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Role of the Judges in Israel

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Role of the Judges in Israel
Johnnie Hamilton
Grand Canyon University: BIB-104 Old Testament Historical Perspectives
August 12, 2012

Introduction After deliverance from Egypt, inhabiting the Promised Land under the direction of God through Joshua, the Israelites had experienced a period of bliss. The people were united and fear of domination by another was no longer of consequence at least for the time being. Sadly, in spite of the love, kindness and grace displayed by God to His people, the Israelites continued their cyclical living with periods of obedience followed by periods of failure. The Book of Judges chronicles the times during the early settlement of the Promised Land when there was no king or governing body. This was the time whereby God enlists “judges” or prophets of the people. They were responsible for delivering the people from their captors, then uniting them, relaying messages from God to them and also for providing advice and direction on matters of day to day life.
The Book of Judges The Book of Judges is organized around a series of failures that occurred when God’s people ignored Him. The beginning can be summarized into a five main parts that serve as a theological interpretation of the entire period (Judges 2:10-23).
How Soon They Forget Not just an introduction to the need for judges but a recap of the inconsistency of the people despite the gifts that they continue to receive. In Judges 2:19-13, “10That whole generation was gathered to their ancestors, and another generation grew up after them, who did not know the lord or the work that he had done for Israel. 11And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baal’s; 12And they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; they went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were round about them, and bowed down to them. . . 13They forsook the LORD, and served the Baal’s and the Ash'taroth.”
Delivered Unto Thy Enemies The punishment for disobeying God is swift and decisive. However, as we learned throughout the Old Testament, it is not always carried out by the hand of God. In Judges 2:12-14 we see just how God responds when; “12. . .and they provoked the LORD to anger. . .14So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them; and he sold them into the power of their enemies round about, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies.”
Prayer for Deliverance The people of Israel like their fathers and their fathers’ before them fell to their knees praying to God for deliverance. Just like a disappointed parent, first He denies but then His heart is softened. In Judges 2:15 we find this illustrated when; “15For the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them.”
God Sends a Deliverer Once again, in the wake of the cries from His people, the Lord establishes a new group of delivers. They will not be kings but rather judges. In Judges 2:16-17, God calls on his people to; “16Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the power of those who plundered them. . .17Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge”
A Return to Disobedience The story remains the same. Right after deliverance, there is obedience, then adherence and then after the judge is dead it is back to defiance. In Judges 2:19-20 it is articulated; “19But whenever the judge died, they turned back and behaved worse than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them; they did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.”
The Judges – Men and Women sent by God Othniel (3:7-11), Son of Kenaz and the brother of Caleb. The spirit of the Lord was on him and he was able to defeat the Arameans. Ehud (3:12-30), his greatest accomplishment was the death of Eglon the king of Moab. Shamgar (3:31, 5:6) was called to judge upon his fight with the Philistines yet once again and eventually delivering the people. Deborah (4-5), the lone woman, was a tribal leader with both military and legal prowess. She campaigned against Sisera, who was the Canaanite general under Jabin. Jabin was the King of Hazor. Together with Barak, they saw victory. Gideon (6-8) who came from a family of Baal worshippers was afraid to trust God. However, God used Gideon anyway and gave him a plan to that allowed him to defeat the Midianites. There is Abimelech who was not a judge, attempted to make himself king but ultimately failed. There was Tola and Jair (10:1-5) who combined ruled for forty-five (45) years. Next came Jephthah (10:6-12:7), who God had to have found great favor in. Jephthah was a great warrior and the son of a prostitute and Gilead. Liken to the life, he was driven from his home by his siblings. The Ammonites made war with Israel and again Israel found itself looking for a deliverer. Jephthah became that deliverer. God delivered the Ammonites into the hands of Jephthah after Jephthah made a covenant with God as sacrifice for God’s help. That sacrifice ended up being the ultimate price for a father, his only child. He did not complain and he did not seek relief. The opposite was true, he and his daughter sought only to honor his commitment to God. The judges who ruled after Jephthah (12:8-15) were Ibzan who ruled for seven (7) years, Elon who ruled for ten (10) and Abdon who ruled for eight (8). One of the most well-known revered and remembered judges was also one of the most morally corrupt. The gift of strength that he was blessed with was also the means by which he was ultimately destroyed. He delivered Israel from the Philistines with the power and might of one of God’s greatest but was felled by the deception of a woman. Samson ruled for twenty (20) years.
Effectiveness of Judge Rein The judges themselves were great examples of God’s grace and his commitment to His people. Individually, they achieved heroic feats, some more than others and ultimately were all effective leaders during their tenure. However, once the judge or deliverer died, the people went back to their foolish and desperate ways and the cycle continued.
Conclusion
Are we to believe that the Israelites are incapable of maintaining a close relationship with God? Were they just too weak minded and easily corrupted by the sins of the flesh and of the world to stay convicted? One thing is true that God’s punishment was swift and all- encompassing to those who consistently defied him. His discipline did not have to be carried out by His own hand but also by allowing events to unfold that included the occupation of lands inhabited by His people. God was not without conscience or concern or compassion. Like so many parents when the cries are loud enough and the hearts of repentance come forth, He always intercedes for them. When Jesus, the Son of God became flesh, He did so that all would see what spiritual consistency looks like. When he died on the cross all of our past and future sin was forgiven and no longer would the child be bound by the sins of the father. Each person, man and woman would be judged based on his/her own actions and merit.
References

Carpenter, Eugene E. (2011). The Unheard Voice of God: a Pentecostal Hearing of the Book of Judges. Source: Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 73 no 1 Ja 2011, p 129-130
Embry, Bradley (2011). The Unheard Voice of God: a Pentecostal Hearing of the Book of Judges. Source: Religious Studies Review, 37 no 3 S 2011.
Merrill, Eugene, H. (2008); An Historical Survey of the Old Testament. Baker Academic

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