Judges 1

Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.”  So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” vv.1-3

Read chapter 1

Does the word judge sound scary to you?  Like this is a book of rules and dictatorships?  Well let's change your mind to what the Bible's definition of who a judge is and what he or she does.  A judge in scripture is someone who is to set things right and then rules, as well as oversees military matters and administrative authority.  As you read of the thirteen judges, take note on their character and role and the aftermath because of their "judging."

Joshua has now died and they have no one main leader and that's where we see the book of Judges take place.  Without leaders people "do as they think good in their own eyes," a phrase we will see often throughout this book, but will follow a leader as they step up.  

In the first chapter things seem to appear to start off well as they continue to seek the Lord and hold to what Joshua commanded them to.  The tribe of Judah is chosen to go up first to fight against the Canaanites.  Judah, the strongest tribe, asks Simeon, the smallest tribe, to go with them that they may help one another out.  I love that picture of the stronger helping the weaker that both then become stronger.  Ought we to do likewise with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Are you a stronger believer, who can you seek to strengthen?  Are you a weaker believer, how can you not let yourself be intimidated by stronger believers?