Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Book Of | Judges

  The book of Judges doesn't come right out and say who the original readers are or who the author is. However, in 21:25, it gives us clues to what we are looking for. It says, "In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." This tells us that Judges was written to the Israelites when they had a king. Judges 11:39&40 also alludes to the fact that it was written quite a bit earlier then the time it happened, which makes Samuel the likely author, since he was the prophet at the time of the first king, Saul. 

  The two most evident repeated ideas are Israel's failure in keeping the law and God's deliverance. It constantly says, "…the Israelites again did evil in the Lord's sight." (4:1, 3:7, 12, 6:1 & 13:1) They can't seem to get it together without someone in leadership keeping them accountable. Whenever the judges show up they are okay and experience peace but as soon as the judges die they fall back into their evil ways. Just as often they cry out to God for help and He sends a judge to deliver them. (3:9&15, 4:3, 6:6 & 10:10) A main theme is unfaithfulness and God says in 2:1-3, "…But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this?…" They are continually showing a lack of faith and falling prey to their temptations. Judges, in one sentence, is about God extending undeserved grace through judges to an idolatrous and wavering people. 

  I like the reason SourceView gives in the intro to Judges, it says, "…to give the nation's history prior to the time it became a kingdom." Again Judges 21:25 gives evidence that it was written at a much later date, so this suggests that it was a history lesson to the new generation of Israelites. It was a lesson specifically in showing them what it was like without a constant ruler or leader to govern and lead their nation; to show them how self destructive they are. 

  For the first time in the Bible I have noticed God's sympathy and sadness towards His people. In 2:18 it says, "For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering." That is why He rescued them through judges over and over again. In 10:16 it says, "And he was grieved by their misery." It's a side of God I haven't seen that much and to me, it means that they must have been suffering horribly. I also saw God's sensitivity in Judges 7:9-11 when He says to Gideon, "Get up!…I have given you victory over them! But if you are afraid to attack, go down…Listen…and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack." He knows Gideon's heart and He knows that he needs to be emboldened further. 

  The redemptive plan is not seen too clearly in Judges, other than the desperate need of deliverance  that runs rampant through it. I was reminded of the story of Jesus in 11:34 in the story of Jephthah. He makes a vow with God and ends up giving Him "his one and only child." In this account of Manoah, the angel of the Lord appears to his wife and says, "…you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son." (13:3) He is described to be a rescuer for "Israel from the Philistines." (v5) For me, this points to Mary's experience with the angel of the Lord speaking to her and that she would give birth to a son that would be a rescuer; thee Rescuer

  The part of Judges that I found really encouraging is when God and Gideon are having a conversation in 6:11-23. In summary, Gideon makes a bunch of excuses for God not to use him in rescuing Israel from the Midianites and God doesn't comment on any of them. He responds with "Go with the strength you have…I am sending you!" and "I will be with you." God looks past all of our insecurities and excuses and He affirms us and empowers us to do His will. 

  The only positive worship time it mentions is in Judges 7:15. Gideon "bowed in worship before the Lord." It was in response to a "dream and its interpretation" and he responded with thankfulness and praise. When coming into a time of worship we must thank God first for all He has done. So often we rush in with our requests, and sometimes demands, when what we need to do is reflect and thank and soak in Him; in His goodness. I love how Gideon bows, it shows reverence and ultimate humility. But my all time favourite verse in the whole book is 13:18 when God says, in response to why He won't say His name, "It is too wonderful for you to understand." I love this verse and everything it implies. God's name is unfathomable and incomprehensible. In the future when I lead worship I want to try and convey the importance of His name and the wonderfulness each name possesses. 

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