Absence of leadership

The book of Joshua began with the death of Moses and the descent of the word of the Lord upon the people of Israel. The book of Judges also starts in a similar manner. After Joshua’s death, when there was no longer a leader among the Israelites, they sought the guidance of the Lord. (1) Joshua passed away before the Israelites could completely conquer the land of Canaan. (2) From that point onwards, each tribe had to engage in battles to drive out the inhabitants of the Canaan within their allotted territories. These battles were a means for the Israelites to obtain the land for settlement, and to bring the judgment of the Lord to the Canaanites. (3) Since there was no firm leader to succeed Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites?” The book of Judges revolves around the tragedy of the absence of leadership. (4) The Lord’s command was, “Judah shall go up.” Jacob, the patriarch, had prophesied about the preeminence of the tribe of Judah among the twelve tribes (Gen. 49:8-12). Here, we witness the partial fulfillment of that prophecy.

Judah’s battle

How would you act when the person you looked up to as a leader is gone and all of his/her responsibilities now rest upon your shoulders? It is in such times that faith is tested. Let us see how the tribe of Judah responded. (1) They formed a “treaty of friendship” with the tribe of Simeon, securing a promise of military cooperation. Judah and Simeon were brothers from the same mother (sons of Leah). Furthermore, the Simeonites had obtained scattered cities within the territory of Judah. (2) They went out in obedience to the word of the Lord, struck down ten thousand Canaanites and Perizzites, and achieved victory in battle. (3) However, it was the Lord Himself who gave them the victory. Here we see a balance between human responsibility and God’s work. Even after the leader is gone, the Lord’s plan continues to unfold. Instead of lamenting the difference in abilities between the previous leader and ourselves, we should mobilize all that we have, unite together, and advance in the work of the Lord. It is then, the Lord Himself will work abundantly. Let’s believe.