Setting the Stage

Title: Setting the Stage
Text: Judges 1-2

Theme of Judges: Details the disaster of not being fully surrended to God, showing need of God in every area of life (Judges 1:1-3, 7, 19, 21, 27, 28, 29-31, 33-34, 2:1-3).

Cycle of Judges:
- Israel turns away from God.
- God allows Israel suffer.
- Israel cries out for help.
- God raises a judge to save them.
- People reject judge/God (again).

Small areas of unbelief and un-surrender lead to huge areas of disaster (Judges 1:19, 2:2).

We claim- "I can't"
God says- "No, you won't"
 
A failure to obey is a failure to remember who God is and what He has done.

How can God be both holy and just, while also being loving and gracious?
On the cross- Jesus satisfied both justice and loving faithfulness.