Judges 1:1-10 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying… I. A GREAT LEADER DEAD, AND LIFE'S DUTIES AS PRESSING AS EVER. 1. Let who will and what will pass away, our own work only passes with our own life. 2. The advancement of God's purpose is dependent on no life in particular. 3. Great lives are sometimes removed that other lives may better feel their responsibility and cultivate their strength. II. HUMAN DIRECTION SUDDENLY FAILING, AND DIVINE GUIDANCE SPECIALLY SOUGHT. 1. Prayer prompted by the removal of long familiar light. 2. Prayer over unfulfilled commandments. 3. Prayer provoked by gathering dangers. 4. Prayer for God's appointment of our post in life. 5. The realism of prayer to every true-hearted suppliant. III. AN EMINENTLY FAITHFUL PAST DEMANDING A NO LESS VIGOROUS FUTURE. Judah had already done well. He who has done well in the past is under perpetual obligation to do no less well in the future. God also chooses those for new duties who have best served in the past. IV. GOD SPECIALLY CHOOSING SOME OF HIS SERVANTS, BUT LEAVING THEM LIBERTY TO SEEK THE HELP OF OTHERS. 1. The benefits of co-operation. What one cannot do, two can. What one can only do with difficulty, two can do easily. 2. The limits of co-operation. Judah might only seek aid from his own brethren, not from idolaters. V. THE LORD'S CALL TO GREAT DUTIES FOLLOWED BY HIS RICH BLESSING ON THOSE WHO SEEK FAITHFULLY TO PERFORM THEM. "The Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand." 1. God calls and sends none of His servants in vain. 2. God's blessing answers to His own promise of blessing. 3. God's blessing satisfies His people's highest hopes. (F. G. Marchant.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? |
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