2. Staying on Higher Ground: Be Not Conformed to the World

Hymns: 418 O Jesus, I Have Promised 419 Take My Life and Let It Be 420 I Surrender All

Judges 1

¹⁹ And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. ²⁰ And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak. ²¹ And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. ²² And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. ²³ And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) ²⁴ And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy. ²⁵ And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family. ²⁶ And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day. ²⁷ Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. ²⁸ And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.²⁹ Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them. ³⁰ Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. ³¹ Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: ³² But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out. ³³ Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. ³⁴ And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: ³⁵ But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. ³⁶ And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

Be Not Conformed to This World

OUTLINE

Vigilance (v1-20)
Failing to be Watchful (v21-35)

INTRODUCTION

There has never been a time when the people of God have not needed this warning “Be not conformed to this world” (Romans 12:1).

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Apostle Paul said to the Christians by a command to refrain themselves from being fashioned or shaped into the mold of this world’s system.

The Apostle Paul paraphrased well in Ephesians 2:1-3 (KJV) 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

The Christian has now a heavenly perspective to this life. He sets his affection not on the things of this world but on the things that have eternal value. His value system is changed. He sees the treasures of this world with a different perspective. He knows that when he takes his last breath, he cannot bring any of the treasures of this world with him. The way he looks that this world is changed. May God help us to renew our minds that we may have a heavenly perspective of this earthly life.

Before the people entered the land occupied by nations whose worldview and mentality are radically different from their own, the LORD gave them needful instructions which they failed to take heed.

Deuteronomy 18:9-13 (KJV) When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

The power of the world to corrupt the hearts and minds of God’s people cannot be underestimated. The “world” refers to that system opposed to God and His Christ. For the working young adults, it may be that first department dinner or outing that end up in the pub. That first alcoholic drink that led to a life-long addiction.

The curiosity of a new culture, a new way of life, urged on by colleagues and friends, are lurking dangers that God’s people cannot fail to comprehend. The lure is great, the need to be in or to conform is very real and pushing, even fatally attractive!

This happened to the children of Israel right at the door steps of their new home.

God’s instructions have been one of physical separation which they failed.

The children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day. (Judges 1:21)

“… they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.” (Judges 1:25)

Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of …. but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. (Judges 1:27)

“Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites…” (Judges 1:29)

“Neither did Zebulun drive out the Canaanites…but the Canaanites dwelt among them.” (Judges 1:30)

“Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants…for they did not drive them out.” (Judges 1:31-32)

“Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants…but dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land…” (Judges 1:33)

“…the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain…But the Amorites would dwell in …so that they became tributaries” (Judges 1:34)

Deuteronomy 9:1-8 (KJV) Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven, A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak! Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

The promise of God is that He will be with them to accomplished the task of possessing the land. Though the land is promised to the nation as a gift, it did not come into the possession of the people without their involvement. Israel had to drive out the inhabitants. Also, when the land was given there was to be no sinful participation in the false religious practices of those people, their “pictures” and “molten images” were to be destroyed and their high places demolished. Still the land was God’s gracious benevolence to His people. We are thus reminded that in all our striving, we have only what we received from the hand of the LORD. [The Devotional Daily Bible]

Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people. Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD. Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.

Understand the spiritual weakness of the Israelites right from onset of their journey out of Egypt when they made the golden calf to worship.

Numbers 33:51-56 (KJV) Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossessthe inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.

Deuteronomy 12:28-32 (KJV) Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God. When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

The element of curiosity that lead to the snare cannot be underestimated.

Also, God’s instruction has been given that the instructors of Israel, the Levites, must not be forsaken.

Deuteronomy 12:19 (KJV) Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.

When they fail to take heed to the instructions of God’s Word was the beginning of their fall.

2 Peter 3:17 (KJV) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Recall God’s Word to Joshua before they entered the Promised Land.

Joshua 1:8-11 (KJV) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

Because the warfare was not a one battle journey but constant battle, Israel failed in their vigilance and watchfulness.

Vigilance (v1-20)
Failing to be Watchful (21-35)

Vigilance (v1-20)

¹⁹ And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.

Matthew Poole observed well, “On account of their unbelief, whereby they doubted and distrusted God’s power to destroy those who had chariots of iron and so gave way to their own fear and sloth, whereby God was provoked to withdraw His helping hand from them, and so they were really made impotent, as they were unwilling.”

Adam Clarke likewise observed well, “And the Lord was with Judah, and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron – Strange! Were the iron chariots too strong for Omnipotence? The whole of this verse is improperly rendered. The first clause, The Lord was with Judah should terminate the 18th verse, and this gives the reason for the success of this tribe: The Lord was with Judah, and therefore he slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, etc., etc. Here then is a complete period: the remaining part of the verse either refers to a different time, or to the rebellion of Judah against the Lord, which caused him to withdraw His support. Therefore, the Lord was with Judah, and these were the effects of His protection; but afterwards, when the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, etc., God was no longer with them, and their enemies were left to be pricks in their eyes, and thorns in their side, as God Himself had said.”

Numbers 33:55 (KJV) But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Joshua 23:11-13 (KJV) Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

Judges 2:3 (KJV) Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

Failing to Be Watchful (v21-35)

³⁴ And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: ³⁵ But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.

“…the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain…But the Amorites would dwell in …so that they became tributaries” (Judges 1:34)

We are brought to recall Romans 12:1-2 again.

William MacDonald said well, “Here, then, are three keys for knowing God’s will. The first is a yielded body, the second a separated life, and the third a transformed mind”.

The renewal of the mind comes with the meditation and imbibing of God’s Word in our heart and life. Moses left a deep conviction in Joshua’s heart of the benefit of keeping God’s Word. As Joshua inherited the mantle from Moses, the LORD gave him these instructions in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua lived a fruitful life in obedience to God’s Word.

Noah, too, lived a fruitful life in obedience to God’s Word. The Bible recorded in Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

The Bible tells us that we are living in the days of Noah. The world certainly does not know or realise the impending judgment upon planet earth! Life goes on as usual — eat, drink and be merry, we have much goods laid up for the future. The world feels very secure with its make-believe sense of prosperity.

The world system is committed to at least four major objectives, which I can summarize in four words: fortune, fame, power, pleasure. First and foremost: Fortune, money. The world system is driven by money; it feeds on materialism. Second: Fame. That is another word for popularity. Fame is the longing to be known, to be somebody in someone else’s eyes. Third: Power. This is having influence, maintaining control over individuals or groups or companies or whatever. It is the desire to manipulate and maneuver others to do something for one’s own benefit. Fourth: Pleasure. At its basic level, pleasure has to do with fulfilling one’s sensual desires. It’s the same mindset that’s behind the slogan: “If it feels good, do it.” (Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p.219)

Dear friends, this is the deception today as it was then in Noah’s time just before God brought on a global flood that destroyed the whole world. Be warned there is yet another global “flood” of God’s judgment that is coming. This time, it shall be by fire. This is recorded for us by the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:10-13, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” May God’s people be prepared.

We are to continually abstain from being conformed to the world and be continually transformed to imbibe God’s will in our lives. Realize that it is not by our strength that we can incline our heart and hands to do the will of God. We are to pray continually for God’s grace to help us to have the strength to obey His will.

Realize that God’s will is good. When we can walk in it, abide in it and experience God’s goodness. The psalmist testifies in Psalm 34:8-10 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. The God-fearer chooses to obey God’s Word. God blesses his consecration.

Know that God’s will is acceptable. The word means “desirable, fully-agreeable, well-pleasing.” It is heavenly wisdom, therefore, the best counsel for a blessed life.

Understand that God’s will is perfect. The word “perfect” means “lacking nothing necessary for completeness”.

THE WILL OF GOD

Nothing More
Nothing Less
Nothing Else
Nothing Better

Recall in Genesis 34-35, God instructed Jacob to return to Canaan. Instead, he resided at the outskirts of Canaan in Shechem for ten years. It was a “worldly” choice. He “conformed to the world” and refused to hearken to God’s will. It brought harm to his family. His daughter Dinah was defiled. He learned his lesson and listened to God’s instruction to go to Bethel. When he was in the will of God, God protected him and his family – Genesis 35:5 And they (Jacob’s family) journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

Indeed, God’s will is the best. May we walk in it with Him this day.

Give to God your wholehearted devotion is the call issued by the Apostel Paul. All that we are comes from Him. God made us with a mind, with a heart and with a will that we might think, love and obey Him freely.

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-79) of England began writing verse at age seven. Her insatiable thirst for the Bible led her to memorize the entire New Testament, Psalms, Isaiah, and the Minot Prophets. She was a concert contralto soloist and a brilliant classical pianist. She gave her life to Christ at age fifteen.

At age twenty-one she stood in the art gallery at Dusseldorf, Germany, looking at the painting of the crucifixion with the engraving beneath it: “This I have done for thee; what hast thou done for Me?” In the previous century the wealthy young Count Zinzendorf of Moravian missionary fame read these same words and was led to consecrate his life to Christ. As she stood there, her very soul was stirred. Tears cascaded down her cheeks. From that moment she dedicated her talents to the service of the Lord.

Through her life she was frail and dedicate in health and died at the early age of forty-two. When she wrote “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee,” it was for her a prayer. And when she penned the words, “Take my silver and my gold,” she did exactly that! She gave fifty pieces of jewelry (heirlooms) to the Church Missionary Society, including a jewel cabinet that she said was “fit for a countess.” She retained only a brooch for daily wear that was a memorial of her parents, and a locket with a portrait of her niece who had gone to heaven. Of that experience she wrote, “I don’t think I need tell you I never packed a box with such pleasure.” Despite the dark nights of frequent sickness and suffering, the dedicated life of this poetess can best be summed up in her prayer lyrics.

Despite the dark nights of frequent sickness and suffering, the dedicated life of this poetess can best be summed up in her prayer lyrics.

Take My life, and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to thee;

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow with ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move,

At the impulse of thy love;

Take my feet, and let them be

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing

Always, only for my King;

Take my lips, and let them be

Filled with messages for Thee

Take my silver and my gold,

Not a mite would I withhold;

Take my intellect, and use

Every power as Thou shalt choose

Take my will, and make it Thine,

It shall be no longer mine;

Take my heart; it is Thine own,

It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure-store;

Take myself, and I will be

Ever, only, all for thee.

[Extracted and edited from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariepy]

CONCLUSION

May the words of this beautiful hymn echo the prayer and consecration of our life. Amen.

2. Staying on Higher Ground: Be Not Conformed to the World

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