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Judges 1:1-2:3 – Praying through the Bible #68 – A Prayer Against Iron Chariots
“All’s well that ends well” but not all’s well that begins well. Judges 1 begins by mentioning Joshua’s death, a man whose record in Judges is one of multiple triumphs. Thirty-one kings defeated (Josh.12:9-24). His last speech is renowned: “As for me and my house, we will worship Yahweh” (Josh.24.15). Because of his influence, after his death, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to fight for us against the Canaanites?” (Judg.1.1) Judah is the divine answer. Beginning with prayer is always a positive beginning.
Success follows. Adoni-bezek, who defeated 70 kings, and cut off their thumbs and big toes, is defeated. He receives Lex Talionis justice, and declares the divine retribution: “God has repaid me for what I have done” (1.6-7). More victories follow.
Then there is this strange verse, an unfortunate turn of events, and confusion for the reader. “The LORD was with Judah and enabled them to take possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the people who were living in the valley because those people had iron chariots” (1.19). “Iron chariots” has become a catchphrase to mock theism. “What, can’t your omnipotent god defeat a little ole’ iron chariot?”
After this failure, “the Benjaminites did not drive out the Jebusites” (1.21); “Manasseh failed” (1.27); “Ephraim failed” (1.29); “Zebulun failed” (1.30); “Asher failed” (1.31); “Naphtali did not drive out the residents of Beth-Shemesh;” and humiliatingly, “the Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to go down into the valley” (1.34). Considering this is the Promised Land that would be like a burglar kicking you out of your house and not letting you in!
All these failures began with Judah’s failure due to iron chariots. During the victories, God was with them. Immediately before this failure, the Lord was with them. Something changed and that something is symbolized by the iron chariots. After these failures, Judges 2 begins with the Angel of the LORD reminding Israel of their covenant with God and rebuking them: “But you have not obeyed Me. What is this you have done? Therefore, I now say, I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns in your sides… (2.2-3). What had they done? What happened? Israel disobeyed God, most likely by being afraid of the iron chariots. Fear overcame faith. As with Adoni-bezek, God repaid them for what they had done. Israel needed to pray about the iron chariots. They began well, but all’s well only when we pray through the end.
Prayer Challenge: Beginning with prayer is not enough. Fear can destroy faith. Failure is contagious. Begin with prayer, but do not forget to pray, and remain faithful when “iron chariots” cause fear and doubt. So what are our iron chariots?
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