sins that are not completely erased will torment us throughout our lives and try to plunder our souls.

Judges 2: Israel in the Early Period of the Judges 

[Summary]

This chapter mentions the rebellion of Israel that continued after the settlement of Canaan. In fact, this is the content of the entire book of Judges. The angel of the Lord appeared and rebuked the tribes of Israel for not completely destroying the Canaanites (verses 1-5). However, after the death of Joshua, the new generation who did not know him did not believe in God and fell into Canaanite idolatry, and received God's judgment (verses 6-15). Nevertheless, God showed them grace and sent judges to save them. However, Israel's rebellion against God continued endlessly as they rebelled again whenever there was even a little peace (verses 16-23).

Even though Israel entered the land of Canaan that God had promised, they were unable to completely conquer it. As a result, Israel had to experience the pain of suffering from the natives that they could not drive out throughout history. God rebuked Israel for their disloyalty and reminded them of the blessed value of obedience by reminding them of the time of Joshua, when they had obeyed His word. And God, who loved Israel so much, raised up judges for Israel as proof that He had not abandoned Israel. Nevertheless, Israel repeatedly fell into the abyss of sin.

Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar

[Summary]

This chapter records the heroic judges who led the period of Israel's judges that lasted for about 350 years. God left the Canaanites behind to warn the Israelites of their faith, but Israel intermarried with them and worshipped idols (verses 1-7). As a result, God's wrath came upon them, and God again raised up Othniel, Caleb's nephew, as a judge to save them (verses 8-14). After that, Israel committed evil again and was persecuted by the Moabites. Israel repented to God, and Ehud, a left-handed judge appointed by God, killed the Moabite king through a trick and saved Israel. After that, Judge Shamgar was active (verses 15-31).

Despite Israel's failure, God pushed forward his plan to save humanity through them to the end. In particular, God used the fact that the Israelites suffered throughout history because they did not completely complete the conquest of Canaan and left enemies behind to fulfill His holy will. In other words, He was unfolding His plan to refine Israel into a more mature and godly nation. God uses human failure to accomplish His glorious purpose.

Judges 4: Jabin and Deborah, Bala and Jael

[Summary]

This article deals with the story of Deborah, a unique female judge among the judges of Israel. After the death of Judge Ehud, the Israelites again became corrupt and rebelled against God, and were oppressed by Jabin, the king of Hazor (verses 1-3). At this time, God raised up the prophetess Deborah as a judge and saved Israel (verses 4-10). Barak, the son of Abinoam, who was commanded by Deborah, defeated Sisera and won a great victory (verses 11-16). Sisera, who was defeated in battle, fled to the house of Heber the Kenite, but was killed by Heber's wife Jael. After that, Jabin, the king of Hazor, was also killed, and the people of Hazor were completely destroyed (verses 17-24).

As the Israelites entered the stage of settling in Canaan, they gradually lost the strong will and brilliant spirit of the early days of the conquest war. They were satisfied with reality and compromised with the surrounding Gentiles, which ultimately led them to fall into corruption and crime. As a result, Israel had to suffer invasion and oppression from the Gentiles, and every time this happened, Israel cried out to God to escape the crisis. In this way, Israel was a truly shallow believer who sought God only for their own needs.