Introduction to the Judges of Israel

Judges 21:24

Introduction

The book of Judges was my favorite book when I was eight years old.

A tent peg through the head?

Clandestine spycraft used to plunge a dagger into a comically fat king?

And of course, a real life superman who can pick up city gates and go for a jog up into the mountains.

I still love the book of judges, but I have learned to love it for different reasons.

I’m going to be dealing with the Book of Judges and not the period of the judges (though I know that is what this Summer Series is about).

It is important to make a distinction there.

The book of Judges is a distinct unit.

Eli and Samuel are used in service of the narrative that brings us to a King in Israel which is a different point than the one being made in this book.

Ruth, of course, is a story that is provided as stark relief to the book we will consider tonight.

The Cyclical Spiral

It isn’t just a cycle, it’s a spiral (Jdg. 2:11-19).

From Canaanites to Benjamites (Jdg. 1:1; 20:18, 23, 27).

It starts with the death of Joshua (Jdg. 1:1, 2:10, 1-5).

From Judah to Dan (Jdg. 1:3-36).

Judah is used as a representation of the whole (Jdg. 1:3-20).

Joining together to defeat a common enemy vs. no cooperation (Jdg. 1:34-36).

Did not dispossess (v. 19), Jebusites lived with Benjamin (v. 21), Naphtali lived among the Canaanites (v. 33), Dan is “not allowed” to come down into the valley (v. 34).

Benjamin follows next and Dan is the final pointing toward the tribes of the Judges.

From Othniel to Samson.

The Faithfulness of God

Where there are successes, the credit belongs to God (Jdg. 1:4; 3:9; 16:28).

He is faithful in selling them to their enemies (Deut. 32:30; Num. 33:55-56; Jdg. 2:13-15, 3).

He answers every time they cry out (Jdg. 3:9, 15; 4:3; 6:6; 10:10; 13:1-2).

Shadows of the King

The Angel of the Lord (Jdg. 2:1; 5:23; 6:12; 13:3).

The Lord raised up a savior (Jdg. 3:9, 15).

Word for Savior in Septuagint only refers to Jesus in the New Testament.

God conquers through what is seen as weak (Jdg. 4:9; 6:14-16; 7:4; 11:1-3).

Samson connects to both John the Baptist and Jesus (Jdg. 13:7; 16:25-30).

The conclusion leaves a longing for a king (Jdg. 21:25; 17:6; 18:1; 19:1).

Conclusion

I do take a dim view of the judges.

But the dimness of the time and its leaders, only serves to set the glorious faithfulness of God in higher contrast.

It is a contrast that culminates at the cross where man is shown in his darkest form and God is radiant in His faithfulness.

So my takeaway is this, no matter what part of the Bible you are reading, remember this, God is always the hero.