The two mighty leaders of Israel, Moses and Joshua, have died. God had helped the Israelites conquer Canaan and establish their own cities and settlements. However, with success came nonchalance toward God and His laws.
The attitude of the Israelites in the Book of Judges is the opposite of their attitude in Joshua. In the Book of Joshua the people had been obedient and had trusted God to help them. In the Book of Judges, however, a disobedient and idolatrous people were defeated time and again because of their rebellion against God.
This rebellion was so severe, in fact, that God left the Israelites to their own devices. They disobeyed, experienced the consequences for their disobedience, and then cried to God for rescue. And God was always there to hear and help. Judges is a book about heroes--seventeen men and woman who were sent by God to deliver Israel from its enemies. These judges were not perfect, but they obeyed God and He used them to rescue His people.
The Book of Judges also provides a glimpse of what Jesus would do for all of us. We are very much like the Israelites--sinful and struggling with disobedience. Each judge is a kind of "savior." Some judges were warrior-rulers, others were priests, and some were prophets. Together they give a picture of Christ who was King, Priest and Prophet. Also, like Jesus, the judges invited people to follow them by trusting in God - Judges 3:28; Mark 1:17.
This book was probably written by Samuel . The period of judges extends to include the life of Samuel (who is featured in the next two books of the Bible--1 and 2 Samuel).
The Book of Judges shows Israel's repeated downward slide into sin. Just as God delivered His people then, He still delivers us from our constant battles with sin. And he does it because of Jesus.
God Bless,
Dan
The attitude of the Israelites in the Book of Judges is the opposite of their attitude in Joshua. In the Book of Joshua the people had been obedient and had trusted God to help them. In the Book of Judges, however, a disobedient and idolatrous people were defeated time and again because of their rebellion against God.
This rebellion was so severe, in fact, that God left the Israelites to their own devices. They disobeyed, experienced the consequences for their disobedience, and then cried to God for rescue. And God was always there to hear and help. Judges is a book about heroes--seventeen men and woman who were sent by God to deliver Israel from its enemies. These judges were not perfect, but they obeyed God and He used them to rescue His people.
The Book of Judges also provides a glimpse of what Jesus would do for all of us. We are very much like the Israelites--sinful and struggling with disobedience. Each judge is a kind of "savior." Some judges were warrior-rulers, others were priests, and some were prophets. Together they give a picture of Christ who was King, Priest and Prophet. Also, like Jesus, the judges invited people to follow them by trusting in God - Judges 3:28; Mark 1:17.
This book was probably written by Samuel . The period of judges extends to include the life of Samuel (who is featured in the next two books of the Bible--1 and 2 Samuel).
The Book of Judges shows Israel's repeated downward slide into sin. Just as God delivered His people then, He still delivers us from our constant battles with sin. And he does it because of Jesus.
God Bless,
Dan
