Judges

29 | T r u e N o r t h M i n i s t r i e s
Studying the Whole Bible for Applying God’s Word in My Daily Life
JUDGES
Author: Samuel (or a contemporary of his 1050-1000 BC)
Judges 1:1-2:5 and Judges 2:6-3:6 are both introductory, background type of material with the chronology and events f Judges beginning at 2:10 are events that certainly took place after Joshua’s death.
Note: Joshua’s death is recorded twice, first at the opening of the book “After the death of Joshua” and later in 2:6-10 where it is described more fully. (His death had been recorded in Joshua 24:29-31)

There are three explanations as to how the book of Judges begins with ‘After the death…” and then a chapter plus later describes his death. The simplest and what seems clearest to me at least, is that usually the first sentence carries the title of the book, so the book of Judges may have been named the book titled, “After the Death of Joshua” and then goes on to tell the events leading up to his death… Work out for yourselves how important this statement is for understanding the book… so we won’t focus on it further
Israel was living as a group of twelve separate tribes, not really a united nation but still a theocracy (God ruling) over all. God used special men and women over this period of time to bring His messages of judgment on the tribes. Over this period there were twelve judges, not one per tribe, just that there happened to be twelve of them. (Abimelech is not included, not God appointed.)
30 | T r u e N o r t h M i n i s t r i e s
Studying the Whole Bible for Applying God’s Word in My Daily Life
Judges
MILITARY CONQUESTS – although given the land by God it was still up to them to conquer the Canaanites that were living in their tribal areas.
Remember in Genesis 49:8 Jacob (Israel) gave preeminence in his blessings to Judah? That is why Judah is seen as the first or primary tribe. All others worked with them.
It made tactical sense for Judah and Simeon to form an agreement for mutual defense and fighting since they shared a southern border and also, too, Simeon and Judah had a bond being brothers of the same parents, Leah and Jacob. Common enemy: Canaanites (probably a general name given to any non-Israelite tribe living here in what was called the Land of Canaan- more correctly the Canaanites lived along the coastal areas and in the hills were the Amorites, but general terminology, just call them all Canaanites, except when you don’t!)
JUDAH defeats the Canaanites and Perizzites defeating 10,000 men at Bezek. There they cut off the thumbs and big toes of the king… retribution since he had done the same to 70 kings before. Doing so made it so king could not hold weapon nor stand well in battle so he lost his kingship.
Conquest of Judah and Simeon of the south side of Jerusalem (Hebron) later Judah had trouble, like Benjamin tribe also had in defeating the Jebusites in Jerusalem proper and it caused trouble later.
Conquests continue but then the ANGEL of the LORD (a theophany- an appearance of God) is Christ in pre-incarnate form. He speaks to the people and tells them that they have violated they covenant by making a treaty with the Gibeonites (remember their trickery in Joshua) and in making slaves of some of the Canaanites.
“WHY have you done this?”
Israel’s disobedience brought a loss of divine protection in battle. Their inter-marrying with the Canaanites caused the people to be tolerant of and even take part in their idolatry. This brings about a CYCLE in the book of Judges… FAILURE-JUDGMENT-REPENTANCE- FAILURE…
CYCLE of JUDGMENT (three slides in ppt)

31 | T r u e N o r t h M i n i s t r i e s
Studying the Whole Bible for Applying God’s Word in My Daily Life
Judges
. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PERIOD OF THE JUDGES (21:25)
21:25. The Book of Judges concludes with a final restatement of human failure concerning the moral and social anarchy of this period which preceded the monarchy. As stated three times before, Israel had no king (cf. 17:6; 18:1; 19:1). The fact that everyone did as he wished is a sad commentary on the deplorable spiritual condition of the nation in those days. Though Israel suffered under the oppression of many enemies, God’s grace was repeatedly evident when the people turned to Him in repentance. The Book of Judges illustrates both God’s justice and His grace—justice in punishing sin and grace in forgiving sin.
1
32 | T r u e N o r t h M i n i s t r i e s
Studying the Whole Bible for Applying God’s Word in My Daily Life
Judges
NOTES