Testing Obedience in Every Life

"Testing Obedience in Every Life" - Judges 2:1 Jehovah's angel (the Lord Jesus) rebuked the people at Bokim (those who mourn), for "their disobedience." He went up from Gilgal (the place of blessing) to Bokim (the place of weeping). Israel had gone from the place of victory to the place of lamentation. They had failed to drive out the Canaanites and destroy their idolatrous altars. Therefore, the Lord would refuse to drive out the inhabitants of the land and would rather leave them to torment the Israelites. In this way, Judges 2:1-5 gives the basic reason for future oppression. No wonder the people... they cried, and they called... that place Boquim!

I. Rather, we separate ourselves from the impure!

A. So, we must live in Boquim (those who weep) in the land that flows with milk and honey.

1. What territory are you in?

2. Let's look at the Scriptures as God works with the people: difficult places (Deuteronomy 8:2): The Lord had allowed trials to come into their lives to "afflict them," examine them, and "test their obedience."

3. Moses encouraged the people to obey God, using God's loving protective care as a motive.

4. God knows what is in the hearts of the people.

5. God wanted the people to know their rebellious nature, reason; They would be able to better appreciate His mercy and grace.

6. They learned in their pilgrimages the fear of God.

7. (Deuteronomy 32:10-11) (10) The birth and infancy of the nation of Israel are described in verse (10).

8. After the exodus from Egypt, God guided, instructed, and guarded His people with the love of the "eagle" mother.

9. (Psalm 27:11) If a man keeps the ways of God, he can be sure of God's protection; but if he has gone astray, he exposes himself to danger.

10. Dangers are sought out by the one who goes off the rails.

11. The world is not for God's chosen people.

12. Give me to understand the meaning of Your providences, so that I may walk uprightly and safely, without perplexity (indecision, entanglement, intensity, confusion).

13. (Psalm 77:20) Moses and Aaron led the people, the former as governor, the latter as high priest—the two great ordinances of the magisterium (the activity of the teacher and the teachings he transmits to his students and of the ministry).

14. "Moses and Aaron could do nothing without God"; but God did it through them, as through the pillar of cloud and fire.

15. (Psalm 139:9-10) If I were to take the wings of the dawn and migrate to the end (farthest than the eye can see) of the sea.

16. The light spreads with incredible rapidity and can scarcely be followed by the mind; it illuminates the wide sea and makes its waves shine from afar; but its speed would not allow it to escape, if it tried to do so from the Lord. Hallelujah!

17. If we were to fly on the wings of the morning breeze and end up in oceans unknown to maps, yet we would find there that the Lord is present.

18. What? Had Jonah offended the waves and winds to make them so angry with him?

19. The winds and the waves and all of God's creatures unite on God's side against Jonah and every rebellious sinner (Jonah 1).

20. (Psalm 139:10) Even there Your hand would reach out to me.

21. The missionary is guided on his solitary exploratory walks; it is sustained in his weakness.

22. God's hands are upon His servants to sustain them and against "the rebellious to overthrow them; and in this sense, no matter what some are directed to, the active energy (power) of God still surrounds them. C.H.S.

23. (Mark 10:32) Jesus went before them.

24. They were astonished and followed Him in fear.

25. Fear won't let you follow Him.

26. Leading His disciples on that march.

27. They were frightened at what might happen to the Master, and they and others "who followed him were afraid," for they began to consider "what danger" they were putting themselves in by "accompanying" Him on that journey.

28. For this reason, "Jesus went ahead" to encourage them.

29. When we are exposed, threatened with suffering, it is "encouraging to see our Master go before us”.

30. (Luke 24:50-51) From the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12) where Jesus ascended, near Bethany.

31. There was the garden where He suffered His agony, and His sufferings began.

32. Who were the witnesses to His ascension: His disciples; He brought them out... (50).

33. What was the farewell He gave them: and lifting His hands, He blessed them.

34. As He departed from them: "And it came to pass, that while He was blessing them, He went away from them."

35. In this way, He gave them to understand that His departure did not put an end to His blessings.

36. He began to bless them while He was still on earth and so continues to bless them until His entrance into Heaven.

37. He did not need chariots of fire or horses of fire, like those that took Elijah (2 Kings 2:11), for He knew the way well. Amen.