Page 40 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook- short

God’s repeated rescue in Israel’s history, Joshua calls for exclusive worship put away all the gods of your
fathers, again warning the nation of the consequence for disobedience. When Israel repeatedly affirms
their exclusive devotion to YHWH, Joshua renews their covenant, and they are faithful to YHWH all the
days of Joshua and his generation.

The Book of Joshua

JUDGES
Chronologically, the book Judges is a time after Joshua. The author
and the date are both unknown. Judges is a book which narrates the
decline in Israel’s Leadership and Spiritual Condition. The themes
include: Sin Cycle (sin, suffering, supplication, salvation); ‘Everyone did
what was right in their own eyes’ (17:6, 21:25). The main message:
Though Israel’s repeated rebellion and declining leadership resulted in
defeat and depravity, YHWH continued to be gracious and forgiving!
Decline in Israel’s Leadership (1-16)… … and Spiritual Condition (17-21)

Chapter’s 1:1-3:6 While Israel begins with some success, they fail to drive out the Canaanites people.
Israel refuses to obey; YHWH refuses to fight for them (1:1-2:5). Nations were initially left to test
obedience, teach holy war. Israel fails to be distinct practice. They sin by worshipping Baal, so YHWH
gives them over to suffer among enemy. With supplication, they cry out, YHWH saves them- judge (2:6-
3:6).

Chapter’s 3:7-21 focuses on the two Judges Othniel and Ehud. After infidelity, YHWH uses Cushan- king
of Mesopotamia to oppress Israel. They cry out, He empowers Othniel to save them (3:7-11). With
further rebellion, YHWH brings Eglon cow of Moab to oppress Israel. When they cry out, He raises up
left-handed Ehud. With tribute, Ehud gives a messages word in king’s belly- fat man reduced to fat and
dung (3:8-21). Othniel and Ehud follow strong leadership of Joshua and Caleb.

Chapter’s 4:1-5:31 focuses on Deborah and Barak. Israel again rebels against YHWH, so He sells them to
Jabin- Canaanites. Due to cruelty, Israel cries out. YHWH calls Barak through Deborah, he lacks
leadership If you go, I will go! Deborah agrees, foretells victory by woman. YHWH empowers Barak to
defeat army, but Sisera flees, seeks refuge from Yael. With deceit, she assures safety, kills him in sleep.
Sisera sought a for; ) ַח ) womb, man) שׁ◌אֹ ) every but Yael crushed (שׁ◌אֹ ) head his w/peg in

ר
ר
ם
ַר
ַר
temple male Timid). ָקּ ) (female) leadership Gideon and Abimelech (6:1-9:57) for unfaithfulness,
ה

39