The Book of Judges
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The Book of Judges
The Book of Judges
I. The transition from Joshua’s leadership to the Judges (Ch.1-3:7)
EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE BOOK OF JUDGES
In the book of Joshua we see the fear of the parents of the Israelites did not come to past on their children. The giants were defeated, the land was taken, the tribes settled into there inheritance and all was well under the leadership of Joshua
Judges 1. After the Death of Joshua (1a)
In this period of the Judges, Israel lost the critical next link in its godly leadership. Moses was the great leader used by God to bring them out of Egypt; Joshua was Moses’ assistant and the great leader used by God to bring them into the land of promise. But Joshua appointed no leader after him to guide the whole nation. They were in a critical place where they had to trust God more intensely than they ever had before.
A. Background
Theme of the book of Joshua “Victory through faith”
Theme of the book of Judges “Failure through compromise”
A. Background
Judges 1. After the Death of Joshua (1a)
During this period of the judges (lasting some 340 years), there was no standing “office” of national leadership. Israel had no king, no president, and no prime minister on earth—only God in heaven. Yet at the necessary and appropriate times God brought forth a leader for the nation. For the most part these leaders would rise up, do his (or her) job, and then return to their obscurity. This required that the people of Israel maintain a real, abiding trust in God.
Theme of the book of Joshua “Victory through faith”
Theme of the book of Judges “Failure through compromise”
Judges and Ruth were written as one book
Differences between Judges and Ruth
Judges Ruth
Judges
Ruth
Judges Ruth
Results of disobedience.....................................Results of obedience.
example of human leadership...........................Examples of leadership of the Spirit
God’s mercy........................................................God’s redeeming plan/Salvation history
Cycle of human condition..................................Straight path of God’s plan
Weakness of the human spirit...........................God’s never ending favor
When the Israelites came into Canaan, they found, not a unified country, but numerous city-states with separate governments. Sometimes they did ally themselves with the major powers but usually they worked alone. In contrast, Israel was organized politically by a tribal structure with a central sanctuary and an ethnic ties (12 sons of Israel) which unified them. This would have given them an advantage over the city states.
When the Israelites came into Canaan, they found, not a unified country, but numerous city-states with separate governments. Sometimes they did ally themselves with the major powers but usually they worked alone. In contrast, Israel was organized politically by a tribal structure with a central sanctuary which unified them. This would have given them a military advantage.
Israel was divided up into 12 tribes and 1 tribe was the priesthood. They are
Judah
Simeon
Benjamin
Ephraim*
Dan
Manasseh*
Zebulun
Asher
Issachar
Naphtali
Gad
Reuben
And the priesthood Levi
*Joseph was divided into two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, his sons
1. Who wrote the book?
God’s never ending favor
1. Who wrote the book?
Jewish tradition in the Babylonian Talmud says it was Samuel the prophet
Other opinions says it was written during the “time of King Hezekiah at the end of the eighth century but that the first edition was largely the product of the time of Josiah’s reform toward the end of the seventh century.” (Hill)
This is called the Deuteronomistic History where it is believed the books of Joshua - 2 Kings was written as a historical lesson by kings rather then by divine inspiration and follows in the tradition of the book of Deuteronomy.
Neither theory is conclusive.
2. Time period
If Joshua entered the promised land in about 1406 BC, the period of the Judges would be from about 1350 to 1040 BC. Saul would have been crowned king in about 1040, David around 1010 BC and Solomon around 970 BC.
Now it came about in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord.
This would indicate the exodus started around 1446 BC.
This was also what archaeologists have called the Late Bronze Age II to the Iron Age I
We also know that Israel had been in the land 300 years by the time of Jephthah ()
B. Death of Joshua- Who will lead us?
B. Death of Joshua- Who will lead us?
The book of Judges begins like the book of Joshua, the death of a great leader
What was Joshua like?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
jo 3 16
What was Joshua’s first assignment given in Scripture? () to choose men to fight with Amalek OBEDIENCE
What was Joshua’s first assignment given in Scripture? () to choose men to fight with Amalek OBEDIENCE
What was the result of the war with Amalek () They were defeated VICTORY (AMALEK A TYPE OF THE FLESH)
What was Joshua’s position to Moses? () Moses’ minister or servant HUMILITY
According to , what place was familiar to him? The Tabernacle RESIDENCE
Joshua and Caleb were part of the twelve Israelites that spied out the promise land. They brought back good news. What did they warn the people not to do? () Rebel against the Lord WISDOM
The Lord rewarded Caleb and Joshua for their faith and courage. What was their reward? (; ) They lived to enter the promise land LIFE
Why were they rewarded? () They wholly followed the Lord SURRENDER
Who called Joshua to take Moses’ place? () The Lord MINISTRY
How did Moses mentor Joshua? (; ; ) To charge Joshua with the fulfilling God’s calling, encourage and strengthen him ENCOURAGEMENT
What did the Lord give Joshua? () Spirit of Wisdom
How many times are the words “be strong and courageous” used in Joshua, chapter 1? Which verses? 4 times 1:6,7,9,18 LEADERSHIP
4 times 1:6,7,9,18 LEADERSHIP
this is the man of God that Israel was accustomed to. Joshua gave them victories and peace. They wanted this to continue.
This is the man of God that Israel was accustomed to. Joshua gave them victories and peace. They wanted this to continue.
The people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods;
for the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did these great signs in our sight and preserved us through all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed.
“The Lord drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God.”
Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins.
“If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.”
Joshua was with Moses from the exodus through the victories of the Promised Land. Why would he say “You will not be able to serve the Lord”? Because he saw the big picture. For 40 years Israel rebelled against the Lord in the desert. They saw the miracles of God yet still doubted. This also speaks to our lives. We cannot rely on the miracles of God as our source of strength for victory but rely on the promises of His Word.
MINDSET OF THE ISRAELITE'S
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.
THE TERM JUDGES
THE TERM JUDGES
The term “Judges” is used to describe tribal leaders. They were primarily military leaders. In this sense they were establishing justice for the Israelites who were oppressed by other peoples. There is very little civil or spiritual responsibility. Those like Deborah who was a prophetess does not mention or point people to the tabernacle or the ark of the covenant and did not call the people back to Yahweh.
“The Spirituality of Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson all acknowledged the Lord in their speech and acted in his name, but- typical of the times - had major blemishes on the record” (Hill)
The judges were not intended to be spiritual role models but a deliverer.
However the Lord’s role in directing and empowering the charismatic leaders was evident in many of the judges (Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson & his parents, Deborah)
It is very possible that the judges exercised only local jurisdiction but that is difficult to prove.
It is very possible that the judges exercised only local jurisdiction but that is difficult to prove.
Many of the battles were local and could have coincided with other battles in different parts of Israel. This makes it difficult to estimate when some of the judges ruled.
MAJOR AND MINOR JUDGES
Distinguished only by there treatment in the book
Major Judges (Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson)
Minor Judges (Abimelech, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon)
12 plus Samuel
There were six major oppressions (Mesopotamia, Eglon of Moab, Jabin of Hazor, Midianites, Ammonites - in East, Philistines - in West)
Canaanites - speaks of a broad inclusive sense involving all ethnic groups
1. Early victories (1:2-26)
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.
1. Early victories
1. Early victories
Judges 17:6
Many of these victories was accomplished during the lifetime of Joshua
Judah and Simeon (was part of Judah) defeat 10,000 men at Bezek and conquers the Canaanites and Perizzites
1. Early victories
Perizzites - may be related to the Hebrew term meaning “rural person”
Perizzites - may be related to the Hebrew term meaning “rural person”
Adoni - Lord
To “cut off thumbs and big toes” means he is no longer useful for military service. (It is also a sign of embarrassment for a Lord or King to have his thumbs and big toes cut off - Nobody wants there leader to be disabled).
Judah captured Jerusalem (1:8). They would loose it later. King David would conquer and make it his capital during his reign.
Thought - Just because you have a victory doesn’t mean you can’t loose it. We must alway be on our guard against the enemy’s schemes.
Judah conquers Canaanites in hill country and in the Negev and in the lowland (1:9) Hebron (1:10) - This parallels Joshua () and gave it to Caleb ()
Hebron, formally Kiriath-arba or City of four Giants
Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai. are sons of Anak (Giants) see
Now he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah, according to the command of the Lord to Joshua, namely, Kiriath-arba, Arba being the father of Anak (that is, Hebron).
These were the giants the spies were afraid of 40 years earlier (Num 13:33)
Judah then conquered Debir (1:11), formally Kiriath-sepher or city of branches
Judah then conquered Debir (1:11), formally Kiriath-sepher or city of branches
Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother captures Debir (1:13) and as a prize marries Caleb’s daughter Achsah. Othniel also become Israel’s first Judge (3:9)
Achsah’s request (1:14) - a field and springs (1:15) of water. This secures the field as profitable for grazing of sheep.
Kenite (1:16) - The Kenites were coppersmiths and metalworkers. They played an important role in the history of ancient Israel. One of the most recognized Kenites is Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who was a shepherd and a priest in the land of Midian. (Wiki)
The Kenites moved from the City of Palms - Jericho () south to Arad (1:16)
Hormah (1:17)is near the Negev (South Judah)
Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron (1:18) is in modern day Gaza Strip. It was ruled by the Philistines
Iron chariots - Beginning of the Iron age
NOTE: Judah achieved most its goals of conquering there territory. Unlike most of the other tribes. However, they were not about to conquer the larger valleys (1:19) They did not compromise by putting people into force labor. Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah.
Sons of Benjamin lived with the Jebusites in Jerusalem during time of Joshua (1:21)
They conquered Bethel with the help of a spy (1:22-25)
The spy and his family left to the land of the Hittites (modern day turkey) and built a city called Luz (1:26)
2. Later defeats and apostasy (1:27-36)
Manasseh (1:27) did not conquer the Canaanites in five cities with their villages so they put them to force labor (1:28). They did not drive them out completely
Manasseh (1:27) did not conquer the Canaanites in five cities with their villages so they put them to force labor (1:28). They did not drive them out completely
Ephraim lived with the Canaanites in Gezer
Zebulun lived with the Canaanites in two cities and Canaanites put to force labor
Asher did not conquer seven cities so they lived among the Canaanites (1:31-32)
Naphtali lived with the Canaanites in two cities and made them do force labor (1:33)
Dan forced into the hill country until the house of Joseph (Manasseh and Ephraim) became strong then made Canaanites into forced labor (1:34-36)
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1
Forced labor was acceptable only for inhabitants of cities outside the promised land (Deut 20:10–16). An exception was made for the Gibeonites, as they tricked Joshua into entering into a treaty with them (Josh 9), which was specifically contrary to God’s commands in Deut 20:15–16 regarding native Canaanite populations.
Compromise always leads to apostasy and abandoning the Lord.
“The Spirituality of Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson all acknowledged the Lord in their speech and acted in his name, but- typical of the times - had major blemishes on the record” (Hill)
The judges were not intended to be spiritual role models but a deliverer.
2. Later defeats and apostasy
C. Israel’s spiritual condition (2:1-3:8)
C. Israel’s spiritual condition
SUMMARY OF
1. The message of the angel of the Lord at Bochim (2:1-5)
Bochim was probably located in the vicinity of Shiloh
“In the days of Joshua, divine rebuke met with a spirit of repentance (2:1-6) resulting in service to Jehovah (2:7)”. (Davis) But it was different after Joshua and the elders died.
The angel of the Lord is a theophany. A preincarnate Christ.
The same angel that appeared to Joshua at the battle of Jericho
Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?”
He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?”
Jos 5:
He says “I brought you up out of Egypt”
“I brought you up out of Egypt”
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
“I will never break My covenant with you”
“I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.
“I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
gen 17 7
“There was a clear emphasis upon Jehovah’s covenant faithfulness and the obvious disobedience of the nation (2:2)…This does not mean that there were no times of failure and apostasy for this is quite clearly the case as intimated in Joshua’s farewell address to the nation” (Davis)
Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the Lord, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.”
“Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.”
So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.
The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.”
Bochim - mean weepers
“You may ask “Why did Israel fall pray to this sensuous form of worship when she had such a lofty revelation of the true God and clear standards of moral conduct?
First, the gradual fragmentation of the tribes contributed to an abandonment of Shiloh as the only center of worship…The principle unifying factor in Israel was her religion and commitment to one place of worship. As the tribes moved into new territories, rather than defeating their enemy, they sought way to establish peaceful coexistence with them.
Second, Baalism may have had a pragmatic appeal. the Israelites who attempted to farm in the hill country must have experienced some frustration and looked with envy on the beautiful crops of their Canaanite neighbors in the fertile valleys. The temptation to look to Baal to increase fertility was always there and many fell into it.
Third, the sensuous appeal of temple prostitution would have allured some into Canaanite practices.
Fourth, the quest for political compatibility led many to recognize the gods of Canaan through formal treaties. Intermarriage also led to formal recognition of the gods and gradual infiltration of pagan ideas into the community of Israel.” (Davis)
The bottom line is this. Israel did not reject God, but added to Jehovah God extra ‘gods” just in case Jehovah “couldn’t come thru”
It is no different than Christians not believing that Jesus did it all at Calvary as a complete work so they add works to their effort to sanctify or save themselves. Christians don’t think they are denying Christ, but are adding or enhancing what Christ did by their own efforts.
Because Israel did not obey the Lord, the Canaanites will become a thorn to Israel and a snare (2:3)
a. Leads to short term revival (2:4b-5)
“The people lift up their voice and wept — Some of them, it is probable, from a true sense of their sins; others from a just apprehension of their approaching misery. They sacrificed there — For the expiation of their sins, by which they had provoked the Lord to this resolution, and in order to regain his compassion and favour.” (Benson)
Joshua dies at 110
The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the Lord which He had done for Israel.
So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.
Joshua dies at 110 and is buried in his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash
judges 2 7
All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.
But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”
They was just like Pharaoh
But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”
ex
They forsook the Lord and did evil in the sight of the Lord by worshiping Baal and the Ashtaroth (2:13)
Baal - was the primary god of the Phoenicians (who lived on the west cost of Canaan). He was the god of agriculture and storm (thunder). (Lexham)
Ashtaroth - functioned as goddess and consort of Yahweh and was worshiped as the queen of heaven. She was a goddess of war and sexual love. (Wiki)
Baal and Ashtaroth emphasized the importance of fertility and encouraged many children. Sexual immorality was very prevalent in their worship.
The Baal cycle
Baal is upset that he does not have a temple. He chooses Mount Zaphon (In Syria by the coast north of Lebanon) to have a temple built. He persuades Anat (Ashtaroth) who is in love with Baal after a fierce battle in which she is covered in blood. Anat then goes to EL (Jehovah) and asks him to permit a temple to be built for Baal on mount Zaphon. EL agrees and makes him “one who reigns over the gods” The only one who does not acknowledge this is Mot, god of death and the underworld and he threatens Baal. Baal agrees to go down into the underworld and is reported dead. El and Anat (Ashtaroth) mourn his death.
Anat finds Baal’s body, and buries him on Mount Zaphon, and offers many sacrifices to him. Driven by her love for Baal, Anat then kills Mot. EL has a dream that Baal is alive and since he is needed to water the parched fields, EL calls for Shapsh, the sun goddess to find him. She succeeds and Baal is restored to his throne. Mot was also not permanently destroyed and he returns to battle Baal. In the end, Shapsh has EL threatens to take away Mot’s rule of the underworld so he yields and acknowledges Baal’s rule as “the one who reigns over the gods”. (summarized from the Lexham Bible Dictionary)
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Baal Contends with Mot (KTU 1.5–1.6)
This final story serves as an etiology for the seasonal cycles—the six-month absence of rain being attributed to Baal’s journey into the netherworld, and the presence of rain being attributed to his return to the realm of the living.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Baal Contends with Mot (KTU 1.5–1.6)
Mot was also not permanently destroyed; he complains to Baal about the shame he experienced, and they return to battling each other. In the end, Mot yields and acknowledges Baal’s rule after Shapsh threatens to have El take away Mot’s rule of the underworld
You see in this story that EL is still considered the greater God but Baal is part of the god worship and EL is not all powerful. This deny’s the omnipotence of Jehovah God. This was why Israel sinned.
You see in this story that EL is still considered the greater God but Baal is part of the god worship and EL is not all powerful. This deny’s the omnipotence of Jehovah God. This was why Israel sinned.
You see in this story that EL is still considered the greater God but Baal is part of the god worship and EL is not all powerful. This deny’s the omnipotence of Jehovah God. This was why Israel sinned.
For the believer, when we do not totally depend on God for everything, we do the same things as Israel did.
God gives Israel into the hands of plunderer's and sold them into the hands of their enemies so they could no longer stand (2:14)
The hand of the Lord was against them and they were distressed (2:15)
2. God to raise up Judges (2:14-23)
2. God to raise up Judges
Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them.
a. Reasons
a. Reasons
To deliver from plunder
Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them.
To deliver them from the hand of their enemies
Because Lord was moved with pity because of their groaning, oppression and affliction
When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.
God raised up judge
judg 2 18
b. Role
The hand of the Lord was against them and they were distressed (2:15)
Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers.
b. Role
What God does:
God gives Israel into the hands of plunderer's and sold them into the hands of their enemies so they could no longer stand (2:14)
God gives Israel into the hands of plunderer's and sold them into the hands of their enemies so they could no longer stand (2:14)
The hand of the Lord was against them and they were distressed (2:15)
God no longer drives out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died (2:21)
God uses this to test Israel (2:22)
3. Israel’s sin cycle
a. Israel served the Lord for a period of time
b Israel would rebel against the Lord
c. Israel would be delivered into the enemy’s hand by the Lord
d. Israel would cry out to the Lord
e. Israel would be delivered by the Lord through a Judge
f. Israel would have peace for a time and serve the Lord
g. Israel would repeat this process over and over
(Repeat)
Revival’ Cycle
4. Nations God would allow to remain to test Israel. (3:1-8)
The five Lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonian and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon
Those who lived among them: the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites
PURPOSE:
For testing, to see if Israel would obey the commandments
But they failed - they married into these other peoples and served their gods, and forgot Jehovah God. (3:6-7)
God sells them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia and served him for 8 years
II. The leadership of the Judges (3:9-
A. Othniel (3:9-11)
Othniel - means force of God or God has helped me
1. Nephew and son-in-law to Caleb
Marries Achsah, Caleb’s daughter after capturing the city of Kiriath-sepher (Debir)
Othniel’s brother was Seraiah and his son was Hathath ()
He was the son of Kenaz which means “hunter”
2. God “sells” Israel to Cushan-rishathaim due to their backsliding
2. God “sells” Israel to Cushan-rishathaim due to their backsliding
2. God “sells” Israel to Cushan-rishathaim due to their backsliding
He was the king of Northwest Mesopotamia
He was of Cushite (Noah’s grandson through Ham) origin
Cush was the father of Nimrod. brother of Canaan
Rishathaim - means double wickedness or wickedness doubling. One translation says that Cushan-Rishathaim means “man from Cush, he of the two-fold crime”
3. God delivers them and gives them peace for 40 years
“The Spirit of the Lord came on him” - Even though Othniel was an experienced warrior, he still needed the power of the Lord to defeat the enemy - just like Joshua (3:10)
Othniel probably conquered Cushan-rishathaim in the later part of his life shortly before his death. It is not likely that he enjoyed the 40 years of rest. Remember he was with Caleb when he conquered Hebron shortly before he conquer Debir. Othniel survived the death of Joshua, the elders before Cushan-rishathaim was raised up by the Lord to oppress Israel for 8 years. Then he went to fight.
Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again.
But two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp.
So a young man ran and told Moses and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”
Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.”
But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!”
B. Ehud (3:12-30)
1. Israel again backslides (3:12)
This started during the 40 years of rest (3:11) and was likely a gradual backslide
2. God ‘strengthened’ Eglon, King of Moab (12b-13)
With the sons of Ammon and Amalek they defeat Jericho (3:13)
Ammon - was born to Lot through incest. They became the Ammonites
Amalek was a grandson of Esau. They became the Amalekites
Joshua fought against Amalek at Rephidim () Aaron and Hur supported Moses hands until they won the battle. (The Lord is my Banner)
3. God delivered Israel into his hands for 18 years (3:14)
NOTE: More than twice as long as the first oppression with Mesopotamia
4. Israel cries out and raises Ehud (3:15)
He was a Benjaminite
5. Ehud was left handed (3:15b-16)
Makes for himself a two-edge sword about a cubic in length (18”) and bounds it on his right thigh (uses deception) for he was left handed
6. Eglon was a very obese man (3:17)
His name means male adult calf or steer (big and round)
7. Ehud kills Eglon
Ehud turned back from the idols of Gilgal (3:19)
Gilgal is the location of several different places in the Bible. Here it probably refers to the place eastern border of Jericho where the Israelites first were circumcised after crossing the Jordan river. During this time there were idols placed there (3:19). It may have been the referred to in , and .
“I have a secret message for you, O King”
They were alone on the roof chamber. The handle of the sword went in so far that the fat covered the handle and the other end came out “between the legs”
Now Ehud escaped while they were delaying, and he passed by the idols and escaped to Seirah.
Seirah - probably applies to “some shady forest” but nobody knows for sure.
When he got to Ephraim he blew the trumpet (rams horn) and they attacked the Moabites killing 10,000 of their valiant men. No one escaped (3:29)
Moab is subdued and the land was undisturbed (no outside forces attacked) for 80 years. This could mean the land that Ehud was over mainly Ephraim and Benjamin.
There is no mention that Ehud ever ruled after the battle. However he is still considered a judge because he help deliver Israel out of oppression.
LESSONS LEARNED
The cycle starts over again
Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died.
8. Israel rebels
LESSONS LEARNED
LESSONS LEARNED
“First, a lone man walked into the king’s palace, assassinated the king, and walked out without being captured. This was a highly unexpected event that involved great risk.
Second, one battle changed the next 80 years of Israel’s history. Ehud’s story involves more than removing a wicked leader; it includes a change in national history for an entire generation.
Third, Ehud’s success is a story of freedom. Just as God had redeemed Israel from Pharaoh and the land of Egypt when they cried out for help, God redeemed Israel from their bondage under King Eglon when they turned to Him.” (Got)
C. Shimgar (3:31)
After him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.
1. After Ehud, God raised up Shamgar
1. After Ehud, God raised up Shamgar
Ehud could have still been alive or this could have been during the 80 years of peace. Remember, the tribes acted like states, and there was no “federal government” Many of the victories would have been local.
It is possible that some of the judges overlap in the time frame since there battles were mostly local.
Shamgar - uncertain what it means but Anath means answer
2. He kills 600 Philistines
2. He kills 600 Philistines
The Philistines were to the west of Israel. Ehud’s victory was on the East of Israel
Oxgoad - It is a type of long stick with a pointed end, also known as the cattle prod used to spur or guide oxen (Wiki)
3. He is mentioned in Deborah’s song of triumph
“In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,
In the days of Jael, the highways were deserted,
And travelers went by roundabout ways.
Judges 5:6
No mention that Shamgar every ruled as a judge even though he is considered a judge because he saved Israel
4. Israel rebels (4:1)
The cycle starts over again
Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died.
D. Deborah and Barak (4:2-5:31)
D. Deborah and Barak
D. Deborah and Barak
1. Deborah (4:4-5)
a. She was a prophetess ‘who judged under a tree’, who was a judge at this time.
b. People would come to her for judgment
Deborah - means (in the sense of orderly motion) the bee
2. Barak
a. He was a son of Naphtali
3. Apostasy
a. After the death of Ehud, the people of Israel ‘did evil in the sight of the Lord’. (4:1)
b. The Lord ‘sells’ them into the hand of Jabin King of Canaan.
Hazor - “The royal city of Jabin (), which, before the Israelite conquest, seems to have been the seat of a wide authority (). It was taken by Joshua, who exterminated the inhabitants, and it was the only city in that region which he destroyed by fire (11:11-13). At a later time the Jabin Dynasty appears to have recovered power and restored the city (). The heavy defeat of their army at the hands of Deborah and Barak led to their final downfall (). It was in the territory allotted to Naphtali ().” (Atlas)
Hazor is located just north of the sea of Galilee)
Jabin - means intelligent
c. Jabin’s commanding general was Sisera.
d. The Canaanites had at the time state of the art war equipment--- Iron chariots--- 900 chariots in total.
These chariots were difficult to defeat in the valleys
e. The name Jabin, “the discerning,” may possibly have been a standing name or title of the Canaanites’ kings of Hazor, as Abimelech was of the kings of the Philistines (Keil, e-sword)
4. The Call
a. Deborah summons Barak to be the war leader
b. He agrees but only if she would come along with him.
c. She agrees but because of his lack of faith and trust in the Lord; the honor of victory would go to a woman.
5. Preparation for battle
a. Barak calls for volunteers from the northern tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun---10,000 answer the call (as Deborah prophesied would happen).
6. The battle and victory
a. Barak takes his men to Mount Tabor.
b. Sisera received word that Barak’s forces were on the mountain. and Sisera moves his men to the valley below
c. But, as Deborah’s song of triumph states, God caused it to rain in the valley. This caused the terrain to be extremely muddy. The wheels got stuck.
d. The Lord routes the Canaanites. Israel pursued them and destroyed them all. But Sisera escapes.
e. Sisera finds the tents of his friend Heber. But only the wife of Heber, Jael, was there. Unknown to him she was loyal to Israel. She takes a tent peg and drives it into his temple.
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G. Tola (Ch.10:1-2)
G. Tola (Ch.10:1-2)
G. Tola (Ch.10:1-2)
1. And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.
H. Jair (Ch.10:3-5)
1. And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died, and was buried in Camon..
I. Izbon (Ch.12:8-10)
1. And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.
J. Elon (Ch.12:11-12)
1. And after him (Jephthah) Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years. And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.
K. Abdon (Ch.12:13-15)
1. And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel. And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.
L. Jephthah (Ch.10:6- Ch.12)
1. Apostasy (Ch.10:6)
a. Israel again forsakes the Lord their God
i. Served Baal and the gods of the surrounding nations.
2. The Lord sold them to the Sons of Ammon (Ch. 10:7-10)
a. They inflicted the tribes on the east bank of the Jordan
b. Eventually crossing over into Judah and Ephraim.
3. Repentance (Ch.10:11-16)
a. Israel repents but the Lord says go seek the gods you worship
b. Let them deliver Israel
c. Yet Israel repented before the Lord
d. The Lord could not let them be in misery due to his great love for them.
4. Preparation for war (Ch.10:17-18)
a. Who will lead us?
b. He shall be our ruler over Gilead
5. Jephthah a Gileadite is Chosen to lead (Ch.11:1-3)
a. A valiant and experienced war leader
b. Son of a harlot
c. Kicked out by his family and disinherited
d. “Worthless men” made him their leader- Similar to David
6. Ammon comes to fight against Israel
a. Israel calls for Jephthah to be their leader
b. He points out that they kicked him out and now they need him.
c. They promise to make him their leader (Gilead)
d. He makes them promise this, and he presents this before the Lord
7. Jephthah sends messengers to the King of Ammon
a. What reason do you have to fight against us?
b. The King’s responds that Israel took land from Ammon when they first came into the land.
c. Jephthah points out that this was not true.
i. Did not God remove the Amorites before Israel
ii. You have what your gods have given you .
iii. The King disregarded Jephthah
8. Victory against Ammon
a. The Lord comes upon Jephthah
b. He makes a vow
i. Whoever comes out of his house first, he will give to the Lord
c. Ammon is defeated and subdued.
9. The “foolish vow”
a. His only child, a daughter, comes out with other women, dancing due to the victory.
b. He is grieved by this due to his vow.
c. She is understanding of this, requests three months to prepare.
d. She remains a virgin for the rest of her life, most likely in the service to the Lord.
10. War against Ephraim
a. Ephraim complains that Jephthah did not call them up to help in the fight against Ammon.
b. Jephthah did call them up, they did not respond to the call.
c. Gilead fights against Ephraim.
i. Jephthah kills 42,000 Ephraimites.
11. Jephthah judged Israel 6 years and dies.
M. Samson (Ch.13-Ch.16)
1. Before the birth of Samson (Ch.13)
a. Israel backslides again
b. Angel of the Lord appears (This is an actual Angel)
i. Appears to a woman named Manoah—she is barren
ii. She is to bear a child
iii. Child is to be a Nazarene
iv. Nazarene oath stipulates no alcohol and hair not to be cut as symbol
v. Child to deliver Israel from the Philistines.
2. Wife goes and tells husband about the message from the Angel. (Ch.13)
a. He prays that the person would return and confirm the message.
b. Angel appears again, repeats the message.
c. When asked about his name, he says it is incomprehensible.
d. They offer to give a sacrifice to him, he refuses (again another confirmation that this is just an Angel.
e. He tells them to offer it to God
f. He ascends the flames.
3. She gives birth to Samson (Ch.13)
a. Names him Samson
b. Child grew up and was blessed
c. Spirit of the Lord begins to stir him
4. Samson’s Marriage (Ch.14)
a. Desires a wife of the Philistines
b. Tells parents to get her
c. They protest- is not there eligible women among our people
d. Parents did not know this was of the Lord in order to stir up trouble with the Philistines.
5. The Young Lion
a. He is returning to his soon to be bride so see her
b. A young lion comes out to attack him and he kills it.
c. Later as he is returning to be with his bride for the ceremony he notices bees have set up a hive inside the remains of the lion.
6. The Wedding and the riddle
a. The celebration lasts 7 days
b. He offers a riddle to the Philistine men in attendance.
c. He will give each a coat of new clothes if they can guess the answer.
d. They will give him 30 changes of new clothes if they cannot.
e. They threatened his fiancé that they will kill her and her family if she does not get the answer.
f. She keeps complaining to him that he will not give her the answer, eventually he relents and gives the answer.
7. Betrayal (Ch.15)
a. At the end of the 7 days they tell him the answer—a lion
b. He realizes that it was his wife that told the men.
c. Out of his anger, he kills 30 Philistine men and take their clothes and give it to the men.
d. His wife is given to another man.
e. He returns to go see his wife only to find she is another man’s wife.
f. He gets revenge by catching 300 foxes, tied their tails together with a torch, and set fire to the Philistine’s crops.
g. Philistines retaliate by burning his wife and her family in their home.
h. Samson retaliates by killing more Philistines.
8. Samson and the men of Judah
a. Philistines array themselves against Israel to fight and punish them.
b. In response to this, Judah sends 3000 men to capture Samson and to hand him over to the Philistines.
c. He agrees to go with them if they will not kill him
d. He is brought to the Philistines, Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, he kills 1000 of the enemy with a donkey’s jawbone.
e. The Lord sends him water to satisfy Samson’s thirst after the battle
9. Samson and the Prostitute
a. He goes to Gaza to visit a Prostitute.
b. Philistines are told he is their
c. They wait to kill him
d. He escapes them, taking the city gates with him
10. Samson and Delilah (Ch.16)
a. Samson loves Delilah
b. Lords of the Philistines offer her 5500 pieces of Gold to find out what makes him strong (this implies that if was not physically apparent)
c. She asks him three times what made him strong.
d. First two times he lies to her, but each time gets closer to the truth.
e. Finally after relentless agitation from her, he relents and tells her of his oath and the symbol of his oath, the hair.
11. Delilah betrays Samson, his humbling, and his repentance.
a. After she realizes that he has told her the truth
b. The Philistines came to get him, but he did not realize the Lord had departed him.
c. He is physically blinded (He was already spiritually blind)
d. He is made to grind in the prison
e. His hair begins to grow back- also he realizes his foolishness.
12. Samson’s victory
a. Sometime later the Philistines have a feast to honor their god, believing it had given them victory over Samson
b. Samson is brought out for sport
c. He requests to be put between the weight supporting beams that held up the temple.
d. He prays to God that the Lord would revenge against his enemies for what they have done to his eyes.
e. The Lord answers his prayer, giving him strength one more time, bringing down the temple.
f. Samson at his death killed more Philistines than in his entire life.
g. Samson judged Israel for 20 years.