The Book of JudgesThe Book of JudgesOld Testament Bible StudiesOld Testament Bible StudiesTrue Love Church of RefugeTrue Love Church of RefugeProphetess Delisa LindseyProphetess Delisa Lindsey

April 1, 2009April 1, 2009

IntroductionIntroduction The Book of Judges picks up where Joshua left off. The Book of Judges picks up where Joshua left off. Israel is experiencing a season of rest until the Israel is experiencing a season of rest until the

leaders who served with Joshua died.leaders who served with Joshua died. The Israelites relaxed in their commitment to the The Israelites relaxed in their commitment to the

Lord and neglected to drive out the remaining Lord and neglected to drive out the remaining Canaanites as He commanded.Canaanites as He commanded.

They forced the inhabitants into slavery, refused They forced the inhabitants into slavery, refused to attack enemy strongholds, intermarried, and to attack enemy strongholds, intermarried, and adopted pagan gods and customs.adopted pagan gods and customs.

The Book of Judges traces the spiritual and The Book of Judges traces the spiritual and political decay of the Israelites.political decay of the Israelites.

The theme of this book is ‘Spiritual Apostasy’.The theme of this book is ‘Spiritual Apostasy’.

Introduction, Cont’d.Introduction, Cont’d.

The “Judges” in this book were charismatic leaders who The “Judges” in this book were charismatic leaders who led rebellions against Israel’s oppressors and also led rebellions against Israel’s oppressors and also served as spiritual and political leaders of the nation or served as spiritual and political leaders of the nation or several of its territories.several of its territories.

The Judges exercised their offices comparable to the The Judges exercised their offices comparable to the government we have today; legislative, executive, and government we have today; legislative, executive, and judicial.judicial.

They were actually considered heroes more so than They were actually considered heroes more so than legal figures.legal figures.

The Judges were empowered and raised up by God to The Judges were empowered and raised up by God to deliver His people and execute judgment on their deliver His people and execute judgment on their oppressors.oppressors.

Joshua vs. JudgesJoshua vs. Judges Judges is the exact opposite of Joshua in that under Judges is the exact opposite of Joshua in that under

Joshua’s leadership, Israel was strictly obedient to Joshua’s leadership, Israel was strictly obedient to the commands of the Law and won every battle.the commands of the Law and won every battle.

On the contrary, in Judges, Israel neglected the Law, On the contrary, in Judges, Israel neglected the Law, compromised with her enemies, tolerated them, compromised with her enemies, tolerated them, and co-existed with them.and co-existed with them.

The victorious conquests in Joshua were replaced by The victorious conquests in Joshua were replaced by incomplete settlement of conquered territory and incomplete settlement of conquered territory and lack of ‘real’ leadership.lack of ‘real’ leadership.

Joshua led troops of spiriutally and morally strong Joshua led troops of spiriutally and morally strong soldiers, while througout Judges, the people soldiers, while througout Judges, the people abandoned their one and only true God for dumb abandoned their one and only true God for dumb pagan idols and married foreigners.pagan idols and married foreigners.

They ordained improper priests and held private They ordained improper priests and held private worship ceremonies.worship ceremonies.

The moral code was so low that lying, stealing, The moral code was so low that lying, stealing, murder, and adultery were tolerated and condoned.murder, and adultery were tolerated and condoned.

Five Cycles of CharacteristicsFive Cycles of Characteristics

Sin- Israel abandons Sin- Israel abandons God and turns to God and turns to pagan idols.pagan idols.

Servitude- God Servitude- God permits the enemy to permits the enemy to enslave and His enslave and His people.people.

Supplication- Israel Supplication- Israel becomes desperate becomes desperate and turns to God and turns to God confessing their sins confessing their sins and begging for help.and begging for help.

Salvation- in the form Salvation- in the form of the ‘Judge’ who of the ‘Judge’ who defeats the oppressordefeats the oppressor

Silence- a period of Silence- a period of rest during which the rest during which the Judge helps Israel Judge helps Israel remain faithful to the remain faithful to the Lord.Lord.

Meet the Seven Cycles of JudgesMeet the Seven Cycles of Judges Othniel – the first judge whose story first reveals the Othniel – the first judge whose story first reveals the

cyclical pattern (3:7-11).cyclical pattern (3:7-11). Ehud – brought Israel peace for 2 generations (80 years) Ehud – brought Israel peace for 2 generations (80 years)

(3:12-31).(3:12-31). Deborah (honeybee) wife of Lapidoth (the lamp) – only Deborah (honeybee) wife of Lapidoth (the lamp) – only

female judge whose bold leadership inspired General Barak female judge whose bold leadership inspired General Barak to win a great victory (4-5).to win a great victory (4-5).

Gideon – a reluctant warrior whose increasing faith was Gideon – a reluctant warrior whose increasing faith was demonstrated by God discharging the host of his army to demonstrated by God discharging the host of his army to defeat the Midianites (6-8).defeat the Midianites (6-8).

Tola and Jair – two judges who have no mighty deeds Tola and Jair – two judges who have no mighty deeds recorded (8:33-10:5).recorded (8:33-10:5).

Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon were raised up to defeat the Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon were raised up to defeat the Ammonites (10:6-12:15). Jephthah was considered an Ammonites (10:6-12:15). Jephthah was considered an outcast who returned Israel to lead them into personally outcast who returned Israel to lead them into personally costly victory.costly victory.

Samson – a judge with gifted physical strength but moral Samson – a judge with gifted physical strength but moral weakness. He failed to deliver his people although he killed weakness. He failed to deliver his people although he killed many of their enemies(13-16).many of their enemies(13-16).

Who is the Author?!?Who is the Author?!?

Rabbinic tradition holds to the conclusion Rabbinic tradition holds to the conclusion that Samuel, the Prophet wrote the book that Samuel, the Prophet wrote the book of Judges. of Judges.

It is believed that Samuel, inspired by the It is believed that Samuel, inspired by the Holy Spirit recorded all the events Holy Spirit recorded all the events recorded in Judges. Moses, the author of recorded in Judges. Moses, the author of the Pentateuch (Five Books of Moses or the Pentateuch (Five Books of Moses or the Torah), has also received historical the Torah), has also received historical accounts by prophetic revelation.accounts by prophetic revelation.

Samuel is the last Judge and first male Samuel is the last Judge and first male prophet to Israel since Moses.prophet to Israel since Moses.

Political Problems in the Political Problems in the Days of the JudgesDays of the Judges

Judges 1:1-36Judges 1:1-36

Judges 1:1-4Judges 1:1-4 After Joshua’s death, the question After Joshua’s death, the question

was asked, “Who will go up to was asked, “Who will go up to fight against the Canaanites?”fight against the Canaanites?”

The Lord instructs Judah (thanks, The Lord instructs Judah (thanks, gratitude and praise) to go up to gratitude and praise) to go up to war against the Canaanites. He war against the Canaanites. He said, “He has given the land into said, “He has given the land into their hands.”their hands.”

Judah and Simeon (to hear or be Judah and Simeon (to hear or be heard) allied themselves to war heard) allied themselves to war against the Canaanites.against the Canaanites.

Simeon was not assigned a Simeon was not assigned a specific territory of their own, specific territory of their own, they were allowed to settle in the they were allowed to settle in the portion belonging to Judah. The portion belonging to Judah. The two tribes were virtually two tribes were virtually inseperable.inseperable.

When Judah attacked, the Lord When Judah attacked, the Lord gave the Canaanites and the gave the Canaanites and the Perizittes into their hands. Perizittes into their hands.

They struck down 10,000 men at They struck down 10,000 men at Bezek.Bezek.

Judges 1:5-8Judges 1:5-8 While capturing the Canaanite While capturing the Canaanite

and the Perizzites, the men and the Perizzites, the men discovered Adoni-Bezek (lord discovered Adoni-Bezek (lord of Bezek) and fought against of Bezek) and fought against him. The captured and brought him. The captured and brought him to Jerusalem and cut off him to Jerusalem and cut off his big toes and his thumbs.his big toes and his thumbs.

Previously Adoni-bezek had Previously Adoni-bezek had captured seventy kings and cut captured seventy kings and cut their big toes and thumbs off their big toes and thumbs off and forced them into slavery.and forced them into slavery.

He realized that the Lord He realized that the Lord repaid him for his grotesque repaid him for his grotesque deeds. deeds.

He died in Jerusalem.He died in Jerusalem. The men of Judah attacked The men of Judah attacked

Jerusalem, captured it, killed Jerusalem, captured it, killed with the sword and burned it with the sword and burned it with fire.with fire.

Because Judah did not occupy Because Judah did not occupy Jerusalem, the escapee Jerusalem, the escapee Jebusites returned to rebuild Jebusites returned to rebuild and retained it as a stronghold and retained it as a stronghold until the time of David, 400 until the time of David, 400 years later.years later.

Why did the tribes cut off Adoni-Why did the tribes cut off Adoni-bezek’s thumbs and big toes?bezek’s thumbs and big toes?

Although a strange notion, this was a very Although a strange notion, this was a very specific military strategy used in the Near specific military strategy used in the Near East when arresting enemies. East when arresting enemies.

Physical mutilation disqualified an Physical mutilation disqualified an applicant from religious or political office.applicant from religious or political office.

It also rendered a person militarily It also rendered a person militarily impotent. A person cannot handle a impotent. A person cannot handle a weapon effectively without his thumb. weapon effectively without his thumb.

Judah followed the ways of their Judah followed the ways of their transgressors.transgressors.

Judges 1:9-13Judges 1:9-13 Caleb then led the Judean army Caleb then led the Judean army

to conquer Hebron, which he in to conquer Hebron, which he in turn made the capital of Judah.turn made the capital of Judah.

It was home of the former giants, It was home of the former giants, the Anakims.the Anakims.

It was Caleb’s assigned territory It was Caleb’s assigned territory (Joshua 15), and it was the burial (Joshua 15), and it was the burial place of their fathers.place of their fathers.

Caleb then turned his attention Caleb then turned his attention to Debir.to Debir.

Caleb made a challenge offering Caleb made a challenge offering his daughter to the man who his daughter to the man who would conquer and capture would conquer and capture Kirjath-sephir (Debir).Kirjath-sephir (Debir).

Othniel, Caleb’s nephew took the Othniel, Caleb’s nephew took the challenge, took the city, and took challenge, took the city, and took Acsah to wife.Acsah to wife.

Judges 1:14-15Judges 1:14-15The Wise Wife and her Hero HusbandThe Wise Wife and her Hero Husband

Acsah urged her new Acsah urged her new husband to to ask her husband to to ask her father, Caleb for a field.father, Caleb for a field.

Her father granted her and Her father granted her and Othniel the land in Negev. Othniel the land in Negev.

The land they inherited The land they inherited was parched, scorched and was parched, scorched and infertile. Therefore she infertile. Therefore she requested springs of water. requested springs of water.

Caleb gave her the upper Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. and lower springs.

Those same springs water Those same springs water the land of Hebron to this the land of Hebron to this day.day.

Judges 1:16-19Judges 1:16-19 The Kenites, Moses’ in-The Kenites, Moses’ in-

laws, went up from Jericho laws, went up from Jericho (city of palm trees) to live (city of palm trees) to live with the men of Judah near with the men of Judah near Othniel.Othniel.

Judah and Simeon allied Judah and Simeon allied together again against the together again against the Canaanites in Zephath and Canaanites in Zephath and totally destroyed the city. totally destroyed the city. The renamed it Hormah The renamed it Hormah (devotion to destruction).(devotion to destruction).

The men also took three The men also took three other cities along with their other cities along with their territories; Gaza, Ashkelon, territories; Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron.and Ekron.

The Lord was with the men The Lord was with the men as they drove the natives as they drove the natives from the hill country.from the hill country.

Judges 1:19Judges 1:19The Iron ChariotsThe Iron Chariots

The allied forces of Judah and The allied forces of Judah and Simeon could not drive out the Simeon could not drive out the natives in the plains because their natives in the plains because their enemies utilized iron chariots.enemies utilized iron chariots.

Their chariots represented military Their chariots represented military strength and superiority. Instead of strength and superiority. Instead of calling on the Lord for greater calling on the Lord for greater grace, they failed to complete their grace, they failed to complete their mission and abandoned the mission and abandoned the conquest.conquest.

The Lord was demonstrating to the The Lord was demonstrating to the tag-teaming brothers that they tag-teaming brothers that they needed to sharpen their military needed to sharpen their military skills.skills.

The chariots of Canaan were The chariots of Canaan were sturdier than those of the Egyptians sturdier than those of the Egyptians (lightweight vehicles used to carry (lightweight vehicles used to carry archers). They used three man archers). They used three man chariots made of iron with blades chariots made of iron with blades attached to the wheels.attached to the wheels.

Spiritually chariots are any Spiritually chariots are any overwhelming challenge that we overwhelming challenge that we may flee from in fear, but can may flee from in fear, but can overcome by faith and confidence overcome by faith and confidence in God.in God.

Judges 1:20-22Judges 1:20-22 Hebron was given to Caleb Hebron was given to Caleb

who had driven away the who had driven away the three sons of Anak (giants).three sons of Anak (giants).

The Benjamites were The Benjamites were unable to drive away the unable to drive away the Jebusites who rebuilt Jebusites who rebuilt Jerusalem, therefore the Jerusalem, therefore the initial victory Judah won initial victory Judah won over Jerusalem was lost.over Jerusalem was lost.

Until the time of David, Until the time of David, Jerusalem remained a Jerusalem remained a stronghold.stronghold.

The Lord strengthened the The Lord strengthened the house of Joseph (West house of Joseph (West Manessah and Ephraim) to Manessah and Ephraim) to attack Bethel (Luz). Jacob attack Bethel (Luz). Jacob named it Bethel (house of named it Bethel (house of bread) in Gen. 28:19.bread) in Gen. 28:19.

Judges 1:23-26Judges 1:23-26 When the house of Joseph When the house of Joseph

sent spies out to Bethel, sent spies out to Bethel, they captured a man they they captured a man they saw leaving the city. saw leaving the city.

They told him, “Show us They told him, “Show us the city and we will see the city and we will see that you are treated well.” that you are treated well.” Sound familiar? Rahab.Sound familiar? Rahab.

They put the city to the They put the city to the sword but spared the man sword but spared the man and his family. and his family.

The escapee later The escapee later migrated north and migrated north and established a new and established a new and unknown city by the old unknown city by the old name, Luz.name, Luz.

Index of Unoccupied TerritoryIndex of Unoccupied TerritoryJudges 1:27-36Judges 1:27-36

This chapter ends with the sad This chapter ends with the sad account of incomplete settlements account of incomplete settlements in the land of Canaan by various in the land of Canaan by various Israelite tribes. Although the land Israelite tribes. Although the land

was totally under control in was totally under control in Joshua’s name, but the tribes were Joshua’s name, but the tribes were either unwilling or unable to bring either unwilling or unable to bring

their territories under total their territories under total settlement to prevent the enemy settlement to prevent the enemy

from returning and rebuilding.from returning and rebuilding.

Judges 1:27-30Judges 1:27-30 West Manasseh could not drive West Manasseh could not drive

out the people of Beth Shan, out the people of Beth Shan, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo and their surrounding and their surrounding settlements. The Canaanites settlements. The Canaanites built up a strong resistance and built up a strong resistance and separated the central tribes separated the central tribes from the northern tribes.from the northern tribes.

Rather than force the natives Rather than force the natives out, the Israelites forced them out, the Israelites forced them into slavery when they into slavery when they acquired military might to over acquired military might to over take their enemies. take their enemies.

Ephraim could not drive out the Ephraim could not drive out the Gezers, but allowed them to Gezers, but allowed them to dwell among them.dwell among them.

Zebulun could not drive out the Zebulun could not drive out the natives of Kitron nor Nahalol, natives of Kitron nor Nahalol, but forced them into slavery.but forced them into slavery.

Judges 1:31-33Judges 1:31-33 Asher was unable to drive Asher was unable to drive

out the inhabitants of Acco, out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon (Zidon – a famous Sidon (Zidon – a famous Phoenician city), Ahlab, Phoenician city), Ahlab, Aczib, Helbah, Aphek, or Aczib, Helbah, Aphek, or Rehob.Rehob.

Even during the time of Even during the time of David and Solomon, the David and Solomon, the Israelites were unable to Israelites were unable to conquer Phoenicia but conquer Phoenicia but maintained friendly ties maintained friendly ties with them (Jezebel’s with them (Jezebel’s hometown).hometown).

Naphtali could not drive out Naphtali could not drive out those living in Beth-those living in Beth-Shemesh (house of the sun) Shemesh (house of the sun) or Beth Anath (house of or Beth Anath (house of anath) (centers of anath) (centers of Canaanite worship), but Canaanite worship), but forced them into slavery forced them into slavery and lived among them.and lived among them.

Judges 1:34Judges 1:34 The worst report of all The worst report of all

tribes comes from Dan tribes comes from Dan who allows the who allows the Amorites to confine Amorites to confine them to the hills and them to the hills and would not allow them would not allow them to come down to the to come down to the valley.valley.

Eventually they were Eventually they were unable to control any unable to control any of their territory and of their territory and migrated far north for migrated far north for safety.safety.

Ironically, Samson, the Ironically, Samson, the strongest man, came strongest man, came from the weakest tribe!from the weakest tribe!

Judges 1:35-36Judges 1:35-36

The Amorites held the The Amorites held the territories of Mount territories of Mount Heres (mountian of Heres (mountian of the sun god), Aijalon, the sun god), Aijalon, and Shaalbim until the and Shaalbim until the house of Joseph forced house of Joseph forced them into slavery.them into slavery.

The Amorites once The Amorites once controlled the territory controlled the territory of the Northern of the Northern Mesopotamian Valley.Mesopotamian Valley.

Judges Chapter 2 -3Judges Chapter 2 -3April 15, 2009April 15, 2009

*April 8, 2009*April 8, 2009 Resurrection Bible Quiz Resurrection Bible Quiz

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