Walking in the Way

Thursday, August 20, 2015
Judges 2:16-23 NIV

16 Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the LORD's commands. 18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. 20 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and said, "Because this nation has violated the covenant I ordained for their ancestors and has not listened to me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. 22 I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their ancestors did." 23 The LORD had allowed those nations to remain; he did not drive them out at once by giving them into the hands of Joshua.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After Joshua's death, the children of Israel became increasingly rebellious against the Lord and His hand was heavy upon them causing them much distress. What did the Lord do to save His people from their ways? (v.16)
2) What did the people of God do, despite the Lord's provision for them? (v.17)
3) What did the Lord continually do to deliver His people from their enemies and how did His people continually respond to His provisions? (v.18-19)
4) What was the Lord's response to their continual rebellion? (v.20)
5) What did the Lord purpose to do to His people instead of delivering them? Why? (v.21-23)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What "enemies" are you presently facing in your life (e.g., financial, relational, marital, or health challenges)? 
7) What, if anything, are you doing to eliminate those enemies from your life?

LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord allows His people to be tested to determine if we will continue to obey His will or do as we please.
9) When we refuse to accept the Lord's correction, He will allow our "enemies" to remain in our lives.