Introduction. The book of Judges records Israel’s rapid descent into idolatry after entering the promised land of Canaan. “The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua,” “But when all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord.” From that moment until the end of the book, the same cycle of events is repeated. First, “They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.” Second, “the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel.” Third “He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them.” Fourth, “the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” Finally, “when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers.” (Judg. 2:7-19)
God ruled over Israel as their king throughout the days of the Judges. He had complete control over them. He chose when plunderers would come and how long they were needed. He saw when Israel’s repentance reached a level that merited His deliverance. He searched Israel and found the best person to become their judge. He gave His own assessment of how He used the judges: “the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people.” (1Chr. 17:6). The Judges were God’s ordained method to lead, care for, and shepherd His people.
He chose the system of the judges to keep His promise to Abraham. His descendants through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob/Israel must become a great nation and must endure until the promised seed came to bless all nations (Jesus). The plunderers He used brought Israel to repentance and then the judges brought deliverance. He gave Israel no role in this. He saw when they needed to be punished, He decided when and who would deliver them, and He gave power to each judge to bring about deliverance. He used His mighty power to work for them as He had done since the ten plagues in Egypt. Israel was greatly blessed with God’s wisdom and foresight to use judges. In the midst of continual apostasy, He never failed them and never forsook them. He used this method to rule His people for about 450 years. (Acts 13:20-21).
God ruled over Israel as their king throughout the days of the Judges. He had complete control over them. He chose when plunderers would come and how long they were needed. He saw when Israel’s repentance reached a level that merited His deliverance. He searched Israel and found the best person to become their judge. He gave His own assessment of how He used the judges: “the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people.” (1Chr. 17:6). The Judges were God’s ordained method to lead, care for, and shepherd His people.
He chose the system of the judges to keep His promise to Abraham. His descendants through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob/Israel must become a great nation and must endure until the promised seed came to bless all nations (Jesus). The plunderers He used brought Israel to repentance and then the judges brought deliverance. He gave Israel no role in this. He saw when they needed to be punished, He decided when and who would deliver them, and He gave power to each judge to bring about deliverance. He used His mighty power to work for them as He had done since the ten plagues in Egypt. Israel was greatly blessed with God’s wisdom and foresight to use judges. In the midst of continual apostasy, He never failed them and never forsook them. He used this method to rule His people for about 450 years. (Acts 13:20-21).