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When The Judges Ruled Israel Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Tola’s Judgeship Judg 10:1-2 The next 2 judges receive little attention in the inspired record We go from Abimelech to Jephthah Israel is getting worse & worse Finally, a frustrated God challenges Israel to seek deliverance from her idols

Tola’s Judgeship Judg 10:1-2 After Abimelech’s death, Tola was raised to judge Israel v. 1a 9:50-54 From the tribe of Issachar…living in Ephraim The specific oppressor is unknown He judged Israel 23 years v. 2

Tola’s Judgeship Judg 10:1-2 Since God never “raised” Abimelech, his wickedness & murderous exploits could be viewed as an “oppression” from which to redeem Israel Thus, the phrase “After Abimelech died… Tola arose to save Israel…”

Jair’s Judgeship Judg 10:3-5 Following Tola was Jair He was from Gilead He had 30 sons who rode 30 donkeys…they ruled 30 cities He judged Israel 22 years

Josh. 22:9

Judg. 5:17 “The Villages Of Jair”

Jair’s Judgeship Judg 10:3-5 For the next 2½ chapters, the focus will be on Gilead (E of the Jordan River) Jair 10:3-5 Ammonite oppression in Gilead 10:6-18 The record of Jephthah 11:1 – 12:7

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 Once again, Israel did evil…they served the Baals and the Ashtaroth v. 6a 2:19 Their idolatry was increasing, not decreasing They adopted the gods all around them (Aram – NE; Sidon – NW; Moab – S; Ammon – E; Philistia – W) They forsook the Lord, forgot Him v. 6b

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 God’s reaction was consistent v. 7 In His anger, He delivered them into the hands of another oppressor This time, it was a little different…He allowed them to be oppressed on multiple sides (Ammon – E…Philistia – W)

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 Israel’s “2-sided misery” vv. 8-9 For the first time, the record states the tribes who lived E of the Jordan are afflicted They were oppressed for 18 years While Philistia pressed from the W, Ammon would cross the Jordan and also afflict Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 Israel’s “2-sided misery” vv. 8-9 The comments in vv. 6-9 also indicate an overlapping of the story of Jephthah against the Ammonites with the story of Samson against the Philistines They will end at different times, but they did occur somewhat concurrently

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 God & Israel’s “discussion” vv. 10-16 Israel was “greatly distressed” because of her “2-sided misery”…she cried out to God In her cry, she freely admitted her sinfulness in worshiping the Baals v. 10 For the 1st time in the record, God is shown to be frustrated vv. 11-14

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 God & Israel’s “discussion” vv. 10-16 God’s “frustrated response” vv. 11-14 He reminds Israel of all the redemptive work He had done for her His frustration had reached its limit…He would not deliver her anymore

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 God & Israel’s “discussion” vv. 10-16 God’s “frustrated response” vv. 11-14 Finally, He challenges them to seek refuge and deliverance from the gods she had been serving

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 God & Israel’s “discussion” vv. 10-16 Israel’s genuine penitence vv. 15-16a She accepted her punishment as deserved… God could do to her as He wished v. 15a What she desired the most was relief from the “vise” in which she was caught v. 15b She also showed “good faith” v. 16a

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 God & Israel’s “discussion” vv. 10-16 Israel’s genuine penitence vv. 15-16a Israel putting away her idols illustrates the demands of repentance…changed behavior must match the change in mental resolve Mt 3:8 Acts 26:20 2 Cor 7:8-11

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 God & Israel’s “discussion” vv. 10-16 God’s reaction v. 16b Once again, God demonstrated His love and compassion…He could “no longer bear the misery of Israel” He is a God who wants to forgive the penitent Ezek 18:23, 32 1 Tim 2:4 2 Pet 3:9

Ammonite Oppression Judg 10:6-18 Segue to Jephthah’s story vv. 17-18 The Ammonites arrange themselves in battle array to oppress Israel in Gilead v. 17 Those in Gilead begin searching for one who would lead them into battle Whoever is chosen would become the ruler throughout all of Gilead v. 18

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