The Cycle of Forgetfulness and the Faithfulness of God

Judges: The Cycle of Forgetfulness and the Faithfulness of God

  1. The grief of God.

1 The Angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim, and he said, “I brought you up out of Egypt, and I brought you to the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, ‘I will not break my covenant with you, forever. 2 As for you, do not make a covenant with the people living in this land. You must tear down their altars.’ But you did not listen to my voice. What is this you have done? 3 So I say, ‘I will not drive them out before you, but they will be traps for you, and their gods will be a snare to you.’ ” (Jdg 2:1–3)
20 Those twelve stones that they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 He said to the people of Israel, “When your children in the future ask their fathers, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 you shall teach your children, ‘On dry land Israel crossed over this Jordan.’  23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan in front of you until you crossed over, just as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up in front of us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth would know that the hand of the Lord is strong, so that you would fear the Lord your God always.” (Jos 4:20–24)
All the people who came out of Egypt had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey after they had come out from Egypt had not been circumcised. (Jos 5:5)

Theories About Why the Israels Had Not Practiced Circumcision in the Wilderness:

  • _______ himself may have __________________ this sign of his covenant.

  • The ___________________ connected with desert _____________ put a stop to circumcision.

  • _____________, not the Lord, _______________ the practice after the rebellion because, in light of God’s anger, circumcision would have been out of place until his judgment on the rebels was complete.

Circumcision was a visible sign (Ex 17:11) of God’s _______________ to send a _____________, born of the ___________.

[The Lord said] “The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised by removing the foreskin from his flesh, that person must be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant.” (Ge 17:14)
Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you.” So the name of that place is Gilgal to this day. (Jos 5:9)

Gilgal means _____ _________ ___________.

Bokim means _______________.

… the commander of the army of the LORD” (Jos 5:14a)
Take your sandals off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy. (Jos 5:15a).
… Judah could not take possession of the land belonging to the people who lived in the valleys and lowlands, because they had iron chariots. (Jdg 1:19)

Article V Church Membership, Section 2 Privileges and Responsibilities

  1. Our God has given us his Word, the one thing needful (Luke 10:42), which alone can save our souls and tell us how to live a God-pleasing life (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Consequently, members of his church will consider it a distinct privilege and a responsibility to

  • Hear and receive the Word of God diligently (Luke 11:28).

  • Provide and promote opportunities for Christian education (2 Peter 3:18).

  • Bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)

  • Share the gospel with all people (Acts 1:8)

  1. Our God has given us two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, which are means that our Lord uses to bring his grace to us. Consequently, members of his church will

  • Have their children baptized early in life, for "baptism now saves you also" (1 Peter 3:21).

  • Frequently partake of Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), if they are recognized as such who can properly examine themselves (1 Corinthians 11:28). Only those in our confessional fellowship of faith are permitted to commune at our altar. (Close Communion—1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; Romans 16:17).

  1. Our God has given us the privilege and responsibility of being managers over a certain portion of his estate and assures us he will graciously bless our faithful management (2 Corinthians 9:6). Therefore members of his church will under grace

  • Continually remember that all their possessions, time and abilities are really a trust from God.

  • Cheerfully decide in their hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7) the portion of their possessions and time and abilities which they will regularly devote to the Lord for use in carrying out that which the congregation has made its concern, not omitting the work of the church-at-large (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; 1 Peter 4:10).

  • If eligible, become voting members and regularly attend the voters' meeting and lend the congregation their counsel and aid.

  1. Our God has implanted within us Christians the new man, who desires to live righteously (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24). Consequently, members of his church will

  • Not live in obvious acts of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:19-21), but lead a Christian life (Galatians 5:22-25).

  • When they have erred, permit themselves to be admonished and corrected by their fellow Christians in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-18.

  • Refuse to hold membership in any organization whose teachings and practices conflict with the Word of God (e.g. lodges) (John 5:23; 8:31,32; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

No testing has overtaken you except ordinary testing. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability, but when he tests you, he will also bring about the outcome that you are able to bear it. (1 Co 10:13)

Tim Keller: The root of our disobedience is essentially _______________ to remember who _______ is. And the reverse is true-for as long as we _________________ who he is, we will serve him ____________________________, radically, and joyfully.

4 When the Angel of the Lord spoke these things to all the people of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept loudly. 5 They named that place Bokim, and they sacrificed to the Lord there. (Jdg 2:4–5)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. God reminds Israel of his faithfulness: “I brought you up out of Egypt… I said I will not break my covenant with you, forever.” Why do you think God begins with his faithfulness before addressing their unfaithfulness? How does remembering God’s past faithfulness help us when we’ve failed?
  3. The people named the place Bochim (“weeping”). How might times of grief over sin become a starting point for spiritual renewal rather than despair? Can you share a time when God’s correction led you to deeper trust in Him?
  4. Looking at both Judges 2:1–5 and Luke 19:41–44, what do these passages teach us about God’s heart toward his people when they turn away?
  5. How does seeing God’s grief change the way we view sin and repentance?

Read: Judges 2:3-4