JUDGES 1 (FROM CAC'S NOTES)
JUDGES 1 (FROM CAC’S NOTES)
This incident is recorded in the book of Joshua (chapter 15) which is a book of success, but it is also found in Judges which is a book of failure, bringing it down, as it were, to our own times. What was needed at the beginning of our dispensation is just what is needed at the end of it. Achsah, representing a certain phase of assembly exercise, says, “Thou hast given me a southern land”. She had the most favoured position, and that should never be out of our thoughts; God has given us the very best. The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Hail, thou favoured one”: no one could doubt that she was blessed among women. She had the very best that God could give: she was the chosen vessel to bring into humanity that Holy Thing which was to be called Son of God. But Luke has suggested to us that Mary was one of the assembly (Acts 1) and I believe it is right to say that, though she gave Him birth, she has no better title to Him than any other saint of the assembly. The “southern land”, as far as we are concerned, is the favourableness of God expressed in His Son coming into the world; “The dayspring from on high”.
But He is now glorified; three disciples were permitted to see His glory on the holy mount; He is now the Beloved and we are graced in Him. We know our place before God in Him. We are sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. The position is most favourable, set forth in the younger son of Luke 15. What it was to God to have such a Son (our Lord Jesus Christ) in manhood! And now He is glorified. Our place in Him is entirely the fruit of redemption and new creation.
This is all so great that it can only be kept in freshness and power in our souls by “springs of water”. The “upper springs” would have reference to the purpose or heavenly side of our blessing, the “lower springs” to the responsible life here. If we grieve the Spirit it is like throwing earth into the springs. If we realised the value of the Spirit, we should be very careful about grieving Him. This is for the enjoyment of the inheritance, so that it would go along with sowing to the Spirit so as to reap life eternal. Use the springs: it is implied that if Achsah got the springs she would use them.
The springs of water in this type would go more with John 7 — the inheritance is refreshed. It is coming to Jesus as glorified and drinking. It is first inward satisfaction in drinking from this wonderful fountain and then rivers flow out in an affectionate and feeling way amongst the brethren first. The individual believer becomes representative of the house and the throne. The apostles exemplified it.
The first sign of weakness was that Judah does not dispossess the inhabitants of the valley because they had chariots of iron, and this although it is said in the same verse (verse 19) “Jehovah was with Judah”. That is, they failed to take account of the power of God: “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4: 4). The power of the antichrist is very great and he has in his arsenal all the chariots of modern thought, but we are to be overcomers in a greater power.
Then the children of Benjamin did not dispossess the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem (verse 21). This seems to be a question of the rights of God, for it was the city of the great King — the place where Jehovah set His name. How soon things come in to challenge the rights of God in Christ. Is Christ entitled to be supreme as Son over God’s house? Baptised to Christ is to own His rights: John speaks much of commandments, and then there are the commandments of the Lord in 1 Corinthians. If I do not own the rights of Christ my baptism is null and void, save as added responsibility. Jerusalem represents the rights of Christ as King and Head. Then the house of Joseph went up against Bethel (verses [p. 223] 22 - 26). They enlisted the co-operation of a man out of the city. If you accept the aid of the world you must show it kindness: Luz means a bend or curve; it is not a straight line. This man loved his city, though he was willing to purchase his own life by betraying it. He perpetuated its name where he went. How many things have got a twist through the help of the world being solicited or accepted! Constantine; the political powers at the Reformation; things retained that have no place at Bethel. Here it is a question of the truth of God. The house of God is the pillar and base of the truth. In Christendom the divine things are there, but they are bent to suit man; but in God’s house all must be straight to suit God: “Cutting in a straight line the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2: 15).
Then in Manasseh we find that “the Canaanites would dwell in that land” (verses 27, 28). The will of man got the ascendancy and was allowed. Thus even when Israel was strong they made the Canaanites tributary. There was not spiritual power to destroy heathen superstitions, so they were made tributary.
Then in Ephraim the Canaanites dwelt among them, as also Zebulun (verses 29, 30). Worldly principles found amongst the people of God and dwelling there — birds of heaven come and roost in its branches.
Then the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land (verses 31, 32), and so with Naphtali (verse 33). Now the people of God are in the world.
Then finally the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the hill-country (verse 34). They have now fully the upper hand. I suppose the hill-country has always been available — Luke chapter 1.
This is the history of the post-apostolic church. In 1 John we get the warnings and the antidotes: we love our brother. Then the world, the many antichrists, the liars, those who lead us astray: whatever we ask we receive from Him. “We know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given to us” (chapter 3: 24). “Prove the spirits, if they are of God”
(chapter 4: 1). “All that has been begotten of God gets the victory over the world” (chapter 5: 4). “If we ask him anything according to his will he hears us” (chapter 5: 14). “Many false prophets are gone out into the world” (chapter 4: 1). “Who soever goes forward” (2 John 9).