You Can Read the Bible Guided Podcast

Twenty years have passed since we last saw Samson in action, and it appears that his strength has not abated – nor has the Philistines’ hatred of him.  But something else has a hold on him, and it brings his ruin when he falls in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.  Her motivations are clear from the outset: a substantial financial reward awaits her if she’s able to subdue Samson.  Less clear is what’s driving Samson, who will not realize – until it’s too late – that the LORD had left him.  

In chapter 17 the camera moves once again, pulling away from the Judges themselves and focusing on scenes of Israelite life during this period.  In fact, the only thread connecting chapters 16 and 17 is the amount of silver that changes hands in each story.   

The first undated account tells how Micah, an Ephraimite, returns pilfered silver to his mother, who is so elated that she “solemnly consecrates [her] silver to the LORD for [her] son to make an image...”  You have probably already discerned the multiple violations of the covenant, and there will be more before our time is up.   The second account, in chapter 18, tells how the tribe of Dan secured land in northern Canaan, and also did some stealing of their own.

This is another story where dialogue drives the plot, revealing the character of both speaker and nation.  When Micah hires a sojourning Levite as his personal priest, he celebrates his good fortune: “Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest.”  And when an armed militia from the tribe of Dan comes and steals Micah’s priest and idols, they warn him, “Don’t argue with us, or some of the men may get angry and attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.”

In those days Israel had no king.  The phrase for which Judges is best known does not appear until chapter 18, and is the hinge on which this story swings.  You can consider the author’s purpose for making this observation at all, and for inserting it where he does, as you watch the story unfold.

Our verse for this week is John 3:35: The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

Judges chapters 16 through 18.  Now let’s read it!

We’re at the midpoint of Judges and it’s an appropriate time to take stock of our journey.  Probably a few hundred years has passed since Joshua led Israel in its first conquests.  While a series of judges has been raised up to deliver Israel and serve as a nominal leader, no one has held the stature and position of Moses and Joshua for many generations. 

The land, which was to have been cleared of its inhabitants, seems instead to be teeming with them – and their gods, among them the Baals and the Asherah.  It is not that the LORD has been entirely forgotten, but that it’s been all too tempting for Israel to absorb the practices of those around them.  This was by no means unique in the ancient world; in fact, Yahweh’s demand that Israel worship Him alone was exceptional.  But it was what He expected, and His demand for exclusivity followed His rescue of Israel from Egypt. 

I’ve asked you before to listen not only for what is present in Judges, but also for what is missing.  There has not yet been a mention of the Ark of the Testimony, where Moses and Joshua had spoken with God.  Thus far in Judges, the LORD has spoken through prophets, through angels, but only once directly to a man.  The LORD has been observed disciplining Israel, fighting for Israel, but not directing Israel’s paths as He did through the exodus, wilderness, and conquest.  

Listen for the LORD’s interactions through today’s reading.  We begin in chapter 12 with a return to the world of Jephthah, whose term overseeing the Eastern tribes includes an inter-tribal scrap reminiscent of Gideon’s.  A series of less noteworthy judges follows, and sharp readers will notice that there is no longer a mention of the “land resting” during their tenures.

The last three chapters today cover the birth story and early exploits of Samson.  This is not a safe Sunday School story, but one of deceit, despair, and troubling developments.  As this book is ultimately about the LORD, pay attention as much to His actions as you do to Samson’s.

Our verse for this week is John 3:35: The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

Judges chapters 12 through 15.  Now let’s read it!

The first story today regards Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal.  Remember that Jerubbaal is what the Israelites called Gideon, and his son’s name is a curious choice.  For a man who swore, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you…” it’s odd that he should name his son Abimelech, which means, “My father is king.” 

Nonetheless after Gideon’s death Abimelech – obviously with help from Shechem – slaughters most of his brothers and sets himself up as king over a substantial portion of Israel.  The solution, in the author’s eyes, is for God to intervene, by sending an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, that the blood of Gideon’s sons would be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.  

Notice how, in a Genesis way, God is allowing, even encouraging, Israel to experience the weight of its sin.  This is explicit in chapter 10, when the LORD responds to Israel’s cries for help: “Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites…?  Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more.  Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen…”   Israel responds by putting away their gods, and the author cryptically observes that the LORD became impatient over the misery of Israel.

The scene shifts east of the Jordan, to Gilead, and listen to how Jephthah is introduced at the beginning of chapter 11.  Listen also to how Jephthah’s story emulates Gideon’s: the Spirit of the LORD is upon him, his clan raises him up as leader, yet there’s an uneasy feeling about the whole thing.  As you read the end of this story – the part regarding Jephthah’s infamous vow – listen to what the author emphasizes and consider what purpose the author is attempting to fulfill. 

Our verse for this week is John 3:35: The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 

Judges chapters 9 through 11.  Now let’s read it!