Through the Bible | Part 32 | Judges

Optional 6-Week Teaching Breakdown

1. Week 1 – The Cycle of Compromise

2. Week 2 – Deborah & Courageous Leadership

3. Week 3 – Gideon: From Fear to Failure

4. Week 4 – Jephthah & Reckless Spirituality

5. Week 5 – Samson & Moral Weakness

6. Week 6 – When There Is No King

Judges 17:6 NKJV

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Major Themes for Deep Reflection

1. The Danger of Spiritual Drift

Decline is gradual — not sudden.

2. Leadership Matters

When leaders fail, people suffer.

3. God Is Faithful Even When His People Aren’t

Judges is not just about Israel’s failure — it’s about God’s mercy.

4. The Need for a King

Judges points forward to:

• 1 Samuel (Israel asking for a king)

• Ultimately to Jesus Christ — the true and righteous King

I. Setting the Stage: The Cycle of Compromise

📖 Judges 1–2

Background

After the death of Joshua, Israel enters a period of instability. They fail to fully obey God’s command to drive out the nations. Spiritual compromise leads to moral collapse.

The Judges Cycle:

1. Israel sins

2. God allows oppression

3. Israel cries out

4. God raises a judge (deliverer)

5. Temporary peace

6. Repeat

Baal (Baal Hadaad) Canaanite Demon

Means Lord or Owner ( Baalim) is the plural. Refers to an idolatrous system that promised prosperity, rain, fertility, land, crops etc.

He holds a lightning bolt. Is considered “King of the Gods” is equivalent to

Zeuss/Jupiter in Greece or Rome

Set in Egypt

Ashtoreth Cannonite Demon

Considered the “Queen of Heaven” Fertility,love,war.

Greek: Astarte, Aphrodite

Mesopotamian: Ishtar

Deep Discussion Questions

• Why didn’t Israel fully obey God in Judges 1? What “small compromises” do believers make today?

• What does partial obedience reveal about the heart?

• Why does comfort often produce spiritual decline?

• Is God’s discipline in Judges evidence of wrath or covenant love?

Reflection

Where do you see the Judges cycle in:

• Churches today?

• America?

• Your own life?

baal

II. Othniel to Deborah: When Leadership Rises

📖 Judges 3–5

Key Figures:

• Othniel – A quiet, faithful judge.

• Ehud – Unexpected deliverer.

• Deborah – Prophetess and judge.

• Barak – Hesitant leader.

Deep Discussion Questions

• What qualifies someone to be used by God?

• Why did Barak hesitate? What does that reveal about fear and faith?

• What does Deborah’s leadership teach about spiritual authority?

• Why does God sometimes use unlikely people?

Reflection

Are you leading boldly, hesitantly, or not at all?

III. Gideon: Fear, Faith, and Fragility

📖 Judges 6–8

Gideon begins fearful and ends compromised.

Key Themes:

• Identity (“Mighty warrior”)

• Testing God

• Small beginnings (300 men)

• Post-victory pride

Deep Discussion Questions

• Why does God reduce Gideon’s army?

• What does Gideon’s fleece reveal about insecurity and faith?

• Why do some leaders start strong but end poorly?

• What is the danger of success without spiritual depth?

Reflection

Have you ever asked God for confirmation when He already spoke clearly?

IV. Jephthah & Rash Leadership

📖 Judges 10–12

Jephthah makes a tragic vow.

Deep Discussion Questions

• Why do people make foolish vows in emotional moments?

• What does Jephthah’s story teach about spiritual immaturity?

• Is zeal without knowledge dangerous?

Reflection

Do you seek God’s will carefully — or react impulsively?

V. Samson: Strength Without Character

📖 Judges 13–16

Samson is set apart but morally weak.

Key Themes:

• Calling vs. character

• Lust and compromise

• Repeated flirtation with sin

• Final repentance

Deep Discussion Questions

• How can someone be gifted yet spiritually undisciplined?

• What was Samson’s real weakness?

• What happens when leaders play with sin?

• Does God still use broken people?

Reflection

Is there an area where you are “strong” publicly but weak privately?

VI. The Collapse of a Nation

📖 Judges 17–21

These final chapters show moral anarchy.

Key Phrase (repeated):

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Deep Discussion Questions

• What happens when truth becomes subjective?

• Is moral relativism new?

• How does leadership vacuum affect a nation?

• Does Judges argue for monarchy — or ultimately for a righteous King?

Reflection

What does this say about the necessity of godly leadership?

Prologue: How this was caused (1-2)

Body (3-16)13 judges

Epilogue: (17-21)

The Cycle of the Judges