JUDGES BOOK OVERVIEW
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY: GOD PROVIDES JUDGES FOR ISRAEL
The book of Judges begins with the death of the Israelite leader Joshua and goes on to highlight the continual downfall of Israel without strong, faithful leadership. Instead of a king, God sent judges to rule over Israel and serve as guides. The Israelites lived sinful lives that led to oppression from other nations. During their oppression, the Israelites called out in repentance, asking God for salvation. God repeatedly sent deliverance in the form of judges, but the Israelites continued in their cycle of sin and rebellion.
Although the Israelites were set apart as God’s chosen people, they began to look more like the Canaanites and other enemies of God’s people. They participated in corrupt practices, worshipped false gods, and abandoned God’s law. This book highlights the Israelites’ need for God’s salvation and their demise that resulted from disobedience. The book records twelve judges: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson. These judges were both legal figures and military leaders. Many of the accounts within the book of Judges are dark and deceitful, showcasing the rebellious state of the nation.
MAIN IDEAS: ISRAEL‘S CYCLE OF REBELLION
God raised up judges as leaders to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. (Judges 2:18)
The Israelites were disobedient to God and worshipped the gods/idols of other nations. (Judges 10:6)
Corruption was rampant among the Israelites, and war broke out between the tribes. (Judges 20:23)
There was no king over Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes. (Judges 21:25)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: EAGER TO FORGIVE
Throughout the book of Judges, the Israelites rebelled against God and faced the consequences of sin. During their suffering, they remembered God’s goodness and cried out for help. Despite their continual sin and rejection of Him, God faithfully responded to their pleas. When the Israelites humbled themselves and repented, God forgave them. When they called out for help in their oppression, God sent judges as military and government leaders.
God did not simply forgive the Israelites and leave them to their own devices; instead, He intervened like a loving parent. God hates to see His people suffer, even when that suffering is caused by their own wrongdoing. God desired better for the Israelites, but He did not force His will upon them. Instead, He lovingly forgave and appointed a leader to help correct their mistakes. Much later in Scripture, 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
JESUS IN JUDGES: THE ONLY RIGHTEOUS JUDGE
During the time of the judges, many leaders were appointed and ultimately failed to govern the people of Israel. The book of Judges equates the idea of “doing what was evil in the eyes of the Lord” (Judges 13:1, 14:3) and “doing what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). The Israelites did not have the same views or morality as God and repeatedly chose their own selfish ways over God’s instructions. Even those who were appointed to be judges, prophets, and rulers were unable to follow God’s commands fully.
Jesus was the only person to live without sin, making him the only righteous judge. Jesus taught believers to examine their own lives before judging (Matthew 7:1-5) and show compassion towards others (John 8:1-11). Jesus had the perfect wisdom and self-control of God, but He chose to be a humble servant rather than an exalted judge.
