Page 65 - Advanced OT Survey Student Textbook

A third level of gods served as craftsmen and artisans for the higher deities. As specialists in the
professions their expertise was unsurpassed. They might contradict and even argue with high-level gods
when ordered to do things they themselves knew were folly. While they obeyed ordered, they were not
averse to mocking their superiors for the inferior knowledge those gods had of the work at hand.

At the bottom level of the divine hierarchy were the messenger deities – the angels. They were the
slave labor of the Canaanite heaven. The position of any of the higher deities in the four-level
bureaucracy was determined by El and Asherah and could be changed at any time, particularly for
misuse of authority.

Israel’s temptation to “try out” some of these deities sometimes was too great. Besides Asherah (3;70,
they knew of second-level gods and goddesses such as Baal (3:7) and Anath (3:31). The idol that
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Hezekiah called Nehushtan (2 Kings 18:4) represents a healing deity of the third level.

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 worship the Lord. 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).
This cycle is repeated throughout the book.

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, and He empowers Othniel to save them (3:7-11). With
further rebellion, YHWH brings Eglon 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 but says, “If you go, I will go!” Deborah agrees and foretells victory by a woman. YHWH
empowers Barak to defeat army, but Sisera flees and seeks refuge from a woman named Jael. With
deceit, she assures safety, and then kills him in sleep with a spike through the temple. YHWH allows
Midian to oppress Israel; the people cry out, but a prophet rebukes disobedience. YHWH calls Gideon,
assures his doubt with signs offering, fleece, and dream, and uses his small army to glorify Himself with
miraculous victory. Gideon refuses kingship, but crafts idol, names his son Abimelech (6:1-8:32). Seeds
planted result in chaos! At Gideon’s death, Israel turned to Baal. Abimelech makes an alliance with
Shechem, kills brothers to be king. YHWH stirs hostility, Shechem destroyed; Abimelech is killed (8:33-
9:57).

Jephthah (10:1-12:15) begins to rule by turns from YHWH, so YHWH gives Israel over to
Philistia/Ammon. On repentance, YHWH raises up a deliverer. Jephthah, son of a prostitute, was driven
out by his family but later asked to lead Gilead against Ammon. When diplomacy fails, Jephthah leads
eastern tribes to defeat Ammon. This victory is tainted by his tragic vow, offering his daughter as burnt
offering, as well as the civil war with Ephraim because of pride.

Fatal leadership! Samson (13:1-16:31) Israel again did evil, so YHWH allows Philistia to oppress them. In
a vision to a barren woman, Samson is set apart as a Nazarite for mission. Physically strong, morally
weak, Samson is ruled by his appetites at Timnah, Gaza, Sorek Valley, often acting for personal revenge.

55 So That’s Why! Bible, Thomas Nelson Inc, p. 304
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