[One-Verse Meditation]

Judges 1:1 “After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, ‘Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?’”

[Meditation]

The book of Judges begins with the significant report, “After the death of Joshua.” In the hearts of the Israelites, who had lost their great leader, there must have been more anxiety and fear of being ‘on their own’ than anticipation for the conquest of Canaan. In a situation where they could not turn back, they went to the LORD and asked:

“Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?”

At first glance, it seems like a question for obedience, but between the lines, hesitation and the shifting of responsibility are hidden. Though they appear to be relying on God, at their core is a disbelief that cannot fully trust—this is the beginning of the tragedy that runs through the entire book of Judges. Ultimately, Israel fears the iron chariots they can see, compromises because the leftover foreign culture looks appealing, and finally ends up in a place where “everyone did as they saw fit.”

What do we look like today? Even while asking God, are we not looking more at the ‘iron chariots’ before our eyes than at God’s promise? But right here, there is God’s reversal that overturns our despair. For even though the Lord saw through their disbelief, He answered them like this:

“Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.” (v. 2)

The Lord does not look at their qualifications or the measure of their faith. Rather, He comes first into their hesitant steps, extends a hand of faith, and declares, ‘I have already given you the victory.’ In this way, God transforms our ‘faithless steps’ into His ‘faithful, promised steps.’

This is the very reason we breathe and live today: grace.

[Prayer]

Lord, thank you for the grace that faithfully answers even my faithless questions and transforms my hesitant steps into the steps of Your promise. Let me walk in this grace today. Amen.
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[Daily Reading]

Judges 1:1-21