In this final lesson from the book of Judges the depravity of the people will reach tragic and horrific depths. Their downward spiral of wickedness in chapters 19-21 points to their need for a better and true Judge and Deliverer, a true and righteous King. 

Apologies for no podcast for last week's lesson. Due to user error there was no audio on the recording!

The Biblical narrative of Samson continues in Judges 16. Samson's recklessness escalates, as does his inability to resist beautiful women. His story closes on a pitiful note but one that gives us hope in the day of trouble when we too despair of being beyond the grace of God.

After studying Samson's nativity in the last lesson, we continue his story in Judges 14 and 15. We will seek his weaknesses and his willfulness on full display! But the Lord is at work and His purposes will prevail. He will use Samson to begin to deliver His people from the Philistines, just as He promised.

Today's lesson focuses on Judges 13 and the last of the judges in the book of Judges, Samson. Upon first glance, it may seem as if this chapter doesn’t have all that much to say to us, but I think we will be encouraged by its account of Samson’s miraculous birth. 

In our lesson covering Judges 10:6-12:15, we discuss one of the saddest and most foolish vows in all of the Bible. The book of Judges continues to instruct us in the escalating nature of sin and rebellion and the tyranny of idolatry. Our souls are desperately sick and hopelessly enslaved apart from the Lord's deliverance!

Our lesson will cover the conclusion of Gideon's story in Judges 8. What an interesting and conflicted character! Judges 9 will then show us the escalation of Israel's downward spiral into apostasy and rebellion under the leadership of Gideon's son Abimelech. We discuss the sobering lessons the Bible has for us in the horrific circumstances of Judges 8 and 9.

Judges 7 continues the story of Gideon and the unexpected and unusual way the Lord secures victory for His people. We also talk further about knowing the will of the Lord.

In this lesson we focus on Gideon and Judges 6. The angel of the Lord hails Gideon as a mighty man of valor and yet his actions seem to indicate he is anything but. We will also discuss what we are to make of the laying of the fleece and how Gideon's requests for signs instruct us.

Today's lesson focuses on Judges 4 and 5 and an unusual judge among the judges we will study. Not only is this judge not a warrior, she is also not a man! Deborah will describe herself as a "mother in Israel" and we will discuss both her leadership and the faith (or lack?) of her commander Barak. We will also look at another strong woman of valor, Jael, and her rather gruesome triumph over the evil Sisera. 

The cycle of rebellion and redemption takes on flesh and blood as we study the first three judges in Judges 3:7-31. We will look at the first of several rather graphic portions of Scripture and discuss the truth that God delights to use ordinary, unlikely means to achieve His purposes.