Judges
Judges in light of the rest of Scripture. Looking at Judges with God as the main, prominant, or individual of focus. The characters of judges are to point to God.
Review
Judges
Judges portrays the geographical and religious situation of the Israelites after Joshua’s death. It is a collection of primarily hero stories that emphasize the weaknesses of Israel’s leaders and God’s patient compassion. The narrative also illustrates God’s punishment of His people when they turn from worshiping Him to worshiping Baal and living immorally. This punishment usually consists in domination by another people. Each story is set within a framework involving five steps, commonly referred to as the “Judges Cycle,” of sin, repentance, and salvation:
1. Israel does evil and worships the Baals.
2. God becomes angry and hands Israel over to an enemy nation.
3. Israel cries for help.
4. God raises up judges who deliver Israel from the enemy.
5. Israel returns again to foreign gods
• Joshua established land control; Judges 1 loses the land.
• Joshua established an obedient, unified people and a renewed covenant; Judges 2 reveals a disobedient people breaking the covenant.
• Joshua established strong leadership; Judges 3–16 shows an ever-worsening leadership crisis.
• Judges 17–21 reflect the chaos resulting from false worship, tribal disunity, moral disobedience, and loss of land.