JUDGES
Context
Judges is the seventh book of the Bible and covers the period between Joshua's death and the establishment of the monarchy. It describes a dark time in Israel's history when 'everyone did what was right in their own eyes' and shows the consequences of abandoning God's law.
Written around 1000-900 BC, Judges covers approximately 300 years of Israel's history. The book reveals the cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterized this chaotic period before Israel had a king.
Summary
Introduction and Early Judges (Ch. 1-5)
After Joshua's death, Israel fails to completely drive out the Canaanites, leading to future problems. The cycle begins: Israel sins, God allows oppression, they cry out, and God raises up judges like Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah to deliver them. Deborah's song celebrates God's victory.
Gideon and the Midianites (Ch. 6-8)
Gideon, initially fearful and doubtful, becomes a mighty warrior through God's strength. With only 300 men, he defeats the vast Midianite army, demonstrating that victory comes from God, not human strength. However, Gideon later makes an idol, showing the cycle of failure.
Samson and the Philistines (Ch. 13-16)
Samson, a Nazirite from birth, possesses supernatural strength but struggles with personal sin and poor choices. His story shows both God's power working through flawed people and the consequences of disobedience. His final act of faith brings down the Philistine temple.
The Depths of Depravity (Ch. 17-21)
The book concludes with shocking stories of idolatry, theft, and civil war, showing how far Israel had fallen. The repeated phrase 'In those days Israel had no king' emphasizes the need for proper leadership and sets up the transition to the monarchy.
Practice Questions & Answers
Judges shows the cycle of Israel's disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through God-appointed leaders. It reveals the need for a righteous king and the consequences of doing 'what was right in their own eyes.'
The cycle is: Israel sins and worships idols, God allows foreign oppression, Israel cries out for help, God raises up a judge to deliver them, there is peace during the judge's lifetime, then the cycle repeats.
The judges were military leaders and deliverers raised up by God to rescue Israel from foreign oppressors. They included figures like Deborah, Gideon, Samson, and others who led Israel during this chaotic period.
Judges reveals the depravity of human nature and the tendency to turn away from God when left to our own devices. It shows that without proper leadership and accountability, people naturally drift into sin and idolatry.
The repeated failures and chaos in Judges demonstrate that Israel needed a righteous king to lead them properly. This sets up the transition to the monarchy and ultimately points to the need for Christ, the perfect King.