The children of Israel started out on the right foot in finding a leader. They needed wisdom and direction and asked the Lord for His choice of leadership. We too should follow their example. We are promised wisdom if we will ask the Lord for it (James 1:5). Israel’s work began in sincerity and earnest, but it ended in weakness. Chapter one is the chapter of failure and defeat. God’s people are about to find out that their greatest threat was not a military threat, but a spiritual one. The attitudes