Page 44 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook

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.
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Sisera sought a for; ) ַח ) womb, man) שׁ◌אֹ ) every but Yael crushed (שׁ◌אֹ ) head his w/peg in
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temple male Timid). ָקּ ) (female) leadership Gideon and Abimelech (6:1-9:57) for unfaithfulness,
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YHWH allows Midian to oppress Israel; people cry out, but prophet rebukes disobedience. YHWH calls
Gideon, assures his doubt with signs offering, fleece, and dream, and uses his small army to glorify
Himself w/ 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).

Weak to detrimental leadership! Jephthah (10:1-12:15) for infidelity, 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- 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- Nazarite for mission ever restated? Physically strong,
morally weak, Samson is ruled by his appetites Timnah, Gaza, Sorek Valley, often acting for personal
revenge. After great loss to Philistines, Delilah seduces Samson to reveal secret; God’s Spirit left him, he
didn’t know! He dies avenging himself, confused over divine call!

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