Judges and and Samuel Samuel

The Judges were raised up by God to save the people of God (Judges 2:16). They were “charismatic” leaders empowered by the Spirit of God (3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25) They were also concerned with justice within the nation. Of most of them it is said they “judged Israel” for a stated number of years.

The Book of Judges Content: the cyclical narrative of the time of the judges, with emphasis on Israel’s repeated lack of covenant loyalty. Historical coverage: from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the monarchy. Emphases: the tenuous results of the conquest; God’s constant rescue of his people, despite their habitual failure to keep covenant with him; the desperate conditions and overall downward spiral during this period; the need of a good king.

JudgesOthnielEhudShamgarDeborahGideonJephthah Ibzan, Elon, Abdon SamsonEliSamuel

NationsAmmonites (three times) Amalekites(twice)Moabites(once)Midianites(once)Philistines

International Situation Major Empires: EgyptHittitesAssyria The weakness of these powers enables Israel to consolidate. The main problem was from small kingdoms

Overview of Judges 1:1-3:6Introduction: An overture setting forth the main themes. 3:7-16:31Main Narrative Cycle: A series of “variations” on the themes. 17:1-21:25Epilogue: A “coda” illustrating the primary theme. Events which trouble the modern mind – Jael, Jephthah, Judges

Chronology of Judges Added together the figures in Judges add up to 390 years. Yet most consider the period covered to be under 200 years. This is explained by various judges overlapping one another. AE Cundall suggests: 1200Othniel 1170Ehud 1150Shamgar 1125Deborah and Barak 1100Gideon 1070Jephthah 1070Samson

Political and Religious Conditions The period was one of moral, political and spiritual disintegration. There are condemnations throughout the book – Judges 2:12, 17, 19; 3; 17:6; 21:25. Syncretistic Tendencies: Gideon – Name (Jerub-baal), Baal and Asherah (6:25), Ephod (8:27) Jephthah – Chemosh (11:24), human sacrifice Micah (17:4,5) – Ephod, Teraphim, graven image

Impact of Canaanite Religion Canaanite religion was polytheistic. There were strong syncretistic tendencies. Yahweh was confusion with the fertility god Baal. Cultic prostitution Human sacrifice High places Commemorative stones or pillars Asherah (6:25) Ephod Teraphim or household gods

Gideon Judges 6-8

Story of Gideon 6:1-6 An economic emergency 6:1-6 An economic emergency 6:11-24 Gideon’s call and commission. 6:11-24 Gideon’s call and commission. Note role of the angel of the Lord (6:11) Note role of the angel of the Lord (6:11) 6:25-32 The hold of syncretism 6:25-32 The hold of syncretism 6:34 The Spirit of the Lord on Gideon 6:34 The Spirit of the Lord on Gideon 6:36-40 Gideon’s frailty 6:36-40 Gideon’s frailty 7:1-8 The reduction of the army 7:1-8 The reduction of the army 8:22-23 Gideon refuses to be king 8:22-23 Gideon refuses to be king 8:25-32 Gideon’s idolatry and death 8:25-32 Gideon’s idolatry and death 8:29-35 Return to the old ways 8:29-35 Return to the old ways

The Philistines They entered Canaan (probably from Cyprus, Crete, and the Aegean Islands) between 1190 and 1174 BC and settled in the costal cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath and Gaza. They had a closely knit and very efficient social and military organization. They had iron chariots, iron weapons, and horses which made them superior to the Israelites. Towards the end of the Judges period they became a very serious threat to Israel as they pushed further inland both north and east.

Purpose of Ruth To reinforce the obligation of a male relative to take a dead man’s sonless widow as a wife to raise up an heir for the deceased. To reinforce the obligation of a male relative to take a dead man’s sonless widow as a wife to raise up an heir for the deceased. To encourage the inclusion of foreigners by showing that God blessed a mixed marriage with the gift of Obed, David’s grandfather. To encourage the inclusion of foreigners by showing that God blessed a mixed marriage with the gift of Obed, David’s grandfather. To show how God guides and helps those who are faithful to their covenant obligations. To show how God guides and helps those who are faithful to their covenant obligations. To demonstrate divine providence. God works through the good and the bad. To demonstrate divine providence. God works through the good and the bad.

Storyline of Ruth 1 Tragedy strikes Elimelech’s family 1 Tragedy strikes Elimelech’s family 2. The law allows some relief (Lev 19:9- 10). Boaz’s kindness goes beyond the law’s demands. 2. The law allows some relief (Lev 19:9- 10). Boaz’s kindness goes beyond the law’s demands. 3 The threshing floor; appeal to Boaz as the next of kin. (A seductress?) 3 The threshing floor; appeal to Boaz as the next of kin. (A seductress?) 4 Transaction between kinsmen; Ruth’s marriage and family 4 Transaction between kinsmen; Ruth’s marriage and family

The Kinsman Redeemer Under the Levirate law (referred to by Naomi in 1:11-13), when a man died childless his brother was bound to raise an heir to him by the widow. This law extended to the next of kin, hence Naomi’s plan. Ruth, by her action in Ruth 3:7, was claiming this right. It is complicated by the fact that Boaz is not in fact Elimelech’s closest kinsman, but he promises to take up her case.

Samuel

Location of the Central Sanctuary Shechem – Joshua 8:30-34, 24:1ff Shechem – Joshua 8:30-34, 24:1ff Bethel - Judges 20:18, 26ff Bethel - Judges 20:18, 26ff Shiloh – Judges 18:31; 1 Samuel 1:3 Shiloh – Judges 18:31; 1 Samuel 1:3 The Loss of the Ark of the Covenant The Ark was a symbol of the presence of God guiding and protecting his people. Its loss (1 Sam 4) was a national tragedy. The glory had departed from Israel (4:21-22).

Israel’s worship 1 Samuel Samuel 1-3 Annual pilgrimage to the sanctuary at Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifice. Annual pilgrimage to the sanctuary at Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifice. Priests officiated on these occasions. Priests officiated on these occasions. Worshippers sometimes made individual prayers. Worshippers sometimes made individual prayers. Elkanah and his family as well as the priests ate part of this sacrifice. Elkanah and his family as well as the priests ate part of this sacrifice.

Old Testament Sacrifices Burnt Offerings Burnt Offerings  Lev 1:1-17; 6:8-13 Cereal Offerings Cereal Offerings  Lev 2:1-16; 6:14-18 Peace Offerings Peace Offerings  Lev 3:1-17; 7:11-30 Sin Offering Sin Offering  Lev 4:1-4, 13; 6:24-30 Guilt Offering Guilt Offering  Lev 5:14-19; 7:1-10 Dedication to God Dedication to God  Whole animal burnt Homage & thanksgiving Homage & thanksgiving  Salted unleaven cakes Fellowship, Gratitude Fellowship, Gratitude  Animal shared – God, priest … Atonement for sins against Atonement for sins against  Animal or cereal God Atonement for sins against fellow men Atonement for sins against fellow men

Samuel Dedicated to God (1:11, 28) Dedicated to God (1:11, 28) Called by God from an age (3:2-10) Called by God from an age (3:2-10) When the word of the Lord was rare (3:1), Samuel emerged as a prophet (3:19-20). Received and passed on word of God (8:6- 7, 21-22; 15:11-16). When the word of the Lord was rare (3:1), Samuel emerged as a prophet (3:19-20). Received and passed on word of God (8:6- 7, 21-22; 15:11-16). A Man of Prayer (7:8; 12:19) A Man of Prayer (7:8; 12:19) Led in Renewal (7:5-6) Led in Renewal (7:5-6) Disappointment (8:6), perplexity (8:21) and anger (15:11) Disappointment (8:6), perplexity (8:21) and anger (15:11) Ended ministry with prayer (12:23) Ended ministry with prayer (12:23)

Charismatic anointing does not necessarily produce holiness of life. Why did God use them at all? Through all this God is working out his purposes for His people and His King and His Messiah