C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON For March 29th, 2020 God in the Administration of Man. Unit Two: THROUGH THE JUDGES / LESSON SIX

Memory Scripture
Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us (Psalm 44:5).

The choice and use of Deborah to administer Israel is a proof that God is not gender-biased in the leadership of His people.

BRIEF COMMENT
God has chosen not to manage His own people, alone, despite that He could do it alone. He sometimes assigned angels where necessary, and used human of His choice and heart to direct, lead and supervise them. His choice of Israel made Him to use men, one after the other, who were privileged to carry out the task, until the turn of a woman (Deborah) came. The Israelites became known as the people who God fought for. Through, the enemies they encountered were not afraid of them as persons, they were afraid of their YAHWEH. It became known to all that God was fighting their battles.

The situation that led to the emergencebof Ehud and Deborah as the commander and judge over the Israelites is stressed by the psalmist in our Memory Scripture, with the belief in what God will do for His people. These leaders knew God to be their Deliverer from the past, now and for future. Both leaders trusted God for the defeat of Israel’s enemy. Former experiences of God’s power and goodness are strong supports for faith, and powerful plea in prayer under calamities, that befell them. Thus, in the name of Lord, the saints could set up their spiritual banners, and in His name, they would come forth and fight their spiritual enemies that rise up against them. And in your name, and through the power of the LORD, we tread them down as mire in the streets, and before long. Satan will be wholly bruised under us (Rom. 16:20).

Devotional Bible Readings For Week One
Mon. 23: Obedience to God Brings Lasting Peace (Lev. 26:1-6)
Tue. 24: Only the Obedience are Truly Victorious (Lev. 26:7-8)
Wed. 25: Obedience Attracts God’s Presence and Favour (Lev. 1012269174 6:9-13)
Thur. 26: Disobedience Courts God’s Wrath (Lev. 26:14-17)
Fri. 27: Disobedience Brings Terrible Consequences (Lev. 26:18-39)
Sat. 28: God would Restore the Repentant (Lev. 26:40-46)

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
1. Our comfort, strength and victory are guaranteed only when we stand with, and keep trusting in the Lord.
2. God’s act is in sense, educating the world to understand His way and deed through the ages as to work out His eternal plans.
3. God could govern the nations on the same principle as He governed Israel, only if He is recognised.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Deuteronomy 33:13-17

AIM AND OBJECTIVES
AIM: To affirm the course of God’s power and care to lead Israel in unimaginable ways that beat the strength of the enemies.

OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, it is expected that readers should be able to:
i. show that God can strategically use anybody to manifest His care and concern to people;
ii. be more available to take up challenges to lead people into the understanding fulfillment of God’s desire;
iii. show from the experiences of Ehud and Deborah that God can use anybody to accomplish His eternal redemptive purpose; and
iv. be more readily available to lead God’s people in the right path.

INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: JUDGES 3:12-30; 4:1-23
May the lessons we have been learning, so far, in this Sunday School series, remain permanent with us, and take us to heaven, in Jesus’ name. In the previous lesson, God helped us to x-ray issues that had to do with leadership succession among God’s people. Then, we saw how, sadly, Joshua, having received the leadership baton from Moses, didn’t hand it over to someone in particular. And that had grave implications on the generations after them. We saw Joshua the last leader who received divine mantle through Moses. It is our prayer that we will remain focused on God, forever.

This lesson is the sixth in the series and the second in the unit II. We shall be looking at the acts and activities of God in the leadership of a man called Ehud, and a strong woman judge in Israel called Deborah. The book of Judges 3:11-30; 4; 5 relate these wonderful and life-changing accounts to us. God really worked through both of them to accomplish Him eternal purpose for His people.

As we delve into the lesson, may the Holy Spirit make us available to witness more of God’s dealing over, in and through us, in Jesus’ name.. Amen.

INTRODUCTION TO EACH DIVISION
This lesson is divided into 2 different but interrelated sections. Each of these is further divided into parts A and B respectively.

DIVISION I: EHUD THE LEFT-HANDED
The division I of this lesson is to show the acts of Ehud the left-handed man, who came on board to be used of God to deliver the Israelites from the wicked King Eglon of Moab, and later became judge of God’s people for some years. With wisdom and the help of God, he succeeded in defended in defeating the king. This is discussed under two parts: Helped To Take Up The Challenge and Helped To Lead The People Of God.

DIVISION II: DEBORAH THE STRONG WOMAN
Deborah, like every other woman, was a house wife, prophetess and judge of God’s people. Her position and stand as judge over the people, show her as a virtuous woman. And by her obedience, the battle that was already won by God was accomplished. The two parts of this division tell us a lot about this virtuous woman, Deborah. The first shows her as having the right qualities, while the second shows how she became a great leader with great exploits.

LESSON EXPOSITION
I. The case of this left-handed man shows that God does not look as man may look. Unknown to people, his victory that crowned him judge over Israel was hidden in the hand that seemed irrelevant to some people. And for him, he never looked down on himself. Rather, he got set for the task, until its accomplishment.

A. HELPED TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE (3:12-25)
But when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab (v. 15).
i. vv. 12-15a: God always intervenes, interjects and interrupts. For 18 years His people, for their own sins, were subdued and subjected under their foes, but when they called on God, He effortlessly intervened.
ii. vv. 15b: God couldas well deliver them without them first calling on Him. Yet, He chose to work that way (cf. Psa. 50:15; Jer. 33:3). Calling on God was a demonstration of their humility and the acceptance of their guilt.
iii. God unquestionably chose Ehud, a left-handed man, for their deliverance. This shows how God can decide to lay hands on anybody, to be to be used for His glory (cf. 2 Kgs. 7:9-10; Daniel 11:32).
iv. vv. 16-18: God’s wisdom and motivation on display in the life and leadership of Ehud. God endowed him to make an unusual weapon for the great task. No leaders in any sphere can perform beyond the level of God they possess.
v. vv. 19-25: Ehud’s tact and strategy, where did they come from? Could it be his own making? No. That is God in action, absolutely (Isa. 41:7-10)
vi. God is expecting people who would take up the challenges He allows around us to fulfil His eternal redemptive purpose. Will you make yourself available for His use?

B. HELPED TO LEAD THE PEOPLE OF GOD (vv. 11-15 6-30)
Then he said to them, “Follow me, for the Lord has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they went down after him, seized the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over (Judges 3:28).
i. vv. 26: Nothing has suggested that Ehud was motivated by his human ability or personal strength. He enjoyed divine backing in all ramification (cf. Psa. 18:28-36; Prov. 13:16). After all, he could have been caught before he escaped the scene. No one can jump at the helm of any affairs and succeed without God.
ii. vv. 27: The victory God gave Ehud became a yardstick to motivate the entire Israel to seized power from their enemies. That was after God had answered their prayer and divinely raised a deliverer. What are you enjoying that you think is made possible by your effort/goodness (Job 8:11-18; Isa. 3:11)?
iii. vv. 30: Victory is of the Lord! The Israelites enjoyed unprecedented victory over their enemies and a period of respite, after 18 years, because they called on God. If we continuously fail to accept and appreciate God’s sovereignty, we would continually languish in anguish. God forbid!
v. People are often shocked by the level of deceit and violence Ehud displayed in carrying out his plan. In reality, Ehud was commissioned by God to lead a military operation. His motives and actions were similar to a modern-day combatant, killing an enemy warriors during a time of war.

LESSONS DERIVED
1. God does not need to call a committee to get His tasks done, using anybody, anything, or any circumstance.
2. Man’s deficiency never translates to barriers/hurdles, when God is set to move. That is when He takes all the glory.

WORK TO DO
God’s project (assignment) must strive in our hand, what can we do to achieve this for God?

SUGGESTED ANSWER TO WORK TO DO
i. Our God is a progressive God; therefore, everything about Him must progress.
ii. Personally, you must know Him first and find out the reasons for Him giving you the project.
iii. Identify with Him for the course of the project as you see it to be a privilege.
iv. We must know that God’s project is of various kinds, varying from one degree of capacity to the other.
v. God Himself knows that you are capable of handling any of His projects given you to anchor, because He has deposited in you, the grace to do so.
vi. Sit up to it, never lose focus, give it all it takes, and get it done.
vii. Be courageous, committed, dedicated, and give it ultimate attention.
viii. Knock out the devil away from tampering with it, and mind the kind of counsel you seek.
ix. Do not compromise, even when challenges surface.
x. Prayer aspect must not be neglected.