. . .Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…
Hebrews 12:1b-2a
Do you find yourself at times starting a new opportunity or project with great enthusiasm and energy only to find that as the situation grows more difficult and demanding, your enthusiasm wanes, and your energy is depleted?
You become easily distracted by anything that appears more appealing. You look for something more important that could “demand” your attention. Any excuse that could gracefully extricate you from the now-loathsome project gets your serious consideration. The truth is you want to wipe your hands of the situation and walk away.
In the first chapter of Judges, that is precisely the situation in which Israel found itself. Moses had died, leaving Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Many battles were fought and with God’s divine leading the Israelites were victorious time after time.
Judges 1:1 begins, “After the death of Joshua…,” and so began the period of the Judges. Judges 1:1 goes on to say, “The people inquired of the LORD.” Israel started out on the right foot, but before the chapter closes, fractures in Israel’s obedience begin to appear.
A quick step backward: In the last two chapters of Joshua (Ch. 23, 24), Joshua, the aging leader of God’s people reminded Israel of all that God had done for them – from freeing them from the slavery of Egypt, providing for them through the forty years in the desert, and giving them victories in battle once they entered the Land of Promise.
Joshua urged the Israelites to stay the course, remain obedient to their LORD and God in all things, and love God with all their hearts. He told them if they were diligent in their obedience, God would continue to fight for them, and no enemy would be able to stand against them.
Joshua then challenged Israel to pick a side – choose whom they would serve (Joshua 24:14-28). When the people resoundingly chose to follow God, Joshua warned them of the consequences of not remaining faithful to their commitment.
Back to Judges 1: Israel began to suffer defeats; they were unable to drive the idolatrous nations out of the land and instead began to cohabitate with the enemies of God. (Judges 1:1, 19, 21, 27, 29-31, 33)
In Judges 2, God sent this message to Israel:
…But you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? So now I say, “I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”
Judges 2:2b-3 ESV
By verse 11 in that same Chapter (2), Israel had forsaken Jehovah God; they were caught up in the wickedness and idol worship of the nations that had indeed become thorns in their side.
After approximately 400 years, twelve judges, and an accelerating downward spiral of debauchery and apostasy, the Book of Judges closes with these words:
“Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges 21:10
Israel didn’t keep their commitment to God. They did not finish the job they had been given by God.
Israel had unfinished business with God.
In the New Testament letters of the Apostle Paul, it’s clear to see the direct influence of Paul’s Old Testament scholarship in so much of his Holy Spirit-inspired writing.
Paul understood how Israel’s cycle of disobedience and leaving their God-assigned tasks unfinished had eventually resulted in the broken religious system followed by the majority of Jews during Paul’s time. A broken religious system in which Paul had once played a key role.
Paul wrote ardently about the need to finish the course – run the race – complete the ministry that God had given to him. Paul wanted no unfinished business in his own walk with God. And he wanted the same for all Christ-followers. He repeatedly challenges believers to leave no unfinished business.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24 ESV
To the Church at Corinth, Paul wrote regarding the gift that they had committed to the poverty-stricken believers in Jerusalem: “Finish the work” – you were eager to make the commitment, now be eager to give the gift. (2 Corinthians 8:11, 9:5)
Leave no business unfinished.
In Galatians, Paul reminded believers that the only way to finish the race – to complete the assignment – was (is) to walk in the Spirit, trusting in Jesus Christ alone as the only means of salvation. (Galatians 2:15-16, 5:16-26)
Leave no business unfinished.
In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul writes to his beloved son in the faith:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 ESV
Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ spoke about finishing the work that His Father sent Him to earth to do. Jesus was determined and steadfast that He would live in total obedience to His Father and complete the divine assignment He had been given.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. John 4:34 NIV
John 4:34 NIV
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish–the very works that I am doing–testify that the Father has sent me. John 5:36 NIV
John 5:36 NIV
John wrote this of our Savior’s crucifixion:
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” … When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:28, 30 NIV
Our Savior on the cross, in His agony, was mindful of His commitment to obedience to His Father and was determined that no task would be left undone – no business of the Father left unfinished. He did that for us.
What unfinished God-assigned business might you have in your life that awaits your obedient completion?
A prayer that needs to be said.
A relationship in need of repair.
A sin that needs to be confessed.
A commitment to be fulfilled.
Whatever it may be, that’s between you and God.
It is my prayer that you will run your race well, complete your course, and leave no business unfinished.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV