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BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesus

DAY 70 OF 358

Joshua and Judges start the same way: “After the death of” Israel’s previous leader. The similarity ends there. Joshua feels like an upward climb, concluding with Israel’s triumph in the promised land. Judges will feel like a constant spiral downward and end with Israel deteriorating into utter failure and chaos.

The Israelites do not completely do away with the Canaanite way of life as God instructed. The results are exactly as Moses and Joshua warned. Over time, the Israelites absorb Canaanite practices until they become just as idolatrous, violent, and morally corrupt as the Canaanites.

This descent into darkness follows a pattern that repeats from Othniel to Samson. The Israelites “do evil” in the sight of Yahweh, usually worshipping other gods. So Yahweh hands them over to be conquered and “oppressed” by their enemies. When the Israelites “cry out” for help, God provides a savior to rescue them. This victory brings peace for a time. Then the Israelites again “do evil,” and the cycle starts all over.

Watch the video to preview Israel’s downward spiral in the book of Judges.

Reflection Questions

  • What hints about Israel’s dark future in Judges stand out to you in the first three chapters of the book?
  • Compare the pattern that repeats in Judges to the first half of Exodus (the story about Israel’s exodus from slavery in Egypt). What parallels do you notice between the story of God rescuing Israel from Egypt and God rescuing Israel from their enemies in Canaan? How does this help you understand the story of Judges?

About this Plan

BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesus

Read through the Bible in one year with BibleProject! One Story That Leads to Jesus includes daily devotional content, reflection questions, and more than 150 animated videos to bring biblical books and themes to life. Join the growing community around the globe who are learning to see the Bible as one unified story that leads to Jesus.

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