Continuing on the story of Israel after Joshua died, Judges covers a time in Israel's history where the people are living under a theocracy: ruled by God via the teaching within the Torah (first five books, the Pentachauch, which was written by Moses) and through the judges of the land who were meant to be men of God. The word for judges in Hebrew can have the common judicial meaning, or it can mean deliverer or saviour. The people mentioned here are especially the deliverer/saviour kind, though they might have judicial roles at points. There would have been other judicial judges present in the land of Israel,some listening to God and there would also be many with the position of judges that ignored God, much like Samuel's children did at the end of the Judges period (which we will get to soon)
There are many stories here. Most are in rough chronological order, but there are a few near the start that happen before Joshua died - for instance the story about Caleb conquering Hebron which we see from a slightly different perspective, where it then goes on to describe that Israel failed to conquer the land completely. Also the stories about the silver idol and the Levite, and the tribe of Benjamin near the end are out of chronological order, presumably because they are stories of tribes' failings rather than of specific judges.
The most obvious theme in Judges is that repetitive cycle where the people reject God, go after other gods/mix with other nations, get oppressed, suffer, cry to God, God delivers them via a judge, they repent and obey God, then when the judge dies, they reject God again, or the next generation does. Whether it is wandering in the desert, ruled by judges, kings, prophets, or other leaders, this cycle continues and highlights our fallible nature and the ease with which our fallen nature is tempted to reject our Maker and try to be like others - whether the grass really is greener or not. It is easy to be harsh with Israel concerning this, and they were certainly wrong, but I am also reminded of my own tendency to do this even with the Holy Spirit as an ever-present Guide and Help, which they didn't have individually. In my own efforts, I end up like the Israelites, falling again and again, but when I listen to Him, then in His strength I do stand strong.
As with much of the historical books, there are few direct teachings here, just records of events. An incident recorded does not often indicate whether it is recorded for approval, condemnation, or bits of both. In some cases we can understand a little more by seeing how God responds when instructing the people - we see patience with Gideon who seeks affirmation from God multiple times, and an immediate change in prophecy when Barak doesn't want to obey instructions and lead the army unless Deborah goes with him. He knows the hearts - we don't always - but the passages have been recorded for our instruction and learning, and by the light of the rest of Scripture we can glean the moral lessons from these historical examples while seeing the overall themes of God's patience, chastening, and sovereignty.
One enlightening part in terms of God's chastening is Judges 2:22:
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.
(Jdg 2:20-22)
It reminds me of quote by C R Findley:
"God seldom delivers Christian virtues all wrapped up in a package and ready for use. Rather He puts us in situations where by His help we can develop those virtues."
The Israelites didn't obey, so God put them in a situation where they received consequences for their disobedience, and where they could learn obedience. He could have wiped out the rest of the Canaanites Himself, but He left them there as tools to chasten Israel.
There are a number of judges with only small mention in the book too, and it seems that for these judges things went relatively well - their battle was won, Israel repented and was saved. Most historians in this era would love to focus on the successes of battle, rather than the mistakes, but this is God's book for our learning, and we learn more from mistakes often that we do from a right example (though we need those too), so the errors of other judges are recorded for us also. Also a reminder that doing the right thing does not necessarily get you fame - often the wrong thing will receive more fame, but fame is not the important thing in God's eyes.
Just some small notes on the individual stories:
I love the song of Deborah and Barak - how they give praise to the Lord and focus on His glory and triumph.
The story of Gideon is interesting - God calls him a mighty man of valour before he has done anything because God knows his heart. Gideon obeys God, and even his father who worshipped Baal ends up defending Gideon despite it being his altar that was destroyed - hopefully the first step to repentance toward God. He seeks signs for confidence - he knows what God's will is and he has seen God's power, but he wants to be able to have utmost assurance when he goes out to lead all of God's army - and then God cuts the army down to just 300, but gives Gideon another sign of assurance of victory - the victory is the Lord's, not Gideon's. Unfortunately the end is poor - the ephod may have been be made out of desire to remind people of the Lord's rule, but after his death the people made it an idol, and Gideon's polygamy and children left a sad legacy for the mighty man of valour.
Jephthah was a bastard son, but was used of God for victory - He does not care who our parentage is. Unfortunately he was influenced by ideas from nations round about and made first an unwise vow, and then stupidly carried it out - the Mosaic law did make provision for redeeming something vowed by payment or substitution, but instead he added to the unwise vow by carrying out a disobedient and displeasing sacrifice.
Samson was the only judge committed to the Lord from the womb, but he wanted to do things his way, and set out haphazardly creating conflict to exact revenge, and slowly becoming more immoral and disrespectful to his Nazarite vow (touching the lion's body was also against the vow, not just the cutting of the hair). Also, he keeps putting himself in a situation for temptation, particularly with Delilah, whom he slowly allows to get closer and closer to the truth of his strength - his close relationship with God based on the Nazarite pledge.
The story of the silver idol and the levite is tragic - the idolatry spreads from a thieving act to a household's idolatry to a nation's idolatry. Notice too how the mother loves to justify herself spiritually - making an idol to 'remove the curse'; claiming the Lord would bless her for having a Levite (who should have been in one of the Levitical cities) - in both cases the opposite of what was spiritually good.
The tale of the disobedience and destruction of Benjamin is also tragic - the nation of Israel finally are roused to do something about the apostasy amongst them, but rely a lot on their own strength and decisions, though they do seek the Lord a couple of times - their victory is after more thorough dependence on God realised after defeat and shown through fasting - and then they don't really seek God again afterwards to deal with the problem of wives for the tribe, they just do their own thing.
Lord help us to listen to and rely upon You always, for our own devices are sure to fail!
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