1. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Judges 2: When the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.

2. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
What is the issue with the people in the preceding verses? Why is this an issue? Lets look at some scripture for the answer.

3. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Judges 3:7 The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Judges 3:12 Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. Judges 4:1 Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, after Ehud died.

4. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Judges 6:1 Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD gave them into the hands of Midian seven years. Judges 10:6 Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, served the Baals and the Ashtaroth, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the sons of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him. Judges 13:1 Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, so that the LORD gave them into the hands of the Philistines forty years.

5. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Why do you believe the people continued to make the same mistakes? Did this type of behavior end with God’s people in Judges? Why do we today with everything we know and believe find ourselves falling into the same pattern of sin? How can we break the cycle of sin?

6. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Does sinful actions ever take us by surprise?
Usually develops in our hearts and minds
We have time to process it and make a decision to obey God or disobey God
Possessing our Inheritance:
Judges 1:1 Now it came about after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?"

7. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Comparing the Israelites to us today:
What were the Israelites promised?
Land to dwell in
Defeat of their enemies
What are we promised?
Dwell in Heaven
Defeat of Satan
Failure of God’s people to retain what has been conquered.

8. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Compromised Faith in God:
Judges 1: Now it came about after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?" 2 The LORD said, "Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand." 3 Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, "Come up with me into the territory allotted me, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you." So Simeon went with him.
Judges 1:19 19 Now the LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had iron chariots.

9. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Compromised Faith in God:
Why did the Israelites request Simeon to help?
Lack of faith
Why did the people with iron chariots discourage the Israelites?

10. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Small rays of light:
Judges 1: Then they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had promised; and he drove out from there the three sons of Anak
What do we remember about Caleb and the sons of Anak?
Numbers 13: "Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there.
Deuteronomy 2: (The Emim lived there formerly, a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim.

11. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Small rays of light:
Why was Caleb victorious?
Wholehearted commitment to God
What lesson do we learn from Caleb?

12. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Disobedience to the Word of God:
Judges 1:21, But the sons of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem; so the Jebusites have lived with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day But Manasseh did not take possession of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; so the Canaanites persisted in living in that land. 28 It came about when Israel became strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely. 29 Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer; so the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them. 30 Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, or the inhabitants of Nahalol; so the Canaanites lived among them and became subject to forced labor. 31 Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, or of Achzib, or of Helbah, or of Aphik, or of Rehob. 32 So the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out. 33 Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, or the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became forced labor for them. 34 Then the Amorites forced the sons of Dan into the hill country, for they did not allow them to come down to the valley; 35 yet the Amorites persisted in living in Mount Heres, in Aijalon and in Shaalbim; but when the power of the house of Joseph grew strong, they became forced labor.

13. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Disobedience to the Word of God:
What do you notice about the previous scripture?
Is there a repetitive theme?
Did not drive out their enemies…
Simply lived along side their enemies…
Made forced labor out of them…
What do you think is the purpose of the repetitive theme?
For the Israelites?
For us today?

14. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Disobedience to the Word of God:
God commanded the Israelites to destroy the enemy
God commands us to flee every appearance of evil…
Is this difficult for us today?
Why?

15. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Disobedience to the Word of God: Judges 2: Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, 12 and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.

16. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Disobedience to the Word of God:
How did the Israelites lose control of the people that they had control of?
Pride…
Over confident…
Indifference toward God…
Can the same happen to us?

17. The Cycle of Sin in Judges
Hold fast to the teachings of the Lord!!! Next week Chapter 3 The enemy within the land