Judges begins with the facts of Israel’s condition at Joshua’s death. The facts include that under Joshua, Israel failed to drive the Canaanites out of the land as God commanded.

I. Devotion to God. Before Moses died, God appointed Joshua as successor (23" class="scriptRef">Num 27:15-23; Deut 3:28; 31:7-8, 23; 34:9). The Book of Joshua begins with Israel camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River poised to enter Canaan. The generation to conquer and inhabit the land outlived their parents who died wandering in the wilderness and worshiping idols even after being delivered out of political slavery in Egypt (Lev 17:7; Josh 24:14-15; Ezek 20:6-8; Amos 5:25-26; Acts 7:42-43).
There is no neutrality or compromise in God’s kingdom. We all worship/serve something. No one can serve two gods (Mt 6:24). If we don’t serve the God of the Bible, it’s a false god. God is jealous (Ex 20:5) and one of His divine names is Jealous (Ex 34:14). He won’t allow even the hint of duplicity to come between Him and His people.
In his final words, Joshua called the Jews to devote themselves to obey and serve God and God alone. God, who knows the heart and mind of every person, would reveal every hidden disloyalty and would judge those who served Him from fake, dishonorable, or disrespectful hearts (Josh 24:14-28).

II. Unity of Heart (Judg 1:1). After nearly 40 years in the promised land, Joshua died. Joshua wasn’t Moses, but he was a great leader. One of his strengths was in creating a single national identify out of twelve very different tribes of people. When the people of a nation begin to act individually, everyone doing what seems right in his own eyes, that nation is doomed to spiritual apathy, moral awfulness, and political anarchy.
Disagreement is easy; unity is hard but blessed work (Ps 133). There is a difference between being united and having unity. Two cats can be united in one burlap sack, but there will be no unity. Unity occurs when two or more people have the same heart, mind, goals, purposes, and desires, working together to fulfill those things. Jesus prayed for unity in the church (Jn 17:23).
Love and truth are necessary foundations for unity in the Church (Eph 3:14-21). And while God wants us to live in harmony, it’s not always possible because sin gets in the way (Rom 12:18).
In Ephesians, Paul exhorts God’s family to live in unity (Eph 4:1-3), describes that unity (Eph 4:4-6), explains spiritual gifts as a means of unity (Eph 4:7-11), and reveals the result of spiritual gifts properly used in the church (Eph 4:12-16): Jesus is glorified, believers grow spiritually, and the world knows that we are Christ’s disciples (Jn 13:35) when we live in harmony.

III. Solidarity of Purpose (Judg 1:2-3). Joshua taught Israel to seek the Lord, and his leadership was most tested by his death. Unlike Moses, Joshua died without a successor, but Israel was united. As one nation under God, Israel asked the Lord how to move forward (Judg 1:1).
We don’t know how the people inquired of the Lord, and consulting the Lord isn’t mentioned again until chapter 20. Consulting the Lord’s direction is the best measure before any undertaking. God answered that the tribe of Judah was to act first. He’d already given them the land but they’d failed to possess it all and therefore were unable to enjoy it all. The phrase I have delivered … into your hand (Judg 1:2) is an idiom or figure of speech which means that what God has promised He will fulfill. Victory comes from God, but we must still fight by trusting in God for the final outcome (Phil 2:12-13; Col 3:5).
Judah’s leaders asked the tribe of Simeon to join the effort with the promise to help them in return (Judg 1:3). Like King Saul and Judas, many start well, but fail to finish (1 Sam 12:1-13:14; Mt 10:1-4; 27:3-10; Phil 2:16). A good start is important, but how you finish is everything (Lk 9:62; Gal 2:2; Phil 2:16; 2 Tim 4:7). Jesus triumphantly finished His race (Phil 2:5-11; Heb 12:1-2) Thankfully, Jesus is also the Author and Finisher of our faith, and those He saves, He saves to the uttermost (Phil 1:6; Heb 7:25; 12:1-2).