Vicious Cycles

INTRODUCTION: VICIOUS CYCLES

Judges tells the tale of Israel's history of tragedy. Here's the sad thing. It didn't have to go this way. They could have thrived. They could have succeeded. They could have had hundreds of happy endings. That didn't happen because they chose their impulses over God's intentions. Turning to the last page of judges, let's take a look at two traits that trigger tragedy and two traits that lead to triumph.

ILLUSTRATION:

Share a stack of dystopian novels that are popular in high school school curriculums.

Take a look at the required reading list in most American high schools. There is an unsettling theme in the syllabus. While there are millions of books about love, dogs, mystery, and victory, the reading lists in high school tend to fall on the dark side of fiction. In the last century, the most popular genre in the high school classroom has been dystopian. What does that mean, you ask? Dystopia is a style of literature that unpacks "a fictional world where people live fearful, wretched, and dehumanized lives."

It seems as though most students aren't looking for happy endings; they're looking for difficult journeys.  Books like 1984, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, The Hunger Games, Brave New World, and Fahrenheit 451 are beloved, while being major downers. Each work is dark and discouraging from cover to cover—no warm and fuzzies; no fireworks; no happy endings. These novels paint pictures of fake cultures defined by fear and evil. This begs a big question: Why are we so obsessed with dystopias?

I think people are drawn to books like The Hunger Games and movies like The Purge because they seem somewhat believable. It's not fantasy; it's reality with a dark twist. While the plots are far-fetched, it's all possible, right? Our culture carries a deep-rooted fear of what we are capable of when everything goes off the rails.

• The Bible boasts a dystopian book in the middle of the Old Testament. It's called Judges.

• Here's the scary part, though. It's not fiction. The events of Judges actually happened, and its storyline would make even Shakespeare squirm.

It's largely considered the most unsettling book in the whole Bible. This distressing book follows the grim history of Israel when God's chosen people turned to violence instead of worship. In an attempt to regain control, tragic heroes called "judges" stepped up to make things better.

Spoiler: they didn't succeed.

Let's take a look at a broad outline of the book.

•Do you notice how the story gets progressively worse? From a literary standpoint, that's on purpose.

•Judges tells the story of Israel's downfall after turning away from God. This dystopian book paints a picture of twelve judges during Israel's dark ages.

•The nation had no moral compass, weak leadership, and found itself in constant war.

•That's why various judges stepped up in an attempt to lead. They didn't lead from a place of righteousness, though.

•Nope, it was often arrogance and violence.

•Don't let the title "judge" confuse you. These are not courtroom judges with black robes and wooden gavels.

•Rather, they were warriors. Think of them like tribal chiefs.

•Judges tells the tale of Israel's history of tragedy.

•Here's the sad thing. It didn't have to go this way.

•They could have thrived.•They could have succeeded.

•They could have had hundreds of happy endings.

•That didn't happen because they chose their impulses over God's intentions. Turning to the last page of judges, let's take a look at two traits that trigger tragedy and two traits that lead to triumph.

Tragic Trait #1: Rejecting Righteous Living

• We are starting our study with the very last verse in the book. Judges concludes, "in those days, everyone did as they saw fit."

• The first domino of their downfall started with a disappearance of values.

• Their culture was founded on the principles of honoring God and honoring people, but that seemed to go out the window when things got tough. 

• They became self-centered.

• They became greedy.

• They rejected God and worshipped pagan gods. They lost sight of their collective calling to live as a community.

• Instead, they just did whatever they wanted without regard for God's Word or God's people.

• It was the perfect storm of selfishness. Unfortunately, we see where that strategy leads — sorrow, mourning, and brokenness. 

• This is sad, but there is a better way to live. How do we protect ourselves from tragedy? We decide to live triumphantly.

Triumphant Trait #1: Live Righteously

• Learn a lesson from the ancient Israelites. Strive to live a life that serves people, honors God, and respects righteousness.

• Seek to see people the same way our Father does — as image-bearers of God who deserve dignity and respect.

• Unlike Israel in 520 BC, our culture is not usually pushing you towards violence. Although, it's certainly pushing you towards selfishness.

• Destroy selfishness before it destroys you.

• Embody the lifestyle of Jesus, which was a lifestyle of service and humility. Don't just do what you want, do what is right.

• Help others. • Give back to your community.

• Put others before yourself.

• In every part of your life, live lovingly.

• When you live righteously, you protect yourself from calamity.

• When you live righteously, you protect yourself from self-destructive habits.

• If you're up to it, read the whole book of judges someday.

• I would not recommend it for bedtime as you might have nightmares or pre-dinner as you might lose your appetite, but it's certainly a poignant book full of practical warnings.

• In each discouraging discourse, you will see a tragic theme. These people refused to learn from their mistakes and missteps.

• This brings us to our second set of points.

Tragic Trait #2: Refusing to Learn from Your Mistakes

• In our study, we will start to see a theme emerge. Israel repeats the vicious cycle over and over again: 

• They reject God

• They experience a tragedy

• They cry out

• God rescues them

• Then the pattern repeats itself like a coo-coo clock playing the same song every hour on the hour.

• Talk about frustrating. It's difficult to watch people fail due to repeated patterns. It's even more difficult when that person is you.

• Have you ever noticed yourself repeating the same mistakes over and over?

• We are creatures of habit, and sometimes those habits are bad. 

• So how do we set ourselves free from repeating the same cycles? By learning from our mistakes.

Triumphant Trait #2: Find the Lessons in Your Mistakes

• Don't behave like ancient Israel.

• Take an honest assessment of your recent mistakes and evaluate what you can learn from them.

• Failure can be a blessing.

• Seek the lessons in your letdown. 

• Whenever you fail, ask yourself these valuable questions. 

• What were my mistakes?  

• Did any vicious cycles trigger my failure?  

• What can I learn from this?  

• What is my next move? 

• When approached correctly, failure makes a tremendous professor.

• It can teach you, it can stretch you, and it can develop you.

• That is only possible if you actively evaluate your mistakes, understand why you made them, and take action to ensure they never happen again. 

— CLOSING THE MESSAGE —

• Let's Begin Our Journey Through Judges. 

• Prepare yourself for a bizarre trip through one of the Bible's most frightening books.

• We are going to see some valuable lessons (and warnings) from the tragic figures that fill the pages of Judges.

• This book will upset you, and that's a good thing.

• Embrace those feelings of discomfort.

• The judges are not heroes.

• Their stories are not celebrated.

• The book of Judges examines Israel's dark past to provide hope for their bright future. 


• While Judges feels hopeless, we have a benefit that ancient Israel didn't have. • We have 65 other books of God-inspired scripture that provide a massive dose of hope.

• Anytime this study feels discouraging, take a look at the Bible as a whole. You will be filled with hope. Why?

• Because we can look at how God's story ends.

• A holy judge will rise from the tribes of Israel. He will rule humbly, lovingly, and mercifully.

• Jesus, the perfect judge, will be handed tragedy and transform it into triumph.

•Let's Begin Our Journey Through Judges. 

•Prepare yourself for a bizarre trip through one of the Bible's most frightening books.

•We are going to see some valuable lessons (and warnings) from the tragic figures that fill the pages of Judges.

•This book will upset you, and that's a good thing.

•Embrace those feelings of discomfort.

•The judges are not heroes.

•Their stories are not celebrated.

•The book of Judges examines Israel's dark past to provide hope for their bright future. 


•While Judges feels hopeless, we have a benefit that ancient Israel didn't have.

•We have 65 other books of God-inspired scripture that provide a massive dose of hope.

•Anytime this study feels discouraging, take a look at the Bible as a whole. You will be filled with hope. Why?

•Because we can look at how God's story ends.

•A holy judge will rise from the tribes of Israel. He will rule humbly, lovingly, and mercifully.

•Jesus, the perfect judge, will be handed tragedy and transform it into triumph.

TALK IT OUT

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week and what was the lowest part of your week?

Q1: Why do you think people repeat the same mistakes over and over again, even after they see the harm they cause?

Q2: How does living righteously help protect us from tragedy?

Q3: What happens when you refuse to learn from your mistakes?

Q4: What lessons have you learned from mistakes in the past? How can you assure you don’t fall into the same error again?

Application:

Ask for God to reveal any vicious cycles in your life. If you notice anything, ask for God’s guidance and your circle’s help to break the cycle.

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Psalm 99:1-5

Revelation 4:8-11

Romans 12:1-2

Psalm 96:1-6

Psalm 96: 7-13

Philippians 2:5

Philippians 2:14-16

Do the following with each passage: 

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.