Judges 1
This book opens with the Israelites still fighting to claim the
land God promised as an inheritance. Judah takes the lead role, by
the Lord's direction 1-10. Caleb is still going strong and offers
his daughter to the one who captures the city 11-15. Othniel (later
a judge) is the one who does this. Caleb gives springs of water in
response to his daughter's request 15. He appears to be a generous
person. We the read of various campaigns against the people living
in the land 16-36. It is significant that the tribes from Judah on
ward do not totally destroy the inhabitants as the Lord commanded.
The repeated phrases is that they did not drive out or dislodge the
people 21, 27-28, 30, 33. It is subtitle, but telling that the
Israelites went from allowing these nations to remain (to live
among them) 21,27, to the Israelites (Asher and Naphtali ) lived
among them - the nations to be driven out - (note the shift) 32-33
to the people of the land confining the Danites and not allowing
them to leave the hills. 34-36. Note: This illustrates how little
by little the enemy can get a foothold in our lives and over time
it becomes a stronghold and ultimately bondage. Sin always
drags us down and away from the Lord. The remedy for them (and us)
is to repent, turn to the Lord, and fully depend on Him to enable
to carry His will (ie. from disobedience to obedience). Sadly, the
pattern of Israel is one failure after another that progressively
takes them further down and away from the Lord.
Judges 2
The Angel of the Lord appears and speaks words of judgment against
Israel for their failure to obey the Lord. The people weep, but do
not repent 1-4. A summary is given of the people during Joshua's
time 6-9. The next generation does evil in the eyes of the Lord and
forsakes Him, actively pursuing other (false) gods 10-16. God
allows their enemies to plunder and subdue them as part of His
judgment. Verses 16-19 are a synopsis of the entire period of
history coved by the 'book of Judges'. Note: Judges were 'delivers'
18. The Lord's response is anger towards His people along with the
refusal to drive out the inhabitants any longer. This God did as a
test to see if His people would seek, repent, serve, and obey Him.
Did they pass
Note: What might God have allowed to be part of your life or mine
as a test to see if we would seek Him in those matters ?
Judges 3
Again it is stated that the Lord used these nations (left in the
land) as a test for the Israelites. They failed in that they
intermarried with them and served their gods. This brought the
Lord's judgment on them 1-6. In their bondage they called out to
the Lord, Who in His mercy raises up a 'judge' to deliver them 7-9.
Othniel (1:13) is the first of these judges. I notice that the
'Spirit of the Lord comes upon Him' and he has the victory 10.
During his life (and leadership as a judge) there is 40 years of
peace for the Israelites. Ehud is the next judge and is left-handed
which proves a help in the fight against their oppressors 15-22.
The 'fat' king of Moab is slain by him 21-25 ( some humorous
details here) and Ehud rallies the troops and by God's hand their
have victory and peace for 18 years 25-30. Shamgar is another judge
31. (Some of these judges may have been 'local' and not over all
the nation ?) Shamgar's weapon is an ox goad. God can use what we
have in our hands to accomplish His purposes. Note: The New
Testament believer's weapon is the sword of the Spirit
which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). I would suggest that
each of these 'judges' were empowered by the Holy Spirit to
accomplish the deliverance God had for His people. Note: Ponder
this, that one 'spirit empower, spirit led' person is able to
deliver a nation and a source of peace.
Judges 4
When Ehud died, Israel did evil and the Lord sold them into the
hands of their enemies 1-3. Deborah was leading Israel and was a
prophetess 4-5. She was used by the Lord in these ways. Barak is
sent for and told to attack the enemy 6-7. In fear (?) he asks for
Deborah to go with him 8 who says the Lord will hand Sisera over to
a woman 9. Which is what the Lord does through the hand of Jael
17-22. (gruesome but effective method she used).Barak is victorious
in battle 12-16 and Israel grew strong and they destroyed the
enemy 23-24. Note: The Lord will use those who are willing to be
'instruments' in His hands. Godly women are not excluded in the
purposes of God.
Judges 5
The Song of Deborah is recorded in this chapter. It is a recounting
of the events which just occurred but put in poetic terms. The
focus is on the actions of Deborah, Barak, ans some of the tribes
of Israel. 7,9,12,14-15. There is a puzzelment over why some did
not come to the battle 16-17, while others risked their lives 18.
The Lord is also promanant 3,5,11,13,23,31. Jael is also praised
for her actions 24-27. The song even captures the feeling of
Sisera's mother 28-30. She was hoping for spoils but her son was
defeated. This song was to the Lord and its application is in verse
31 with the enemies of the Lord destroyed and the ones who love Him
shining strong. The land had peace for 40 years. Note: There is
value in recounting the victories God gives us. To put the words to
music is not only creative, but an act of worship.
Jusges 6
Oppression by the Midianites takes place for seven years. 1-6.
Note: Sometimes sin creates long term suffering and bondage. A
prophet of the Lord tells the people the reason for their troubles
7-10. God calls Gideon to be the next judge 11. Despite objections
Gideon makes an offering to the Lord and tares down the altar of
Baal at the Lord's command 17-32. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon
him and he calls for the troops of Israel to gather to him 33-34.
The familiar 'fleece' was used to confirm the will of the Lord to
Gideon. The Lord condescended and answered his request to affirm
Gideon 36-40. Note: Some feel such an act was an indication of a
lack of faith and should not be imitated by believer's today. While
we are not to discern the will of God based on a fleece (a 'You do
this Lord, I'll do that' approach); because today we have the
full counsel of the Word of God; yet the Lord does direct us by the
Holy Spirit in our circumstances. There are times He may choose to
use our need to a 'sign' to affirm us in His will. This He does as
a token of His grace knowing are fears and lack of faith.
Judges 7
Preparations are made to attach the Midianites. The Lord reduces
the number of Israelites to 300 men, so that they will not boast
about the victory as though they, themselves accomplished it. 1-8.
Gideon is to to spy on the camp and hears of a dream (God given)
that assures him of the victory.8b-14 Gideon worships the Lord at
the word he hears 15. The 300 armed with swords, torches, and
trumpets surrounded the camp, while the Lord set the men of Midian
against each other 16-22. Note: The Lord is not limited in what He
can and will do to accomplish His purposes. He can change a
person's mind or take them out (by any number of means) so that His
will be realized. Gideon calls out men from the other tribes to
help in the pursuit and defeat of Midian 23-25. Note: Involvement
of others in lives battles is essential.
Judges 8
Zebah and Zalmuna, Midianite kings are pursued by Gideon and the
300 men. They are refused food and water by the officials of
Succoth and Penial. Gideon vows to punish them for their attitude
4-9. Though out numbered and wearied Gideon and his men capture the
kings and discipline those who taunted him 10-16. He kills the two
kings with his own hands when his young son refuses 18-21. Note: It
is amazing how God can transform a timid man (or woman) into a
brave warrior. This boldness is seen throughout this chapter.
However, verses 22-27 show a different side of Gideon that resulted
in the people being corrupted by what he made. They people enjoyed
40 years of peace. Gideon lived to a good old age and have 71
children including a son named Abimelech (meaning 'my father is a
king'). As soon as he the the people of Israel went back to Baal
worship and failed to show kindness to Gideon's family. Note: It is
easy to be critical of the things individuals and the nation as a
whole did, considering they were 'God's people'. God has this
recorded so that we might learn from their examples (follow what is
good and avoid what is bad is a very simplistic application) and to
also show us ourselves. For in these accounts we see our own
selves, who do the same things and act the same way. This should
drive us to the Lord to plead His mercy and grace which we need
each and every day.