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PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

An Overview of the bible - Study 9: The Book of Judges.

The book of Judges continues on from the book of Joshua and the conquest of the Promised Land. This book describes the struggle of the nation to gain complete control of the Land and the subsequent falling into worship patterns of the inhabitants still remaining. The failure of Israel to remove the inhabitants leads to what God warned them of; following their pagan practises.

The book of judges derives its name from those God sent to save and to judge the nation. In this book we find a cycle being repeated over and over again among the nation.

This cycle can be summarised as follows:

1. Israel does that which is evil in the sight of God and worship and serves the gods of the inhabitants of the Land.
2. Israel suffers an attack from an invader and loses their freedom.
3. Israel cries out to God for help.
4. God sends an inspired leader or judge who rescues Israel from the invader and they regain control of their life and Land.
5. After the judge’s death, Israel relapses into the idolatry and the cycle begins again.

This pattern becomes the norm throughout all the tribes of Israel. (See Ch 2:10-19 for example);

Chapters 1 to chapter 3:verse 6 provide an introduction to the book. In Chapters 1 to chapter 2: verse 5 Israel’s failed military campaign is highlighted (See Ch 1:19, 21, 27, 29,2:1-5 for a summary) while in Chapter 2: verse 6 to Chapter 3: verse 6 their failed devotion to God results in worshipping other Gods. (See Ch 2:12, 5-6, 3:5-6).  
Judges contains a number of incidents difficult to appreciate or accept and can be best understood as a lost nation living among pagans without direction or morals. See Chapter 1:5-6 , 3:21-25, 4:21, 11:28-40, and 19:16-21:25 for some of these. The last of these incidents involve war among the Benjaminites over the rape of a woman. Some of these actions are deplorable and reflect the major theme of the book;

“There was no real leader of the nation and everyone was doing what was right in his own eyes”. See Chapter 17: verse 6, 18:1, 19:1 and 21:25.

In other words God’s laws have been rejected in favour of personal convictions or local pagan ideas. The lack of cohesion as a nation and isolation contributes to the lack of moral and spiritual strength.

What has happened to God’s laws? The reality seems so different to the ideals and hopes of Joshua and Deuteronomy. The hopes of a prosperous and peaceful life for the nation have been spoilt by the disobedience of the nation. As a result Israel suffered the judgement of God. However, we are equally amazed at God’s compassion and mercy towards a defiant nation. The promises of God to Abraham while somewhat fulfilled fall short of expectation.

The author of judges has highlighted certain judges. Deborah (Ch 4), Gideon (Ch 6-8), Jephthath (Ch 10-12) and Sampson (Ch 13-16). They are inspiring stories of judges who obeyed God or who God used to free Israel from their enemies.

Needless to say, the book of Judges clearly shows the nation living contrary to God’s will and purpose for them. Their problems stem from living among the inhabitants of the Land and the breaking of the first commandment. God’s faithfulness and mercy towards the nation is a major theme of this book when they cry out to God for help.

The book of judges reflects to some extent our world today where each does what is right in their own eyes. It is not surprising either that many of the gruesome acts in Judges are repeated in our world that lacks cohesion and moral fibre.

Our next study in 1 Samuel will begin to address this problem as we move towards leadership that will unite the nation and a campaign to remove the foreigners living among them. 

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