Failure of Judah Part 8a of 8 (series: Lessons on Judges)

by John Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

27 (Jos 15.63) “As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.” Apparently, according to Judges 1:8, 21 and II Samuel 5:6, the Israelites set fire to the lower city of Jerusalem, but the Jebusites maintained the stronghold of Zion. The strategic location of Jerusalem (described by the psalmist as “beautiful for situation,” Ps 48:2) made it difficult to conquer. Unto this day is striking evidence that this book was written prior to David, who conquered the Jebusite city and made it Israel’s capital (II Sam 5:6–10).
28 Valley: should be rendered lowland or Shephelah; the foothills lying between the coastal plains and the Judean mountain range. During the period of the Judges, the Philistines occupied the coastal plain, and the Israelites occupied most of the Judean Mountains. And the Shephelah was the scene of constant fighting between the two.
29Nether: lower;located in a low or lower position or under something
30 Southern: The southern area refers to a specific area known as the Negeb or Negev. This semi-desert country begins a few miles south of Hebron. Beersheba serves as the principal city of the Negev as it did in antiquity.
31 (Joshua 10:36) “And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:”
32 (Joshua 11:21) “And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.”
33 (Joshua 15:13) “And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.”
34 Apostasy: renunciation of faith: the renunciation of a religious or political belief or allegiance; Many of the Israelites turned from God to worship idols and the gods of their neighbors.
35 (Ps. 68:17) “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.” The chariots of God are thousands upon thousands of angels; and they surround the Almighty God in His holy place, both with reference to the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle on Mount Zion and God’s throne in Heaven.
36 (Phil. 2:20, 21) “20For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” They are constantly seeking after their own affairs. All without exception were striving after, looking for, and searching for their own things. Paul does not say they are not saved, but they are not so self-sacrificing as Timothy. Some will help only when Christ’s gain is compatible with their own. So few have a genuine dedication to Christ and an unselfish devotion to His church. Not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. It is possible to be an admired and eloquent speaker and yet be a self-seeker, using God’s gifts for personal aggrandizement, and not sincerely. These were not pursuing Christ’s interest and glory, but allowing their own interests to interfere. Therefore the Philippians should appreciate Timothy all the more.
37 (Josh. 15:16–19) “16And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. 17And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. 18And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? 19Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water.”
38 (Num 14:24) “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.”
39 (Num. 13.22, 28) “22And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)…28Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.”
40 Debir—the town of Debir was a center for culture for the Canaanite people. It is called the “town of books.” I guess the library was there.
41 (Nu 24:21, 22) “21And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwelling place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. 22Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.”
42 (Ex 2:21) “And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.”
43(II Sam 5:6–9) “6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. 9So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.”
44(Deuteronomy 34:3) “And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.” Looking to the north, he could see the Jordan Valley and the city of Jericho with all of its palm trees.
45(1 Chronicles 2:55) “And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.”
46 (Jeremiah 35:1) “The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying.”
47 (Num. 21.2, 3) “2And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. 3And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.”
48 (Num. 10:29) “And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.” At the beginning of the march, Moses attempted to secure the services of his brother-in-law to act as a “wagon-master” guide for the people. It is not certain whether he accepted this offer or not. However, the context of Judges 4:11 would indicate he did not.
49(Num. 10:32) “And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.”
50( Jos 11:4-9) “4And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. 5And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. 6And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. 7So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. 8And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. 9And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.”