Title: Voluntary Faith 1/Judges 1:1-36
Contents
Willing Faith 1/Judges 1:1-36
When a person does something, there is a clear difference in the results of the passive work that is forced to do and the active work that one does voluntarily. There is no joy in doing something forced, there is joy in doing it voluntarily. Therefore, when we do the work of God, we should do it willingly and with pleasure.
In today's sermon, we are going to think about what kind of results the Israelites had when they tried to fight with the Canaanites, and what results came when they refused to fight. Think about a time when you volunteered to fight today.
In today's text, the Israelites were about to fight. Then let's take a look at the fighting stance for a few weeks.
1. I voluntarily tried to fight. (Verse 1)
“Who of us will go up first and fight the Canaanites?” In the context of these verses, the Israelites fought with the Canaanites, but they did not originally intend to fight. did you never He was willing to fight on the side of the Israelites.
According to the Bible, the people of Israel did not have the heart to do God's work, but there were many times when God or a certain leader appeared and rebuked and urged them to do so.
How are we today? Think deeply about whether you are doing it because of the advice or direction of others or if you are doing it yourself.
Today, let's look at the case of forced labor instead of voluntarily and consider the text.
In Joshua 18:1-3, among the tribes of Israel, there were seven tribes that had not yet received an inheritance, and these seven tribes had no intention of fighting with the Canaanites for an inheritance. ("How long will you delay to go to take the land the LORD has given you?") As a result, the descendants of Benjamin in verse 21, Manasseh in verse 27, Ephraim in verse 29, Zebulun in verse 30, Asher in verse 31, Naphtali in verse 33, and Dan in verse 34 did not fully acquire the inheritance God had given them even after Joshua died. Why? This is because they were forced to fight to win the company rather than voluntarily.
According to 2 Kings 11:21-12:8, Joash, the 8th king of Judah, ascended to the throne and ordered the priests to repair the temple. However, the priests procrastinated and made excuses from one excuse to another, leading to the 23rd year of King Joash. Having been dragged for 23 years, he procrastinated without repairing the temple for a considerable period of time. Then, in 2 Kings 12:7, when King Joash was severely rebuked, the repairs began. This was not voluntary, it was compulsion.
In Zechariah 3, the Israelites returned from Babylon and returned to Jerusalem to begin building the temple with joy and excitement. However, when the foundation of the temple was being built, the construction of the temple stopped due to the interference of the enemies, and 15 years passed. Then, after receiving the rebuke and urging of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the construction began and the temple was completed. It was good that the temple was completed, but this time, it was forced, not voluntarily. Should we be forced to do God's work?
Even in the book of Jonah, Jonah did not go to Nineveh voluntarily, but went by force and preached God's judgment, but there were many complaints about God. This is also not desirable.
Now let's look at verse 1 of the text. Joshua. Like in the days of King Joash, Haggai, and Zechariah, who did not do God's work and procrastinated, and then, after being rebuked and urged by a certain leader, he moved as a result? no. At that time, the Israelites were willing to fight. As a result, Judah went up first and defeated Canaan and was victorious. You have received the inheritance God has given you. This is the true blessing the Bible speaks of.
Many people are willing to do bad things, but often do good things by force. But we are God's children, ordained of God's blessing. Therefore, let's enjoy God's delight and complete precious blessings with our willing faith.
May you always win and be filled with joy and grace.