When Easy Life Leads to Spiritual Demise
When Easy Life Leads to Spiritual Demise
The Opening Scenes of the Book of Judges
We’re facing an era of crisis spiritually and morally around us. I’ve seen many posts on social media from Christians alluding to the concept that we are finally living in the final days; wrapped within is the idea that we’re to buckle up or hide out and wait for the Lord to take us away. Yet, when I read Jesus’ words, I find that he wants to find us working when he comes.
I ask you now to face the current crises and face them squarely. We’re here because we have a spiritual enemy who wants to shame our God and separate as many people from him as possible. We’re also mired in them because the people of God chose the path of least resistance; quite like the children of Israel did after the victories they experienced with Joshua.
Join me in hovering over the last two chapters of Joshua and the first three chapters of Judges and observe how this life lesson plays out.
In tandem with our powerful God, Joshua’s forces conquered the Promised Land and drove out the inhabitants. The land was divided among the tribes and families received their portion. Still, there was work to do. There remained adversaries living in the outer regions, the corners of Israel’s inheritance. The responsibility fell to each tribe to clean house.
It was in this final stage that the well-oiled machine began to hiccup, stall, and, too quickly, break down. The fighting grew difficult, and the Lord’s people accepted compromises. Now, they weren’t bad arrangements – Israel forced their enemies to work for them – to make life easier for them. The potential trouble was still around, but “under control.”
It wasn’t long before curiosity about good looking guys and girls, and the “spiritual connections” of the foreigners began to grow strong. Diversifying options is something deep inside the human heart. God’s people began to disregard their Creator’s warnings. The remainder of the book of Judges fleshes out the summary found in chapter two.
A most intriguing section overlaps the chapter break from two into three. Our Lord went on strike. He was no longer willing to help his people to easily defeat their enemies. However, a purpose statement stands out in the first four verses of chapter 3.
The Lord God left the enemy nations in place so that the young people who had no battle experience would learn how to fight. Yes, that is exactly what it says. Recall with me Israel’s task to conquer the promised land; God could have done the “beam me up, Scotty” bit and placed his people in their new homes – but he chose another route, one that included warfare.
Like it or not, our Holy God is interested in the character qualities that are formed in his people when we face adversity, both on defense and on offense. Which leads to the verse that is virtually verbatim in Joshua 24 and Judges 2. “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.” (24:31; 2:7)
A significant part of their experience with God was in conflict against foes; beginning in Exodus 17, rolling through kings named Sihon and Og, and culminating in conquering the promised land. The lessons were to continue, but God’s people chose to push the easy button.
Why? I find three aspects of behavior that are pertinent to their demise.
1. They were risk averse. Let’s face it, a real part of war is injury and death. Even the victors experience casualties. “True, God has commanded us, but if we go to war, someone might get hurt. That someone might be me. Surely, there is an easier way.”
2. Israel began to enjoy the easy life. Having lower class servants to do the grunt work (normally chopping wood and hauling water) was a good thing, wasn’t it? Why not just peacefully co-exist? Yes, they were the pagans who continued to worship false gods, and they lived nearby. But life was so much easier. When the angel of God reprimands them in Judges 2, he refers to their failure to “break down altars” of the enemies. That meant that their worship continued – 1 Corinthians 10:20 tells us that the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons. Idols are merely fronts for demonic activity. Their easy life became a welcome mat for Satan.
3. Finally, they adopted the local ways; welcoming the practitioners of Satan’s delicacies into their homes and families; and, thus, began to participate in their worship. Nothing big, mind you, just experimenting. The next sound you hear is the trap snapping closed.
BUT THAT’S IN THE OLD TESTAMENT!
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-14 [I will admit that the examples given are from Israel’s wilderness experience, but I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to use the examples from Judges.]
Let me fold in the fact that spiritual warfare is discussed by the Apostle Paul, by the Apostle John in Revelation. Resisting Satan is brought up by the Apostle Peter, and James, Jesus’ brother. Our Lord Jesus warned us that we’d be persecuted. One of the reasons he gave for people opposing him was that he exposed their sin. John 15:18-24
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We often quote this verse, and I understand why it is beloved. Remember – the word translated overcome can equally be translated “I have conquered the world.” It’s a warfare term. (Note Revelation 17:14)
Revisit the list of character qualities that led to Israel’s demise; do any of them fit Christians in America today? I’m concerned that there are correlations. One way we welcome local ways into our home is through the many forms of electronic entertainment. Evaluation, godly evaluation is a must.
While peacefully co-existing, we are prone to stand-down when God’s way of life is ignored or outright flaunted.
In our Christian circles, how often do we consider or even discuss “taking ground” for Jesus? What is the subject matter for the lion’s share of our prayers? Healing, comfort, and an easier life – am I close? There is absolutely nothing wrong with such a prayer focus … what is amiss is the lack of prayer concerning conquest for Jesus’ sake. Ephesians 6:18-20 (10-20) talks about prayer for evangelism as part of the armor of God. Fold in Colossians 4:3-4 and 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2. When was the last time these requests were on your church prayer list?
When have you, in a group, focused on the way our society has wandered from taking God seriously? Of course, you know how Jesus opened the model prayer he gave us. Have you done more that recite it? Have you, in a group, agonized over the first 3 lines?
Risk averse? I’m sad to say, American believers have taken that to a new level. Not only is it not part of our prayers, in the past we abandoned education, entertainment, and politics – to our current dismay.
We have a God who is interested in being involved in our world and in the lives and efforts of his people. It’s time to begin serious introspection. We know where the road of risk aversion, peaceful co-existence, and adopting local ways led for Israel.
I’m sure you don’t want that, I don’t either. Let’s take the road less traveled and follow Jesus into our culture. It will not be easy – but it will be WITH HIM.