Judges 1:1-3
After Joshua died the children of Israel immediately go before God asking for there next step. No one person had been placed as king at this time as was God’s design. He was to be their King. The unity displayed in this passage and quickness to obey is reminiscent of Americas response immediately following the attack on our country on 9/11. In the midst of adversity It is much easier to find the one thing for a group to unit under. For the United States of America the only thing on everyones mind was the attack on our country. It is the further away from the event that we get that our individualistic mentalities begin to rise up again. We begin fighting only for what is most important for ME… to ME. The Children of Israel were faced with the death of Joshua and were ready to do whatever was most beneficial to the whole. There desire was to advance the kingdom. If that meant laying aside personal agendas and what would benefit them most, then so be it. The book of Joshua concludes with specific land assignment for each tribe. They began by seeking God on the approach. How easily would it have been for the tribe of Simeon to say “Break me of my piece first.” “Why do you get yours first?” I war against the desire to give, serve, and fight for the whole only out of abundance, health, and strength in my own life. It is hard to desire the success of others over the advancement of yourself. Are we as a body… am I as an individual ready to lay personal agendas aside to see the advancement of the whole.
