Judges Chapter One, The Failures Of Men...
In our study of the book of Judges, we look at the deep decline of Israel from being led by God to self rule. The book tells the history of Israel from the death of Joshua to the age of the prophets.
Judges 1:1
"After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, 'Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?'" NIV translation
After the death of Joshua, the people looked to God for their guidance. This is a good thing as that is what God had planned for them. Life in the promised land was to be led by God being with the people. He has led them to victory over the Canaanites and they were established in the land. The challenge facing them at this time was to occupy (dwell) in the land. God had given them the land but they had to grab ahold of it and get rid of those that were already there.
As Christians, we have God with us through the Holy Spirit as we dwell in this world. This is our promised land and we are being prepared for the new heaven and new earth.
Judges 1:2 & 3
"The Lord answered, Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands.' The men of Judah then said to the Simeonites their fellow Israelites, 'Come up with us into the territory allotted to us, to fight against the Canaanites, We in turn will go with you into yours.' So the Simeonites went with them." NIV translation
When they inquired of the Lord, the answer was that Judah was to go forth and that God had already given them the victory. Instead of believing that and trusting in the Lord, they went to their fellow Israelites for help. Although this may sound like a good thing, it was not because they did not trust in God.
As Christians, we often do the same type of thing as we seek the counsel of men instead of acting on the word that God has already given to us. If we are in Christ, then, He has already given us the victory and the ability to dwell in this world with Him as our guide. Our fellowship with other Christians is a good thing to build us up and to encourage us but it is through the strength of God that we can glorify Him in our walk.