11/9/25 - Joshua Part 3: The God Who Acts - Pastor Tim Parker

God is always at work, even in the darkest stories

Judges- The God Who Acts

Judges- one of the R-rated books of the BibleAccounts a long, dark history Israel participated in. Because of compromise and habitual rejection of God. Don’t look away, church, because ancient Israel is a blessing to us.

1 Corinthians 10:1-6

Judges 3- What is expected

• Othniel, Judges and God delivers the King of Mesopotamia to him
• Israel turns away again, so God raises Eglon the King of Moab
• God raises Ehud up, who happens to be left handed. This small detail is what catches the King of Moab off guard, allowing Ehud to seize the opportunity and kill him and deliver Israel
• The Shamgar gets the smallest of mentions

• Othniel, Judges and God delivers the King of Mesopotamia to him
• Israel turns away again, so God raises Eglon the King of Moab
• God raises Ehud up, who happens to be left handed. This small detail is what catches the King of Moab off guard, allowing Ehud to seize the opportunity and kill him and deliver Israel
• The Shamgar gets the smallest of mentions

Job 40:6-14

Being the same yesterday, today, and forever, God breaks any misconception of formulaic pursuit of Him

Judges 4:1-5

• Deborah- the unexpected agent

• Miriam is the last prophetess we know of, but even she served under Moses as a judge
• Deborah is recognized by all of Israel, as she is judging over Israel as Moses did
• In the ancient middle east, this was close to unheard of, certainly not amongst pagan nations
• She isn’t waging war against her oppressor
• She is leading Israel through wisdom

Judges 4:6-8

Judges:9-16

• Now there’s the Judges we know! At least, if the account ended here, but we have more to read

Judges 4:17-24

• Jael- the agent of provision
• Jael and her husband had moved away from their people
• It was a death sentence, yet here they are
• They were considered allies to the Canaanites
• But for reasons unknown, Jael and her husband were not friendly to them

“God subdued on that day Jabin the King of Canaan before the sons of Israel”

In the accounting of the events, the writer of Judges had no question in their mind God did it, because God Acts. This is the main point I believe God is speaking to us through Judges 4: God is always working, in every and any circumstance.

Consider the reading today!

• “the LORD raised up a deliverer”
• “the LORD gave... [the] King of Mesopotamia into his hand.”
• “the LORD strengthened Eglon... against Israel.”
• “the LORD sold them into the hand...”
• “the God of Israel has commanded...”
• “I will give him into your hand”
• “the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.”
• “the LORD routed Sisera...”
• “God subdued...”

Difficulty in this truth, I know, but let's let the Spirit speak to us

God is for you! Not against you! He is not eliminating us, but perfecting us! Through things you wouldn’t expect . Tragedy, pain, suffering. Through things that “resist” God. Through things that seem circumstantialDaily life, encounters, and “chance”. We serve an amazing and loving God who is constantly pursuing His people. Can we recognize it? Can we worship Him for it?

Examen: Practice reflection & listening

Surrender: Practice Humility & PeacePraise: Practice Joy & Testimony