The document recounts the disobedience of Israel's generations, their turning to idol worship, and the consequences they faced as a result. It emphasizes God's faithfulness and love, citing that He raised up judges to deliver them in their times of need but highlights their persistent return to sinful practices. Ultimately, it calls for faithfulness to God as the provider and healer, warning against allowing anything else to become a false god in their lives.

1. The first generation of God's children in Israel disobeyed and allowed the idol worshippers to dwell in the Promised Land with them. The next generation strayed farther and sinned greater . 15 Whithersoever they went out, the Hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.

2. 16 Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. He corrects us because He loves us. When we sincerely humble ourselves and call out unto God for help, He will deliver us from harm.

3. 17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the Commandments of the Lord; but they did not so. They always returned to their own ways , And to the ways of the sinful nations .

4. "They went a whoring after other gods." They were unfaithful to their True and Living God. Just as a husband or a wife who is unfaithful to his or her mate has " gone a whoring ", So it is with one who goes after false gods to worship.

5. Deuteronomy 4 23 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the Covenant of the Lord your God, which He made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing , which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee. 24 For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God . God is always faithful unto us. We must be as faithful unto Him.

6. 18 And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. They would cry out to God in their trouble, He would hear and raise up a judge to deliver them. They would follow that good judge as long as he lived .

7. 19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings , nor from their stubborn way. Succeeding generations waxed worse than the former generations. They ceased not from their own doings , Nor from their stubborn way .

8. 20 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and He said, Because that this people hath transgressed My Covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto My Voice; 21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: God would help them out from time to time , when a generation called on Him. But they would never be free from these thorns in their side.

9. 22 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the Way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it , or not. 23 Therefore the Lord left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered He them into the hand of Joshua. Because of their stubborn determination to leave some Canaanites in the land, Servants, Tribute God would also leave them there and use them to correct His people.

10. God had provided a good land and many blessings for His people, Israel. They would have been a great and mighty nation . They would have prospered with unimaginable wealth. As Paul D said Wednesday night, Do the do's and don't do the don'ts .

11. We live in the Church Age. God has provided great blessings for us. He loves us as His dear children. Matthew 7 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. … 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12. Philippians 4 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God's Name is Jehovah-Jireh , The Lord will Provide . Anything or anyone to whom we look for provision has become a god unto us. We have gone a whoring after other gods. Don't let a job, a business, or a government check become a god unto you.

13. James 5 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. God is Jehovah-Rapha "The Lord that healeth thee" Ex 15:26

14. Anyone or anything on whom we depend for our health and healing, Has become a god unto us. We must depend on Jehovah-Rapha. Obey the Scriptures, call on God. He is Faithful Who Promised. Don't let an insurance policy, Medicare, Medicaid, or a doctor Become a god unto you.

15. John 14 15 If ye love Me, keep My Command-ments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter , that He may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of Truth; …. We must lean on no one but God, His Word and His Spirit , To be our Comforter in time of trouble.

16. Hebrews 13 5 Let your conversation (way of life) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Our God loves us as His dear children. Love Him back . Obey Him in all things. His Way is the Good Way ! We can absolutely depend on Him.

17. Psalms 84 10-11 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly . 1 John 4 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

18. Men's Fellowship and Meeting Saturday, May 8 at 8:00 A.M. April 11, 2010