Judges

Book of Judges

First Impressions

- What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

It appears that the original readers (or hearers) of the book of Judges were the Israelites during the time of their first kings, Saul and David.  It repeatedly states in the book of Judges that, “in those days Israel had no king” (See Judges 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25).  This statement implies that the readers would have been familiar with the history of the Israelites.  It also implies that there would be a kingdom after the period of the judges. 

- What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

It is not clear from the text who the author of the book of Judges is; however, that person would have been very familiar with the history of the Israelites during the time period of judges.  According to the introduction to the book of Judges in the Sourceview Bible, the author of the book of Judges has been traditionally credited to the prophet, Samuel; however, it may have been written by one of his associates. 

- What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the "main idea"?

“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” (Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25).  After their leader, Joshua, had died, a “generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10).  God reminded the Israelites that they had a covenant with Him and they failed to uphold their part in the covenant. God then declared to the Israelites that He “will no longer drive out the people in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.” (See Judges 2:1-3).  After the death of Joshua and before the arrival of their first kings, Saul and David, the Israelites entered into a repeated cycle of sin and redemption.  The Israelites would do evil in the sight of the LORD by abandoning God and His ways and committing idolatry with pagan gods such as Baal.  God would become angry with them and punish them for their disobedience by allowing them to be defeated by their enemies.  After years of oppression from their enemies, the Israelites would cry out to God for deliverance.  God would respond to their cries for help by rescuing them through a hero called a judge.  The judge would rule over them and the Israelites would enjoy a time of peace.  However, the Israelites would quickly revert back to their old ways of doing evil in the sight of the LORD once their judge had passed away.  This cycle would repeat itself for approximately 350 years throughout the time period of judges.  A lack of faith in God leads to sinful disobedience to God.  Sinful disobedience to God leads to punishment from God.  Punishment from God leads to crying out to God for mercy and deliverance.  One of the main ideas in the book of Judges is that people tend to do what is right in their own eyes when they take their focus off God and His ways.  As a result, people tend to suffer the painful consequences of being disobedient to God.

- What is the primary reason this book was written?

The primary reason that the book of Judges was written was to remind the Israelites of their history during the time period of judges.  Hopefully, the Israelites would remember what they did right in God’s eyes as well as what they did wrong in God’s eyes.  Hopefully, the Israelites would choose to do what is right in God’s eyes and enjoy His blessings rather than do what is wrong in God’s eyes and suffer His punishment.

Theme Tracing

- What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

The book of Judges shows that God is faithful.  God had established a covenant with His people, the Israelites, and He upheld His part in the covenant.  When His people chose to disobey Him, they suffered the painful consequences for doing so.  For example, God told the Israelites, “you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this? So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.” (see Judges 2:2-3).  God is holy. God hates the sin of idolatry.  For example, Judges 3:7-8 states, “The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight. They forgot about the LORD their God, and they served the images of Baal and the Asherah poles. Then the LORD burned with anger against Israel, and he turned them over to King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim. And the Israelites served Cushan-rishathaim for eight years.”  This book also shows that God is merciful.  After suffering years of oppression, the Israelites would cry out to God and God in His mercy would deliver them and lead them into a time of rest and peace.  God is faithful to bless His people when they are obedient to Him and God is faithful to punish His people when they are disobedient to Him.  God loves His people.

- What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

Throughout the book of Judges, the Israelites would do evil in the sight of the LORD.  The LORD would then punish them for their sinful disobedience.  The Israelites would then cry out to the LORD for deliverance from their oppressors.  The LORD would then appoint a judge who would deliver them and lead them into a time of rest and peace.  The judges who are listed in the book of Judges point to our ultimate Judge who is Jesus.  Jesus is our true Deliverer!

Application questions

- Personal Application

The book of Judges reminds me of just how important it is to keep my focus on God and to do His will.  This book serves as a warning to me that if I take my focus off God then I may simply do what seems right in my own eyes and become disobedient to God.  I am reminded yet again that if I choose to be obedient to God and His ways then I will enjoy His blessings; however, if I choose to be disobedient to God and His ways then I will suffer His punishment.  I love God; therefore, I desire to be obedient to God.  I also desire to be blessed by God; therefore, I choose to be obedient to God.  In the book of Judges, the Israelites were commanded by God to completely drive out the Canaanites from their land.  From a human standpoint, the Israelites may have appeared to be somewhat successful in that they did indeed drive out some of their enemies.  However, from a Godly standpoint, their partial obedience is really disobedience.  They failed to drive out their enemies as God had commanded them to do.  As a result, they suffered the consequences for their disobedience.  As I reflect on my own life, I realize that I too have been disobedient to God in that I have allowed myself to make compromises when I should not have.  I endeavor to keep my focus on God and to do His will.  Toward this end, I will continue to read, study, and meditate upon His Word daily.

- Point of Passion

It is my desire to know God and to make Him known.  As I have studied the book of Judges, I am reminded of just how important it is for us as believers to keep our focus on God and on doing His will.  I am reminded of just how easy it is for us to take our focus off God and begin doing what seems right in our own eyes.  I am reminded of just how easy it is for us to be disobedient to God.  I am reminded that our disobedience to God results in painful consequences from God.  I am choosing to be obedient to God and His ways and I will continue to encourage others to be obedient to God and His ways as well.  I will encourage others to keep their focus on God and on doing His will so that they may enjoy His blessings rather than suffer His punishment.