December 1, 2002, Vol.2,
No.23.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "Introduction
to Judges" (see below)
and "Introduction to Joshua"
Overview of the Bible:
Introduction to Judges
by Keith Sharp
The author of Judges is not named. However, the book was written
before David took Jerusalem (1:21; cf. 2 Samuel 5:6-9) but after
Israel had a king (17:6; 18:1; 21:25). This would fit the time
of Samuel. Jewish tradition assigns the book to Samuel, and Samuel
was a prophet of God (1 Samuel 3:19-21), so Samuel probably wrote
Judges.
The word "judges" means "saviors." Essentially
the judges were deliverers of the people of Israel from foreign
oppressors. At least some of them also acted as rulers and judges
of disputes.
Judges relates the history of Israel from the death of Joshua
to the rise of Samuel as the prophet of the Lord. In violation
of God's command, Israel failed to destroy all the idolatrous
inhabitants of the land, but made covenants with them (1:27-36).
God decreed that He therefore would not drive out these people
but would leave them to be "thorns" in the side of
Israel (2:1-5). These nations would prove Israel, whether they
would remain faithful to God or not (2:20 - 3:4). Joshua,s generation,
which knew the Lord, died (2:6-10). Later generations intermarried
with the idolatrous Gentiles in the land and served their gods
(3:5-6). For a period of around 350 years (cf. 11:26; 1 Kings
6:1) Israel went through a repeated cycle: (1) SIN - they
sinned against God; (2) SERVITUDE - God allowed oppressors
to overcome them; (3) SORROW - they repented of their
rebellion; (4) SALVATION - God sent a judge to deliver
them (2:11-19). The book of Judges records twelve (thirteen if
Abimelech is counted) such judges. Eli and Samuel, recorded in
1 Samuel, complete the list of judges (14 or 15).
The primary characteristic of the period was, "In
those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was
right in his own eyes." (17:6; 21:25) Every man followed
his own conscience. There was no rule of law. The result was
a time of anarchy: outward oppression and inward decay. This
shows the results for both individuals and nations when people
simply do what they feel is right without regard for divine law.
Two institutions solved this problem: PROPHECY, beginning
with Samuel, provided individual guidance; while the RULE
of a RIGHTEOUS KING, beginning with David, provided national
guidance.
Outline
A. The Condition of Israel Under the Judges - 1:1 - 3:6
1. Israel's Failure to Drive Out All the Inhabitants - 1:1
- 2:5
2. Summary of Israel Under the Judges - 2:6 - 3:6
B. The Judges of Israel - 3:7 - 16:31
1. Othniel (1st Judge) 3:7-11
2. Ehud (Left-Handed Judge) 3:12-20
3. Shamgar (Ox-Goad Judge) 3:21-30
4. Deborah (Woman Judge) 4:1 - 5:31
5. Gideon (Mighty Man of Valor) 6:1 - 8:32
6. Abimelech (Bramble King) 8:33 - 9:57
7. Tolah (Son of Puah, Son of Dodo) 10:1-2
8. Jair (30 sons, 30 colts, 30 cities) 10:3-5
9. Jephthah (Rash Vow Judge) 10:6 - 12:7
10. Ibzan (30 sons, 30 daughters) 12:8-10
11. Elon (Zebulunite Judge) 12:11-12
12. Abdon (40 sons, 30 grandsons, 70 donkeys) 12:13-15
13. Samson (Strongest Man Judge) 13:1 - 16:31
C. Events Demonstrating the Sinfulness of Israel - chapters
17 - 21
1. The Sins of Micah the Ephraimite - chapter 17
2. The Sins of the Tribe of Dan - chapter 18
3. The Crime in Benjamin at Gibeah and its Punishment - chapters
19 - 21
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