Judges

Judges Homework

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

This was likely written to the Israelites as they were within the transition between the time of the judges and the Monarchy. This would be a very confusing time for them. They will likely be comparing this new way of life with a to the years past. 

2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Samuel is suspected to be the author, but there is no evidence to prove this. However, the author does seem to produce a gruesome outlook on this particular time for the Israelites, even though the time period was so long and not all was bad. The stories included at the end of the book (chapters 17-21) leave the reader with a taste of wickedness throughout this time. We can likely see the authors perspective of this time in history for the Israelites.

3. What are the main themes and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

Throughout the book of Judges we see a vicious cycle that is seemingly impossible for the people to escape from. They begin by living in blessing and slip into idolatry which brings suffering. In this suffering, they are sent a judge who encourage them to cry out in repentance, and the Lord delivers. And then the cycle begins again. This is seen over and over throughout the generations. The people begin to devalue the laws of the Lord and society crumbles. 

It is a cycle of moral anarchy and God’s mercy. Life without God’s laws and leadership brings destruction. It’s as simple as that. The laws of the Lord are put in place for a reason, and while he looks at the heart of man, these laws are in place for social reasons as well. We see through judges that when when these laws are overlooked, disaster takes place. But God is still faithful in sending his own form of deliverance to bring them back. 

The book of Judges is a display of the battle between the righteousness of God and the depth of human depravity; it is a canvas for the mercy that God brings through His deliverance. 

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?

Judges was written as a history for the people of Israel in a tricky transition. They were encouraged to look back upon these years and observe the cycles that their people fell into and be careful not to fall into the same traps. Likewise, although the book of judges has a naturally bleak and gruesome feel to it, they were encouraged to look at those times compared to the times of the King and perhaps see which way seems better. If written by Samuel as suspected, who was within both time periods, he was likely trying to compare and contrast times politically.  

5. What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

God allows for his people to have free will and choices in life in order that they may choose him. His people will reap the consequences of their decisions whether good or bad according to his law. Yet through the bad decisions, the Lord shows his great mercy and faithfulness by sending his judges. Without them, it seems as though the depravity of man would simply over come. It would become worse and worse through time. But through his love for his people, His desire to draw near to them in holy lifestyle, and his mercy, he brings those who will work as his prophets to turn the people around. 

Likewise, we see God’s faithfulness through the judges that were sent. So many of them, although walking in the Lord’s anointing, were making bad decisions themselves. Look at Samson who fell to Delilah (Chapter 16). Yet even through this, the Lord brought his judgment on the Philistines through the Spirit of God. 

6. What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

God has a system set up specifically for redemption. By sending judges, he was sending redemption for the depravity that the people had chosen. Although it almost seems as a book of judgement, we can ultimately see God’s heart to bring his people bad to himself.   

7. Personal Application

It would be easy to look at the Israelites at judge them (pun!) for how quickly they fell away from the Lord, but this happened over a long period of time. I wonder how it all began. It very easily could have been the people simply becoming relaxed in their standards and a gradual fall towards depravity. The Lord really convicted me in this as we were reading. I come straight back to a sermon that my pastor gave when he said “we often treat sin as if it’s a rubber snake, willing to play with it and toy with it, when it’s really a deadly cobra that can kill you in an instance.” Stepping away from the Lord, falling back on convictions can begin a downfall that you would never expect. Before you know it, the Lord has to find a way to bring you back, and it’s never easy. 

8. Point of Passion 

God never stops redeeming his children, ever after the horrible things that they did. It was a time of total depravity. The people fell into the same pattern over and over and the Lord always brought them back. How much more should parents be willing to forgive and bring their children back to the truth? The Lord is setting an example for parents to never give up on their families. There is always redemption and forgiveness, even if it’s hard.