Children Bible Overview 39 06/01/08

THE ISRAELITES FORGOT ABOUT GOD, HENCE THEY FAILED AGAIN

Teachers to read bible scripture: <Jud 1-2>

Children to memorize bible scripture: <Jn 15:5>

Recap
Last week, we saw how Joshua instructed the Israelites not to forget about the Lord, their God.
Otherwise, they will surely fail and be defeated by the surrounding enemies. The Israelites all
remembered the words told by Joshua
Introduction
In the end, Joshua lived till 110 years old before he died. Those of the same generation as him also
passed away. There was a group of new generation Israelites who were raised up. They forgot about
how the Lord, their God had led the Israelites out of Egypt and also all the things that He had done for
them. As a result, they slowly grew distant from the Lord, their God and did not listen to His
instructions to chase away all the enemies in the land of Canaan. Therefore, the enemies gradually
grew stronger and more ferocious. They attacked the Israelites and tempted God’s people to worship
other gods. The Israelites hence went to worship and serve other gods. God was extremely angry
with the Israelites and allowed the surrounding enemies to attack and triumph over them. God’s
people were hence very in pain and misery. But because the Lord, their God still loved His people, He
raised the Judges up to help the Israelites. Each time the Lord raised the Judges and be with them,
the Judges obtained the power from the Lord to help the Israelites defeat their enemies. Each time
the Judges leave this world, the Israelites will also leave the Lord, their God to worship and serve
other gods. This repeatedly happened 12 times.

1. Because God’s people forgot the covenant (i.e. 4 Gospelization) given to them by
God, they did not chase the enemies out completely
1) The covenant that God has given us is the 4 Gospelization. Regardless of our
conditions and situations, (1) we are the most blessed in Jesus Christ. Therefore, (2)
our family, (3) region and (4) people around us would be blessed through us!
2) However, the devil, Satan often creates disbelief and causes us to forget that we are
people who know the 4 Gospelization. Especially whenever we are mischievous, we
are disobedient, when others do not love us, when parents reprimand us, when we
quarrel with our friends, when our results are worse than others, we will forget this.)
3) Therefore, whenever we forget we are people who know the 4 Gospelization, we do
not have the strength to chase the enemies away (e.g. triumphed over our problems).
On the contrary, we would continue to be affected and influenced by this world, we
will love the world and the things of the world (e.g. television programs, toys,
computer games, pets). Slowly, we will drift further and further away from God and
hear less of His words.

2. Although God helped the Israelites through the Judges, they relied on the Judges
and not on God
1) The Israelites did not know that God loved them and was with them. In their hearts,
they were always fearful of God, just like us who often think that God does not like or
love us. Therefore, we are fearful of God, fearful of doing wrong and hence be
disciplined by God.
2) Therefore, whenever problems arose, they were only fearful and would complain but
did not rely on God (they rather relied on other gods than to rely on the Lord).
Therefore, they often fought losing battles, just like how we would often use our
 brains/ intelligence/ people to find solutions when we are encounter problems but we
do not pray or ask God for help
3) Although God loved them, and continued to send Judges to help them, the Israelites
only relied on the Judges and not on God. They only saw how people helped them
but did not see that it was actually God helping them, just like how we often think that
it is people (parents/ teachers/ friends) who helped us to triumph over our problems
but it is in fact God helping us through the help of these people.

3. Therefore, every time after the judges died, the Israelites would be defeated
1) Because the Israelites often did not see that God actually loved them, God sent
judges to help them. Therefore, every time after the judges died, they could not see
God. [In fact, God never left them.]
2) Thereafter, whenever they met with a problem again, they would start to be afraid
and complained. Thereafter, they would rely on other gods. As a result, they would
be defeated again and their enemies would triumph over them.
3) Conclusion: Therefore, we cannot just solely look at people and rely on people! The
one who loves us the most is the Lord, Jesus Christ. He died on the cross for all our
sins and thereafter resurrect for us. Therefore, the devil, Satan can no longer triumph
over us. After that, the Lord Jesus also leads and protects us daily. He also loves ad
helps us through the people around us (parents, friends, teachers). Therefore, when
we see that the Lord Jesus loves us the most, and see ourselves as people who
know the 4 Gospelization, we do not have to be afraid of anything. When we
encounter any problem, just pray to Jesus and receive victory. We can live happy
lives daily! Therefore, children, we should never forget that the Lord Jesus loves us
and are helping us every moment.