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Just as ancient Israel was intended to set an example for the surrounding nations, the modern church should be a force for positive cultural change. Unfortunately, this cannot happen if the church lets go of moral standards. In the first episode of this three-part series, Keith Holloway looks at the difference between a nation that stands and a nation that falls.

Key Points from the Podcast

• Even though the book of Judges was written centuries ago, we can still learn valuable lessons from it today.

• God’s intention has always been, and it remains today, that his people would establish a godly culture in their land and not follow the worldly culture around them.

• Through the book of Judges, we see Israel move through seven cycles of sin and salvation as they move from theocracy (ruled by God) to anarchy (ruled by lawlessness) to monarchy (ruled by man).

• In the demise of a nation, we see religious apostasy—an outright rejection of God and authority, replaced by each person doing what seems right in their own eyes.

• After rejecting God, a nation in demise will start to rationalize God and sin, leading to moral depravity.

• Finally, a nation in demise will fall into governmental anarchy—the absence of any governmental or political authority. 

Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast

Judges 2:18–19; Leviticus 22–23; Deuteronomy 6:14; Joshua 1:1–9; Judges 17; Judges 19–21