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Lecture 16

JUDGES

Students will be able to

1. discuss the period of Israel's history covered in Judges and fit it into the chronology of Israel's history.

2. explain who the Judges were and discuss the source and scope of their power.

3. identify the "cycle of apostasy" present throughout the book.

CONTENT OF LECTURE

Introduction:

The Book of Judges covers the history of Israel between the death of Joshua and the rise of the prophet Samuel. It is the second book of history. The history is told in a series of episodes centered around the twelve judges who came to power in Israel during this period. The period of the judges seems to have been between 1200 ­ 1020 B.C. (TN#1) The book as we have it is believed to be the work of the Deuteronomistic school from around the sixth century B.C. (TN#2)

Purpose:

The purpose of Judges, other than that of an historical record, is to explore what happened theologically during the years between Joshua and David. The question the book seeks to answer is, why has Israel failed to realize the prosperity promised under their covenant with God? The answer is sounded clearly that Israel, due to disobedience, is at fault, not God. He has remained faithful, even merciful.

Theme:

God is faithful and merciful even when His people are not.

OUTLINE OF JUDGES

I. Background:

Failure to drive out the Canaanites (1:1­2:5) This section is a survey of the Israelite conquest of Palestine and serves as a preface to Judges. It is similar, but not exact in detail to the account in Joshua. (TN#3)

II. Introduction: Cycle of Apostasy (TN#4) (2:6 ­3:6)

Phase 1 ­­ 2:11 "Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord" (Disobedience by Israel).

Phase 2 ­­ 2:13 ". . . the Lord handed them over to raiders who plundered them." (Punishment by God).

Phase 3 ­­ 2:15 "they were in great distress" (Call to God for help). The fact that they looked to God was a sign of repentance (turning back) and expression of faith.

Phase 4 ­­ 2:16 "Then the Lord raised up judges who saved them . . . (TN#5) (God delivered the people).

III. Cycles: "The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord."

A. Othniel (3:7­11)

A major judge who delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the king of Mesopotamia. He was Caleb's younger brother. Note the cycle of apostasy ­­ P1 v7; P2 v8; P3 v9a; P4 v9b ff.

B. Ehud (3:12­31)

A major judge and Benjaminite who delivered the people from Eglon, the king of Moab. (Shamgar ­­ a minor judge ­­ verse 31)

C. Deborah (4­5)

A major judge who delivered the people from Jabin, a king of Canaan, and led the Israelites against Sisera. This military action was the closest that any of the judges came to a national movement of the tribes. (Note: Judges 5 is poetry ­"The Song of Deborah".)

D. Gideon (6­8)

A major judge who delivered the people from the Midianites. Gideon was "weak of faith" and required signs from God to convince him that God was calling him. Once convinced, he was faithful and God showed his power by using a small army to accomplish his battle plans. The people wanted Gideon to be their king, but he refused saying, "The Lord will rule over us."

E. Minor Leaders

1. Abimelech (9) Son of Gideon by his Shechimite concubine (8:31) Abimelech is not considered a judge because there is no indication of God's Spirit empowering him. His effort seem to be selfishly motivated. Here is a vivid picture of the conflict between the Israelites and the resident Canaanite population during this period. It also shows the internal struggle within the nation of Israel for control.

2. Tola and Jair (10:1­5) Two minor judges.

F. Jephthah (10:6­12:7)

A major judge and Gileadite who delivered the people from the Ammonites. He made a vow to God that if he was victorious, he would sacrifice who ever came to meet him first upon his return from battle. It was his only child, a daughter, and he did sacrifice her to God. (TN#6)

G. Other Minor Judges

1. Ibzan (12:8-10)

2. Elon (12:11-12)

3. Abdon (12:13-15)

H. Samson (13-16) A major judge who delivered the people from the Philistines. He, however, was a man of little character and few principles. He self-destructed and proved a failure as a leader. God, however, was merciful to him and granted his last request.

IV. Tribal depravity: "Everyone did as he saw fit." (TN#7)

A. Danites (17­18)

B. Benjaminites (19­21)

 

ASSIGNMENT

1. Identify the Cycles of Apostasy in the record of four of the judges.

2. Write a brief essay on the role of a "judge" during this period in Israel's history.

3. Write a short essay comparing and contrasting Samson's life and that of Israel as a people.

4. Read The Book of Ruth.

5. Read chapter 15, "Ruth" in Hill and Walton's A Survey of the Old Testament.

 

OUTLINE OF JUDGES

 

Teacher's Notes:

#1 There is much debate over how the book k to be dated. This can be reviewed in sources such as Hill and Walton's A Survey of the Old Testament, pages 173­174 and The Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, pages 380­382. The date chosen assumes a thirteenth century B.C. date for the exodus from Egypt.

#2 Authorship ­­ There is no indication anywhere in the Scriptures concerning the authorship of this book. Jewish tradition holds Samuel as the author. General consensus today is that much of the materials came through oral tradition and early written records and were compiled by the Deuteronomists.

#3 Although verse I says "after the death of Joshua," many feel this is a title for the book because Joshua's death is not recorded until 2:8/ff., which is almost identical to Joshua 24:29-31.

#4 Cycle of Apostasy ­­ This cycle explains why the Israelites were unable to take the land. It explains why the Covenant renewed in Joshua is not fulfilled. God does more than His part, but the people don't do their part. They fail to keep the first commandment. They constantly turn to other gods. The Covenant is conditional upon Israel's obedience. God can be seen here as merciful in that He delivers the people from their punishment when they call to Him once again for help. There is an excellent section on the "why" of Israel's apostasy in Hill and Walton, pages 179­181. The main thrust is that monotheism was a very radical concept for the time and Israel had a difficult time accenting it.

#5 When you hear the word "judge", what comes to your mind as a judge's function? (This is a good place in the lecture for a mini­lecture on what a judge was during this period.)

Judge -­ While no one is actually called a judge in this book except God, eight are said to have judged Israel. The connotation of the term is not that of "rendering decisions" but of "delivering Israel from an enemy". "Thus the judges were not so much legal consultants as champions or heroes vindicating Israel in war and impelled by Yahweh's Spirit." (Deborah seems to be an exception because she also rendered judgment, Judges 4:5.) (Batdorf 1014) "The office of judge in this period of Israelite history is not easy to define. The judges were not elected, nor did they inherit their office. They were not appointed in any official way, nor were they anointed. They are referred to as charismatic leaders, because they spontaneously took leadership roles when the need arose. Thus it can be affirmed that God raised them up to deliver Israel." (Hill, 177) The judges were not necessarily national leaders. They often appear to be only tribal leaders, but due to Israel's concept of "Corporate Personality", the history of one tribe is the history of Israel. The judges were not necessarily chosen for their spirituality, but for their leadership and relationship strengths. We should not look to them as spiritual role models. They were often unethical and immoral in their actions. Scholars classify the judges as major or minor by the amount of space given to them in the book and not necessarily by their importance in Israel's history.

#6 The Vow and Sacrifice -­This story can be interpreted in many ways. Some see it as an attempt by Jephthah to manipulate or cheat God. His vow is conditional upon his victory. He hoped his sacrifice would be minimal, a slave maybe. But God can not be manipulated or cheated. A person cannot scheme against God and win. Jephthah ends up losing his one and only child. Others see this as the faithful fulfillment of a foolish vow and as an example of Jephthah's faithfulness to God. However one interprets this, it should be noted that human sacrifice was not common to Israel although it was in the culture around them. Paul makes God's desire for sacrifice clear -­ He desires us to be "living" sacrifices. ((Romans 12:1)

Do you believe God was honored by Jephthah's sacrifice?

#7 Chapters 17­21 serve as two appendices to the Book of Judges. They are devoted to two historical incidents. A new formula is presented -- "In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes." This sets the stage for the transition to the monarchy in 1&2 Samuel after a brief interlude for the Book of Ruth.

Resources:

Credits and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100 Use the text to meet your academic needs. If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer Missions Programs.

Credits and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100 Use the text to meet your academic needs. If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer Missions Programs.