Invitation to the Old Testament 09: Judges

JUDGES : 

JUDGES Israel’s Heroes

Introduction: 

Introduction A judge was a military and civil leader and deliverer. There are 12 judges named in this book. The judges delivered local groups and not the whole nation. Some of the judges governed at the same time as other judges. Key Verses - 17:6; 21:25

Who wrote Judges?: 

Who wrote Judges? Probably written after the judges ruled. Judges states that it was written before the kings ruled (17:6, 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The Talmud suggests Samuel was the writer.

Why did God give us Judges?: 

Why did God give us Judges? The purpose of Judges is… To continue the historical line between the conquest of the land and the monarchy To illustrate the principle that obedience to God’s law brings peace and disobedience brings defeat

What is the primary message of Judges?: 

What is the primary message of Judges? The theme of Judges is failure through compromise.

What would an overview of Judges look like?: 

What would an overview of Judges look like? A. Pattern of Apostasy (1, 2) B. Periods of Apostasy (3-16) C. Proofs of Apostasy (17-21)

Pattern of Apostasy: 

Pattern of Apostasy Israel left pockets of resistance in land (1:28, 30, 32-33). These groups proved to be thorns in Israel's side (2:1-5).

Pattern of Apostasy: 

Pattern of Apostasy Within local districts the same pattern of spiritual decay and renewal repeated itself over and over. Sin (rebellion) led to suffering (retribution) which led to supplication (repentance) which led to salvation (restoration [2:16-23]).

PowerPoint Presentation: 

The Sin Cycle Sin “The Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD.” Judgment “The LORD sold them into the hands of their enemies” Repentance “And when the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD…” Deliverance “The LORD raised up a deliverer.”

Periods of Apostasy: 

Periods of Apostasy 1. Othniel (3:1-11) a. Oppressor - Mesopotamia (3:8) Chushanrishathaim was their king b. Deliverer - Othniel (Caleb’s nephew [3:9; Joshua 14]) 2. Ehud (3:12-20) a. Oppressor - the Moabites led by King Eglon ( Ammon and Amalek joined Moab) b. Deliverer - Ehud (brought longest period of rest to his people) 3. Shamgar (3:31) a. Oppressor - 600 Philistines b. Deliverer - Shamgar using an ox goad

Periods of Apostasy: 

Periods of Apostasy 4. Deborah (4, 5) a. Oppressor – Canaanites 1) Jabin of Hazor was the king 2) Sisera was captain of the Canaanite army (900 iron chariots) b. Deliverer - Deborah 1) A prophetess 2) She judged from under a palm tree 3) She was assisted by Barak c. Helped by Jael d. Song of Deborah (5)

Periods of Apostasy: 

Periods of Apostasy 5. Gideon (6-8) a. Oppressor - Midianites b. Deliverer - Gideon 1) His Call 2) His Excuse 3) His Reluctance - the fleece 4) His Victory - with an army of 300 Abimelech (9) ~ Illegitimate son of Gideon / oppressed his own people

Periods of Apostasy: 

Periods of Apostasy 7. Jephthah (10:6-12:7) a. Oppressor - Ammonites b. Jephthah's background 1) Son of a prostitute 2) Cast out by his brothers 3) Called back during Ammonite oppression c. Jephthah's vow (11:30, 31)

Periods of Apostasy: 

Periods of Apostasy ~ Because it would've been a sin for him to have sacrificed his daughter, many believe he dedicated her to God as a virgin for life. The 4 Factors Which Point to Perpetual Celibacy are: 1) Statement of vow may be an "either or" statement (v. 31) 2) There is evidence that women did serve in the sanctuary (Ex. 38:8; 1 Sam. 2:22; Lk . 2:36, 37). 3) Jephthah's daughter bewailed her virginity (11:37, 38). 4) It appears virginity was the result of the vow (11:39).

Periods of Apostasy: 

Periods of Apostasy 8. Samson (13-16) a. Oppressor - Philistines b. Samson was a Nazarite from the womb (Num. 6:2-6) 1) no fruit of the vine 2) no razor to be upon his head 3) no contact with dead bodies c. Samson's downfall d. Samson's commendable characteristics 1) His birth was announced by an angel 2) He was empowered by the Holy Spirit 3) Supernatural provision was twice given him – water, strength 4) Mentioned in Hebrews 11

Proofs of Apostasy: 

Proofs of Apostasy Religious (17, 18) Moral (19-21) a. Levite had a concubine b. Gibeah was like Sodom (19:22) c. Levite gave his concubine to be abused d. Levite cut-up her body