Study In Judges Presentation 001

Conquest And Failure Chapter 1v1-21 Presentation 001

Introduction We begin with an introductory comment made by Graham Scroggie: “This Book takes its name from a characteristic of the period between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul, namely the rule of Judges, or saviours, whom God raised up to deliver His oppressed people. Of these there were fifteen, Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah- Barak, Gideon, Abimelech, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Samson, Eli and Samuel. There were three leading types, the Warrior- Judge, as Gideon and Samson; the Priest-Judge, as Eli; and the Prophet- Judge, as Samuel. The chief of these Judges were Deborah, Gideon Samson and Samuel. The period of the Judges cannot be determined with any precision, but we may reckon about 330 years for this period. Nothing is known as to the authorship, though tradition ascribes it to Samuel”. Presentation 001

Overview Where does this book fit into the on-going history of God’s revelation? In Ex.20 God constituted Israel as the covenant people. Exodus Chaps records their wilderness wanderings. The Book of Numbers expands upon Israel’s unfaithfulness during her wilderness years. In the Book of Joshua, we read of her conquest of the Promised Land - a partial conquest as it turned out for we read in Joshua 13:1, ‘There are still large areas of land to be taken over’. Presentation 001

Map showing the settlement after the tribes of Israel had possessed their inheritance. Overview

Following the death of Joshua, recorded in Judges 2:8, we have a turbulent period, a retreating peak and trough pattern of sin - oppression - bondage - crying to the Lord – and finally, deliverance through the instrumentality of a Judge. This pattern takes the form of an increasingly downward spiritual spiral resulting in anarchy which was to grip the nation for; ‘every man did that which was right in his own eyes’ Judges 21v25. This period continued into 1 Samuel 12. Samuel was a transitional character and the last of the Judges. Disobedience Chastisement Repentance Deliverance

Overview Old Testament history is Christocentric. It can be viewed as the unfolding history of the promised Seed in Gen. 3v15. The book of Judges therefore, can be shown to form a significant step in the unfolding of the divine plan of redemption. The role of the deliverer- judge prepares the way for the perfect Deliverer-Judge our Lord Jesus Christ. We further see in this book the preparation of a people through whom, in the fullness of time, Christ the Redeemer of the world would come. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign If the death of Joshua is the focus of 2v6-9, why do we read in 1v1, ‘after the death of Joshua’? This section is probably a general introduction to the whole book, rather than a reference to what follows. The events of 1v1-2v5 took place during the lifetime of Joshua. It describes Judah’s [and Simeon’s] campaign against the Canaanites under the rule of Adoni Bezek. How did the children of Israel ‘ask’ the Lord v1 about the order of battle? Presumably by use of Urim and Thummim [Ex. 28v30], or by lot [Josh 7v16]. By whatever method, clearly supernatural guidance is sought. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign The significant fact to note is that they asked at all. They have clearly learned from past folly, Josh 9v14. It is hard not to run ahead of God particularly if we think we know where he is leading us. The tribe of Judah was appointed [v2] to lead the campaign, probably because he was the champion of his brethren, Gen 49:8. Judah asks for Simeon’s help. It was in Simeon’s interest to help because their inheritance was within the territory of Judah [Josh 19v1-9]. Judah indicated, “we need one another”. Presentation 001 SIMEON

On-going Campaign This teaches an important spiritual lesson. Judah didn’t think, “We’re strong, we can manage”, she took one of the weaker tribes along with her thus strengthening Simeon’s weak self-image. In effect saying, “You are necessary to us”. It means a great deal to the sort of person who has a tendency to write himself off to be told, ‘You are necessary to the work’ Think how John Mark the former failed missionary must have felt when years later Paul wrote, Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” 2 Tim. 4v11. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign The capture of king Adoni Bezek was Judah’s goal. His capture would result in the enemy’s resistance crumbling. The gruesomeness of the retribution in v6-7 suggests that, Israel went beyond what has been described as a ‘holy war’. That said look at how Adoni Bezek responds to his fate in v7. This heathen ruler recognised the operation of a retributive justice, acknowledging that he is ‘reaping what he has sown’. He had treated 70 other rulers in precisely the same way. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign Jerusalem was the city of the Jebusites v8. It is the city of Salem mentioned in Gen 14v18, over which Melchizedek ruled as priest-king. Seemingly, it was only partially destroyed. The tribe of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites v21. Perhaps the city was not completely captured – the township may have been taken but not the citadel or fortress. The city was then taken back later by the Jebusites, and not recaptured again until the time of David 2 Sam. 5v6 ff. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign Caleb’s promise of his daughter’s hand to the warrior who captured Debir, seems to be a test for Othniel, his nephew. Because Caleb was a man of considerable fame, wealth and influence, how could he be sure that his daughter’s suitors were interested in her and not the status and wealth of her father. And so a test is devised! Caleb was concerned to see what stuff his future son-in-law was made of. He must surely have been happy with the result. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign Othniel became the first Judge in Israel. He was the first national leader after Joshua’s death. Can you see how God’s providences were at work, even at this point, in his preparation for the future. Remember that both Joshua and Caleb’s response to the challenges of their first spying mission had proved decisive for their future Num.13v And now, in this love story a similar thing happens again. Othniel proved his worth in battle. This stood him in good stead, when God’s Spirit came upon him and chose him to be the first Judge of his people. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign Clearly Achsah’s dowry had included a parcel of land in the south, a parched area with little water, producing her request in v15. She follows in her father’s footsteps. Years earlier Caleb petitioned Joshua. “Give me this mountain” Joshua 14v10- 12, and it had been given him. Now Achsah does the same, “give me also springs of water”. What a great thing it is when a daughter displays the same spiritual calibre as her father! Caleb gave her more than she asked. He gave the upper and the lower springs. Interestingly, this mirrors God’s dealings with his children: when they ask, he gives us far more than we might expect. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign This incident is a microcosm of how Israel as a whole should have lived and conducted their campaign, daringly, positively, and in faith. If all the tribes had shown this spirit, they would have fared far better, and got much further than they did. Why did they fail? Was it a matter of low- spiritedness? A lack of will and determination? A low threshold of endurance? Were they too easily discouraged? Their behaviour is more reminiscent of the earlier generation’s faithlessness in their wilderness wanderings than of the spirited forward movement under the leadership of Joshua. Presentation 001

On-going Campaign Moses’ reacted angrily when Reuben and Gad wanted to settle in Gilead rather than cross the Jordan and enter the Land of Promise with the other tribes, Num. 32v1ff. Did Moses, even then, see the beginnings of a spirit of half- heartedness, for which God’s people would pay dearly in later years? Reuben and Gad would regularly bear the first brunt of enemy attack, because they did not have the protection of the River Jordan which they had refused to cross [cf Judges 10v8, 17, 18; 1 Kings 22v3; 2 Kings 10v32,33] See the next slide. Presentation 001

Reuben and Gad experienced the brunt of the enemy attacks and did not have the barrier of the River Jordan to protect them

On-going Campaign Moses’ eventual agreement to their request can only be regarded as permissive. It is possible to go down the route of compromise with God who says, “If you are determined on this course, then follow it and take the consequences”, This is precisely what the Psalmist had in mind when he wrote;, “He gave them their request; but sent leanness to their soul”. Psalm 106:15 See also Judges 5v15-17 Presentation 001

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