Judges

by The Navigators (Produced by)

Overview

Raised Up to Rescue God’s People
In Judges we discover that no matter how far down our sins take us, God will go farther to bring us back—again and again. The judges, despite their own sinfulness, were God’s chosen leaders. Repeatedly, the people of Israel drifted into blatant sin that provoked God’s discipline. But when they repented, God raised up judges to deliver them and call them back to Himself. As you study Judges, you will witness how deeply God loves even the worst of sinners.

LifeChange
LifeChange Bible studies will help you grow in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God’s Word. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again.

Features

• Cover the entire book of Judges in 8 lessons
• Equip yourself to lead a Bible study
• Imagine the Bible’s historical world
• Study word origins and definitions
• Explore thoughtful questions on key themes
• Go deeper with optional projects
• Add your notes with extra space and wide margins
• Find the flexibility to fit the time you have

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615217373
Publisher:	Navigators
Publication date:	07/03/2018
Series:	LifeChange
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	7.27(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.34(d)

Read an Excerpt

A Life-Changing Encounter with God's Word from the Book of Judges

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By The Navigators

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Copyright © 2014 The Navigators
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-61521-737-3

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CHAPTER 1

JUDGES 1–3

The Pattern Begins

Judges 1

The book of Joshua tells how Joshua led the first phase of the conquest of the Promised Land. In that first phase, the Israelites swept through the land, conquering strategic cities in every region. Then Joshua died, and the various tribes of Israelites were supposed to carry out the second phase of conquest: driving out the pagan Canaanites and settling their allotted territories. Judges 1 sketches some scenes from that only partially successful second phase.

Modern readers are often troubled by this conquest. It seems unjust for Israel to kill masses of people and take their land. But the biblical writers take the view that the Lord owns the land. He gave it to the Canaanites, and they built a vile society in which kings and nobles oppressed the common people, children were sacrificed to the gods, and drunkenness and promiscuity were standard features of religious rites (see Leviticus 18:6-30; Deuteronomy 18:9-14). So the Lord decided to take the land away from the Canaanites and give it to the Israelites on the condition that they build a just society without these abuses. The conquest was ugly, but the Lord considered it just.

1. Outline and summarize the significant events and details recorded in these sections of the first chapter:

1:1-7

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1:8-15

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1:16-21

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1:22-2

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Come up with us.... We in turn will go with you.... The men of Judah went with the Simeonites (1:3,17). When the tribes worked together in unity, the Lord added His own assistance and gave them success. Later we will see the disasters that occurred when the tribes were not unified. The writer of Judges wants the tribes of his own day to learn from this and unite under one king.

As Moses had promised, Hebron was given to Caleb (1:20). See Joshua 14:6-15; 21:11-12.

Jerusalem (1:21). This pre-Israelite city was on the border between the territories allotted to Benjamin (later King Saul's tribe) and Judah (later King David's tribe). Neither Benjamin nor Judah managed to conquer it in the days of the Judges. Judah managed to "take" the city temporarily (see Judges 1:8), killing many of its pagan inhabitants, but Judah didn't settle the city with Israelites, and Benjamin didn't do so securely either, so pagans returned to the site and resettled it. Not until the time of David did Israel firmly drive the pagans out of Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 5:6-9).

To this day the Jebusites live there (1:21). The writer of Judges must have written his book in a time before David conquered Jerusalem, probably only a few years before.

2. Referring to 1:27-36, list the tribes named and summarize what they had in common.

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Judges 1:22-36 shows that the tribes were less and less successful in taking and securely settling the land that Joshua had allotted to them.

Forced labor (1:28,30,33,35). The Israelites were supposed to drive out these groups of pagans so that they wouldn't have a negative influence on the way the Israelites lived. In the generation after Joshua, the Israelites had the power to do this. Instead, they chose to turn the pagans into an underclass of forced laborers. At this stage they were successful in worldly terms but failing spiritually. The results of their spiritual failure were invisible at the time and became visible only later (see 2:11-13,19; 3:5-6). They started off tolerating the pagans in their midst and ended up adopting their practices — the very practices that God was trying to wipe out.

Judges 2

3. What were the major elements in the message from the Lord to Israel as recorded in Judges 2:1-3?

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The angel of the Lord (2:1). Probably not just one of God's many angels but a visible manifestation of the invisible God, which scholars call a theophany. When the Lord's premier messenger speaks, the biblical text says it is the Lord speaking (see Judges 6:11-24; compare Exodus 3:1-17). The angel of the Lord led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (see Exodus 14:19; 23:20-23). He may be God the Son before He became incarnate as the man Jesus.

Traps for you, and ... snares to you (2:3). God forbade His people from marrying Canaanites or having anything to do with them because He knew this would lead His people to adopt the gods and rites of Canaan. Then He would have to do to His people what He was doing to the Canaanites: drive them out of the land (see Numbers 33:56; Joshua 23:13; 2 Kings 17:5-8; 25:1-11).

4. From 2:4-5, summarize the people's response to the message they had been given from the Lord.

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Wept aloud (2:4). They wept because their punishment was painful, not because they were grieved at their misdeeds and committed to changing their ways. Wet eyes don't necessarily indicate repentance, as any parent of a toddler knows.

Bokim (2:5). This means "weeping."

Judges 2:6–3:6 lays out the pattern of events that will be repeated over and over in chapters 3–16. It's important to stop and study the pattern so we can look for it in later episodes. The pattern shows what the Lord is doing behind the scenes.

5. What details from Joshua 24:28-31 are repeated in Judges 2:6-9?

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Israel shouldn't have become the victim of those she was supposed to conquer. To explain how this shocking turn of events happened, the writer of Judges backs up to review the end of the book of Joshua.

6. What is the significance of the details given in 2:10?

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Another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel (2:10). Each generation was supposed to raise their children with the stories of the Lord's mighty deeds, especially the calling of Abraham and the freeing of the people from slavery in Egypt (see Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:16). If the people truly knew who the Lord was and what He had done for their ancestors, they wouldn't be attracted to other gods. They would obey the covenant given through Moses. "But the leaders — heads of families, priests, and judges — failed to keep the covenant or to tell the next generation about God's mighty deeds."

7. What specific consequences of the situation in 2:10 are spelled out in verses 11-13?

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8. Reflect especially on the statement made in 2:11. How would you summarize its full significance?

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Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord (2:11). A constant refrain in Judges. See also 2:11; 3:7,12; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6; 13:1.

Served the Baals (2:11). As Deuteronomy predicted, the crime of serving other gods was the foundational crime on which all of the rest of Israel's disobedience was built. See also 3:7; 8:33; 10:6,10. Notice also the warning in Deuteronomy 4:23.

9. How would you summarize God's response as given in the last sentence of 2:12 and in verses 14-15? What does this reveal about the character of the Lord?

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In his anger against Israel (2:14). More literally, "So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel" (ESV). "Such anger should not surprise us. It is the price we pay for being loved." Because the Lord loves us, He is jealous when we drift off to other lovers, other things we love (or fear) more than Him.

The hand of the Lord was against them (2:15). The Lord's "hand" is His power. He has used it to save Israel (see Exodus 3:20; 6:1; 13:3; Deuteronomy 4:34). Now He uses it to discipline them. Later He will use it to rescue them again. Now He is acting with justice. Later He will offer them grace again.

Just as he had sworn to them (2:15). More literally, "as the Lord had warned, and as the Lord had sworn to them" (esv). He was only doing what He had earlier promised to do if Israel was unfaithful. His anger "is a faithful anger."

10. What important facts about the judges are given in 2:16?

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The Lord raised up judges, who saved them (2:16). This is sheer grace. They don't deserve to be rescued, but He does it because He is ever faithful.

11. In 2:17, what is emphasized about the people's response to the judges and the reasons for that response?

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Prostituted themselves to other gods (2:17). The writer of Judges sees the Lord as Israel's true husband, so consorting with other gods is prostitution. The name of the god Baal, the chief god of Canaan, means "husband" or "owner."

12. Summarize the details of the cycle of action described in 2:18-19.

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The Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them (2:18). The use of the word "groan" recalls Israel's slavery in Egypt (see Exodus 2:24; 6:5). The Lord's compassion is as great as it was when He rescued the people back then. Even though their groaning reflects unhappiness, not repentance, it still moves Him to see them so desolate.

The people returned to ways even more corrupt (2:19). Sin is an ever-increasing slavery, an addiction, a tyrant.

Their evil practices and stubborn ways (2:19). "Sin is not simply an action you do or fail to do, that you can choose to do or not to do. Sin is a power that holds you in its grip."

13. What does God promise to do in 2:20-23, and for what reason?

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14. In Judges 2:22, we read of God's intention to test Israel. In 3:1-2 and 3:4, what more is said about God's reasons for testing His people?

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Judges 3

15. Summarize Israel's situation as described in 3:1-6.

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The five rulers of the Philistines (3:3). In the list of "the nations" left in Canaan (see 3:1-3), the Philistines take first place as Israel's main enemies. They had five cities along the Mediterranean seacoast: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.

16. Judges 2:6–3:6 shows what the Lord is doing in the time of the judges. How would you summarize what the Lord is doing during this time?

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Why was Israel so enticed by the religions around them? One reason was that the people spent so much time with Canaanites and got first familiar and then comfortable with Canaanite ways. They seemed normal, the kinds of things normal people do. If the people who live next door to you, who do business with you, practice child sacrifice and have promiscuous sex during their religious festivals, all of that becomes normal.

Today we have no command from God to physically attack the pagans next door. But we still need to resist the pull to see all of their practices as normal in the sense of "okay." We need to establish some separation from their culture — even more, we need a robust and winsome culture of our own — or we will increasingly blend in.

Judges 3:7–16:31 is the core of the book. It shows a repeating cycle of events patterned on what we saw in 2:6–3:6. While the details about each judge vary, the point of all the cycles is that the people remain unrepentant. Each time a judge dies, the people return to their sin.

These chapters describe six major judges with six minor ones interspersed. "The cycles of the twelve judges show that the judges could not lead the people into faithfulness to the covenant. There was a downward spiral of increasing disobedience."

The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord.... Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord (3:7,12). See also 2:11; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6; 13:1 for more examples of this refrain.

17. a. Reflect especially on the statements made about Israel in 3:7,12. What further significance do you see in these words?

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b. What specific sins of the people are mentioned in 3:7?

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c. In 3:8, what was God's specific response to the people's sin?

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They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs (3:7). See also 2:12; 8:33; 10:6,10; as well as the warning in Deuteronomy 4:23.

18. a. How does 3:8 reflect the pattern of God's actions first described in Judges 2:14-15?

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b. In 3:9, how did the people react to God's discipline?

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c. What did God specifically do for them?

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The anger of the Lord burned against Israel (3:8). The Lord is in charge of Israel's history. These are not random events.

Cushan-Rishathaim (3:8). The name means "Cushan of double wickedness."

Cried out (3:9). A wail of deep distress — misery, not repentance. Out of sheer grace, the Lord doesn't wait to see repentance before He responds to anguish.

Othniel (3:9). A relative of Caleb from the tribe of Judah. In 1:11-15 we saw his success as a warrior.

19. What important details about Othniel are given in 3:10? What impresses you most in Othniel's brief story (see 3:7-11)?

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The Spirit of the Lord came on him (3:10). The Spirit of God was the one who enabled judges to free their people. See 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6,19; 15:14. Despite the great failings of the people during the period of the judges, it was a time when God poured out His Spirit on a regular basis. This outpouring of the Spirit after the time of Joshua foreshadowed the outpouring of the Spirit after the time of Jesus' earthly ministry (the name Jesus is a variant of Joshua).

Peace (3:11). Or "rest" (ESV, NKJV). Rest was one of the blessings promised to those who were faithful to God's covenant. God gave it for a period of time after Othniel's victory, but the people squandered it through infidelity. See also 3:30; 5:31; 8:28.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from A Life-Changing Encounter with God's Word from the Book of Judges by The Navigators. Copyright © 2014 The Navigators. Excerpted by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

How to Use This Guide 5

Introduction: The Book of Judges: A Gripping Story of Tragic Decline 11

1 The Pattern Begins (Judges 1-3) 15

2 Deborah (Judges 4-5) 33

3 Gideon (Judges 6-8) 45

4 Abimelek and Others (Judges 9-10) 63

5 Jephthah (Judges 11-12) 77

6 Samson (Judges 13-16) 91

7 Idolatry and Crime (Judges 17-19) 111

8 Civil War (Judges 20-21) 123

Study Aids 137

Editorial Reviews

In Judges, we discover that no matter how far our sins take us, God will go farther to bring us back—again and again. The judges, despite their own sinfulness, were God’s chosen leaders. Repeatedly, the people of Israel drifted into blatant sin that provoked God’s discipline. But when they repented, God raised up judges to deliver them and call them back to Himself. As you study Judges, you will witness how deeply God loves even the worst of sinners.

LifeChange Series:
Christians have a lifelong goal: to become like Christ. This involves change, and change isn’t always easy. But the more you know of God’s purposes for you, the more you can experience His joy and participate in His plan.

The LifeChange series of Bible studies on books of the Bible can help you grow in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God’s Word. You’ll benefit in these important ways:

• You’ll gain a firm understanding of the book—its historical context, purpose, structure, and meaning.
• You’ll apply its powerful, relevant wisdom to needs and issues you are currently working through.
• You’ll acquire personal study skills and a thirst to return to the book on your own so you can keep going deeper into its life-transforming truths.

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