(17:1-2) Micah had stolen this money from his own mother. The Book of Judges is a philosophy of history. 3, p. 440). Ironically, we first met Gideon while threshing, and we will once again see him in that role but with a macabre twist.[54]. (3:15a) The Israelites cried out to God. (6:1a) Again, the Israelites rejected Gods leadership. was a dark age of sorts. Lesson One . If you think they are so wonderful, go to them for help!. Judges. It is a historical book in that it gives an insight into the period of time between Joshua and Samuel. Two of the most famous judges were anything but paragons of virtue. The world is a confusing place right now. (ESV)Judges 16:30And Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines." This was a liberating song, because they took back land from tyrants. ), The Expositors Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. This was not due to Israels merits or its repentance. Samson violated all of the main provisions of his Nazirite vow (Judg. Judges paints a clear antithesis for what can happen if we dont replace ourselves. Similarly, those who take steroids build muscle faster than the needed skeletal structure. But the people did not take their God very seriously, and were continually falling away into Idolatry. This is the same language used in Exodus 2:24, when the people groaned under the slavery of Pharaoh. Gideon was to use the wood from the broken down altars to light a fire for the true worship of Yahweh (offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down). You would expect these peoplewho were delivered out of Egypt, led through the wilderness for forty years, and brought into the land with such demonstration of Gods power and directionto attain a high level of living and victory in the land, and in their lives. Judges. Purpose and Pattern The book of Judges was written to show the consequences of religious unfaithfulness and to point the way to a king who, if righteous, would lead the people to God. (4:17) Sisera headed north to reach safety in Hazor with Jabin. 3, p. 489). He sent his army in to fight. Order at store.lds.org. (13:22) This is one of the reasons that theologians believe that the angel of the Lord is God himself, taking on the form of an angel or a man. He enticed him by telling him that he had a secret message. The Book of Judges . Why did God allow such anarchy to begin with? Judges Historical Background and Chronological Introduction ), In this day of gathering storms, as moral deterioration of political power spreads its growing infection, it is essential that every spiritual force be mobilized to defend and preserve the religious base upon which this nation is founded; for it has been that base which has been the motivating impulse to our moral and national growth. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. (8:32) He lived a long and full life. PDF The Book of Judges - Floral Heights Church of Christ [108] One additional detail is the fact that the Israelites burned the city, and the smoke served as a sign to the Israelites and Benjamites alike that the city was destroyed. (16:29-30) He went beast mode one final time, taking down the entire leadership of the Philistines. Instead, he later joins them. However, the story was different when the men of Succoth and Peniel saw the kings of Midian captured. Judges. The author repeats these words four times in these final chapters (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). (7:15) This bolstered Gideons faith. God wouldnt predict the birth of a baby only to thwart his own prediction by killing the parents. A literal translation would be, If [you] had not plowed with this heifer of mine, [You] would not have found out this riddle of mine.[83]. -Eli and Samuel, though spoken of as judging Israel (1 Sam. Book of Judges Overview - Insight for Living Ministries (2:18) Even though they were spiritual prostitutes, God still heard their groaning for help. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, UK: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. (16:23-24) Dagon comes up again in 1 Samuel 5. The theme of Judges is the downward spiral of Israels national and spiritual life into chaos and rebellion against God, showing the need for a godly king (17:6; 21:25). 14:5-6). Since the king didnt listen, Jephthah went to war against him. the preterist view- the predictions of, Introduction to the Book of Genesis - . how important is the book of mormon to us ? [24] Wolf, H. (1992). They also didnt listen to Gods commands about staying separate (vv.6-7). 3, p. 469). Here, Gaal argues that Abimelechs father was an Israelite (Gideon), whereas the men of Shechem traced their lineage back to Hamorthe Hivite (Gen. 34:2). Gideon overheard the Midianites talking about him in the camp. However, his foolish vow stole the excitement and reward from the victory. [28] Wolf, H. (1992). One of the men tells another about a dream that he hadabout a loaf of bread coming into the camps (v.13). But the men of Gilead swear an oath before God that they will take him as their leader (v.10). Wolf writes, The word translated entertain (aq) is literally play with, amuse.[96]. Judges. Various chronologies have been proposed, but they vary from 299 years to 410 years. The Israelites were even commanded not to attack Edom and Moab (Deut. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. When this happened with his fiance, he told the truth right away! [95] Wolf, H. (1992). their 900 chariots) turned out to be their weakness. Used by permission. The Book of Isaiah opens with God giving this philosophy of history. [21] Wolf, H. (1992). (15:18) Samson was still human, and he was physically and emotionally drained after this rampage. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), John Piper and Tim Keller Discuss Sanctification, An overview story of the failure to complete the conquest (1:1-2:5), The stories of judges, which collectively portray a downward spiral of repeated cycles of sin, judgment, distress, and deliverance (2:6-16), Two final stories of religious and moral depravity (17-21). 3:20-26) Was this knife to the stomach really a message from God (c.f. In Palestine, the system of relatively small, independent city-states in the Middle Bronze Age (c. 21001550 B.C.) 7, p. 34). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. The people fell away again, and God handed them over to the Philistines for 40 years (v.1). They transported these virgin women to Shiloh. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991. ), The Expositors Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. The Epilogue on the Judges period = 20 years IV. 17:6; 21:25). [95] This must have been an apropos revenge to Samson for killing 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judg. This was the trial period of the theocracy after they entered the land. (13:25) What does it mean that God began to stir Samson as a boy? Students will also see that the Lord is willing to deliver His people as often as they repent of their sins. Substantial exposition for conscientious readers. (2:19) Wolf writes, The word stubborn (qh) was applied to Israel when Aaron made the golden calf (Exod 32:9; 33:3, 5; NIV, stiff-necked). Judges 1721 Micah and the Danites create sanctuaries dedicated to idol worship, and a Levite concubine is abused and killed. (5:23) Meroz is likely Khirbet Maurus, which was seven miles south of Naphtali. This led to Baal worship (v.11). See comments on Exodus 12:37. However, the author tells us that this was a time of moral anarchy (v.6). Judges. The people had been living in fearnot wanting to leave their homes or walk the streets (v.6). It could only threaten to destroy, if its rule were not accepted.[62]. 18:1; 19:1) implies that it was written. This was a literary convention of their day. Prelude to apostasy: incomplete conquests (1:12:5), The unfolding and consequences of apostasy (2:63:6). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, UK: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 3, p. 396). Most of the book was likely written by Davids time (1010970 b.c.). We do not know who wrote the book of Judges. It was written as a justification for the monarchy, since the final verdict of the book, In those days there was no king in Israel. Judges. 8:2427). 3, p. 378). (6:31) Gideon was afraid of his fathers household (v.27). This would have had a shock effect (Look how bad it has gotten!). was replaced by large empires (Egyptian, Hittite, etc.) [83] Cundall, A. E., & Morris, L. (1968). (4:9) Deborah predicted that a woman (Jael) would be the one to kill Sisera, because of Baraks fearful approach. Judges. This disobedience continued and grew more serious throughout the period of the judges. Here, however, God commits himself to bringing victory to the people. theocracy). 11; 31:11-13). 14:10: feast here [Hb. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. Wolf writes, War often was viewed as a contest between the gods of the nations involved.[69] Regarding the reality of the god Chemosh, Wolf writes, [Jephthah] may have viewed Chemosh as a god who really existed, or he may have referred to him only for the sake of argument.[70]. PDF Introduction to the Book of Judges Overview - CyberChapel (2:12) This false worship was akin to spiritual adultery. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction (3rd. The main body of the book consists of narratives about the judges. (e.g. More unusual is the statement that she was judging (pe) Israel, for to judge in the sense that she was doing it was to be the effective ruler of the nation as a wholean office not held by any other woman in the Old Testament, and with no parallel in the New But there is no hint in the narrative or elsewhere in Scripture that her exercise of such a role was contrary to Gods purposes, or a breach of his declared will in the way that the irregular worship practices of the period were. (6:20-21) God accepted his gift, but he gives one of his own. (20:11) This is the third time the tribes are referred to as united as one man. It took this horrific act to bring them together. ~ Heb 7:1-3. Wolf writes, During World War II, the Nazis identified Russian Jews by the way they pronounced the word for corn: kookoorooza.[72]. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. But Abimelech turned the tower into a massive bond fire!burning a thousand men and women inside of it. The men came together to discuss what had happened, and the Levite explained the savage story of how the men of Gibeah had gang raped his concubine (v.5). In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. 14:10: feast here [Hb. ] The statement in those days there was no king in Israel (Judg. 18:31). The Danites destroyed the city of Laish (v.27) and built a new one (v.28). By contrast, Jephthah chose to berate the tribe of Ephraim (Judg. Click to reveal Second, he tells her that she needs new ropes (v.11). As a personal story, when I was in high school, a wrestler came into a party and lifted both kegs of beers onto his brawny shoulders and walked out with them. (13:23) Manaohs wife calms him by pointing out the obvious: God accepted their sacrifice, he told them the future, and they havent been killed. (5:17) Gilead and Dan didnt fight either. 3, p. 475). [9] Archer, G., Jr. (1994). So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. (15:1) Samsons anger issue was so intense that he was blind to how he affected others. (5:19) The Canaanite kings took no plunder., (5:20-22) God released a rain and thunderstorm to overflow the banks of the riverthus sticking the chariot wheels in the mud. Judges - Grace to You (1:1) Why were they asking who should go up first? (18:7) Laish was 100 miles from their original allotment of land. He must do this to jar their memory and remind them not to fall into idolatry again and again. 11:3233). Judges. He already told us, The LORD is with you. If God is with us, we have the capability of being strong and immovableeven against terrifying enemies. [90] Cundall, A. E., & Morris, L. (1968). Being in a state of anarchy, more or less, and harassed at times by civil war among themselves, and surrounded by enemies who made attempt after attempt to exterminate them, the Hebrew Nation was very slow in its National Development and did not become a great nation till it was organized into a Kingdom in the days of Samuel and David. While God was taking a firm stance against Israel, the text says, He could bear the misery of Israel no longer. It broke his heart to see his people suffering. 7 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; Why Study the Book of Judges? | Crossway Articles They wept in the same way that they did when they won lost the battle, as when they won it (Judg. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. Judges. Saula tall and handsome manbecomes Israels first king. 1:12-13) Why does Caleb give his daughter to marry his brother (cf. 6:5). 20:11-17). [43] Wolf, H. (1992). Thanks for taking the time to put this introduction together and share it with us. (19:20-21) The conflict of the account seems over. Usually, we think of the period of the judges as occurring after the death of Joshua. his mothers brothers). Abimelech hired evil men to be his thugs (v.4). The elders of Gilead asked for his help, promising to make him their leader (v.8). Would God rescue them in the same way? Judges. However, Israelites and Canaanites were able to livethere relatively undisturbed, the former in the hill country and the latter in the lowlands and coastal areas. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. 3:10; 10:2-3; 12:7, 8-9, 11, 13-14; 15:20; 16:31). Judges. Occasion. 8). In the very next verse, the author mentions how the house of God was a Shiloh (Judg. Sisera gets away somehow on foot to Jaels tenta Hebrew woman (v.18). 6-8). [5] In the threat of apostasy and opposition from foreign nations God raises up judges to lead the people in battle and renewal. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Yet, even more so, Jesus sends His Spirit and do what the judges and kings could not accomplish, break the cycle of sin and deliver the people of God by changing their hearts and empowering them to be faithful to God. Samson is another notable figure in the book of Judges (see Judges 1316). Judges. Introduction to the Book of Judges - Studocu [74] Wolf, H. (1992). More importantly, Ephraim and Manasseh were separated from each other, and even had different dialects (v.6). This practice effectively removed two-thirds of the army. He also had his troops ready to attack the Moabites. (17:10-11) The young Levite had an interesting relationship with Micah. (5:24) She is blessed in contrast to Meroz being cursed.. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. (p. 374). (11:25-26) Jephthahs final argument is based on the fact that Israel had possessed the land for 300 years. Similarly, God surely doesnt like Samsons anger issue, but he uses it to bring judgment on the Philistines, who deserved judgment. Introduction to the Book of Joshua - . For this section, remember that Gideons name was also Jerubbaal.. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. The Israelites were stiff-necked in the wilderness, but they were even more obstinate in the Promised Land. ), The Expositors Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. The moral of the story is that God repaid this evil man. Samsons downfall was his anger, his secrecy, and his breaking away from his Nazarite vow. [91] Wolf, H. (1992). So who is going to marry these 200 remaining soldiers? Anath was the Canaanite goddess of war and both consort and sister of Baal.[22]. 3, p. 461). 5:13-15)? In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. 9:4). In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. ( 2 Sam 5:6-7) 3. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. (3:20) A message from God? the godly generation who lived at the time of joshua dies. Israel entered a time of servitude. 3, p. 403). Barak came and found the dead body. 15:13). (3:10) God personally empowered Othniel by putting his Spirit on him. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed. [63] Wolf, H. (1992). 20:8). Perhaps it means that Samson was emotionally stirred as he saw the onslaught of Philistine occupation. These, of course, are unreasonable terms of peace. This led to 80 years of peace (v.30). In fact, it states just the opposite. They were on foot, rather than being in chariots that were presumably stuck in the mud. It bridges the gap between Joshua and the rise of the monarchy. The foxes panicked with the torches on their tails (vv.3-4). (1:16) The Kenites were friendly to the Israelites. Some state the second reason as to provide a terrible demonstration of the moral depravity of man (for example, see Bible Survey). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. (15:6) In a sad state of irony, this poor woman was burned alivethe very fate she was trying to avoid (Judg. Israel had not conquered the land completely (ch. (13:8) Manaoh was unsettled about raising such a special baby. Three thousand Jewish men came to take Samson away (v.11). (20:37-41) In Hebrew writing, authors would often repeat the story for effect. As the book unfolds, readers encounter shocking accounts of violence, sexual abuse, idolatry, and misuse of power. He was probably contemporaneous with Ehud, because Ehuds death is mentioned in 4:1. He even says, Please. He is a sort of theophany. rather than a leader who did what was right in his own eyes (cf. Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon - Judges 10:6-12:15. The theme of Judges is the downward spiral of Israels national and spiritual life into chaos and rebellion against God, showing the need for a godly king (17:6; 21:25). (17:6) The narrator isnt affirming these practices (vv.1-5). (11:16-18) Jephthah argues that the people of Edom and Moab wouldnt let the Israelites even pass through their land leading up to the conquest of Canaan (Num. Judges and Ruth: an introduction and commentary (Vol. So, while there is history, there are other lessons as well. ), The Expositors Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. This is a song of victory over the evil king Jaban (similar in genre to Exodus 15 and Psalm 68). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. They demanded that the perpetrators should be killed (v.13). Judges. (21:19-24) Their solution was to allow the Benjamites to steal wives for themselves at the Feast of Tabernacles. He wiped out the city (v.45). Samson was a judge for 20 years (v.20). (11:27) Jephthah put the rest in Gods hands. Here the people were gathered by the ark of the covenant, which is the only mention of the ark in Judges. (v.11) Of all the tents he couldve chosen, he just so happened to pick that one. (3:5-6) They failed the test. In the book of Joshua, the people of Israel seemed to want to follow the Lord and obey his commands. ), The Expositors Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. Whenever Gaal saw men coming, Zebul would say, Relax, youre seeing things!, (9:37-38) Finally, the jig was up.
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