Introduction
When you think of the book of Judges …What event comes to mind?What character comes to mind?What quality of God comes to mind?What spiritual takeaway comes to mind?Judges depicts a bleak chapter in Israel’s history: one of idol worship and faithlessness, necessitating God’s continual intervention to punish and deliver the Israelites from oppression.Psalms 106:34, 37-38Ruth 1:1Historical context of Judges
Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt and then thoroughly and repeatedly warned against the pitfalls of living in Canaan.Deuteronomy 4:1, 9, 23-24; 11:18-23, 26-28Covers a period of about 300 years and depicts part of the transition from “house of the father” (e.g. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) to tribal confederacy to dynastic monarchy.First event chronologically – Judges 2:6The Israelites go from a time of relative unity (under Moses and Joshua’s leadership) to assimilating with heathen nations to anarchy and civil war.What did the judges do?
God intended for judges to lead throughout Israel (Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 17:8-13).Described using one or two Hebrew words – the first associated with saving or rescuing and the second with dispensing judgment.Both found in the accounts of Othniel and Deborah (Judges 3:9-10; 4:4, 9-10), but more often the judges are said to serve as deliverers, (military) leaders, or decision makers.Outline of Judges
Chapters 1-2 – Roots of Israel’s apostasyChapters 3-16 – The downward spiral of Israel’s apostasyChapters 17-21 – The depths of Israel’s apostasyLatter parts of the narrative focuses on two points (Judges 21:25)“in those days there was no king in Israel”“everyone did what was right in his own eyes”Several graphic descriptions of God’s judgment (Ehud and Eglon) but also of wanton violence and depravity (Levite’s concubine).General observations
God’s intervention does not imply either commendation or condemnation.Judges 14:4God’s silence does not imply either commendation or condemnation.Imagine trying to please God while living in Israel during this time.God’s people need godly leaders.Worldly surroundings negatively influence us.We must take God’s warnings seriously!Class goals
Better understanding of the text and its place in the Bible story.Greater appreciation for God’s character.Increased knowledge of the divine perspective on human nature.Learn how to escape the trap into which the Israelites fell (Judges 8:34; II Peter 1:9).
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