The Wild Wild East:Here Come the Judges!

The First “Libertarians”?

‘History is written by the victors’

Theme of Judges?

Is period of Judges “spun” by later biblical writers/ editors?

Judges 21:25 -- “In those days there was no king in Israel. Every man did the right in his own eyes.”

Revolution 1776

Constitution ratified 1789

in between, governed by ...

The American experience...

Articles of Confederation

Near three thousand years passed away, from the Mosaic account of the creation, till the Jews under a national delusion requested a king. Till then their form of government (except in extraordinary cases where the Almighty interposed) was a kind of Republic, administered by a judge and the elders of the tribes. Kings they had none, and it was held sinful to acknowledge any being under that title but the Lord of Hosts. And when a man seriously reflects on the idolatrous homage which is paid to the persons of kings, he need not wonder that the Almighty, ever jealous of his honour, should disapprove a form of government which so impiously invades the prerogative of Heaven.– Thomas Paine, Common Sense

keeping spirit of revolution -- Jefferson -- against ‘corrupt’ cosmopolitan society

“institutionalizing” -- Hamilton

Washington pretended to be neutral

concentration of power: hierarchical/ oppressive/ stratified

Tension between...

Washington:

avoid foreign entanglements

no standing army

raise militias when needed...

income tax? unthinkable!

Federal govt. vs. “states’ rights”Founding fathers looked to biblical model...

a government of laws, not men...

Franklin: “A republic, if you can keep it...”

Washington offered crown; refused...

Shophet (שופת) = “Deliverer”

None of the figures is actually called a judge. The name was applied because the text says so-and-so ‘judged’ Israel a certain number of years.

If the traditional date of the exodus is accepted (mid-13th century BCE) the tales of the judges would be set in the 12th & 11th centuries BCE.

The most significant challenge to Israel came from “Sea Peoples” - part of of a larger migration of people fleeing the Aegean. One of the groups - Philistines.

Needed unity to survive, since surrounded by kings of military might.

Israel often in disarray -- developed as people without central authority.

Also, intertribal rivalries -- no argument like family argument!

For 200 yrs., rejected idea of central state. In crisis, a leader -- shofet -- would arise, inspired by “spirit of Lord.” Led into battle, but not a king. Authority rested on personal qualities.

Pattern:

Apostacy

Oppression

Repentance

Deliverance

Egalitarian period - pre-monarchy

Around 1200 BCE, a king from Euphrates region named Cushan-Rishathaim engaged & was beaten back by Egyptians.

Sought consolation by pillaging Israel on his retreat.

A judge rises up -- Othniel, son of Kenaz -- “& the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, & he judged Israel & went out to war.” Rallies tribal army; king rushes home.

Probably early in 12th cent. BCE, Moabites conquered tribe of Reuven, & captured Jericho. Turned Benjamin into vassal tribe. At head of delegation of Benjamites who come to present annual tribute to King Eglon is Ehud son of Gera (Judg. 3:15). wears double-edged dagger, concealed on right side. Asks to have private word with king. Eglon is fat man, & Ehud thrusts dagger deep in belly. Attendants think King Eglon asleep; retreat quietly. Ehud heads for hills of Ephraim, blows shofar. “& the children of Israel went down with him.” Leaderless Moabites retreat across Jordan. Weapon -- dagger! symbol of liberation!

based on textual/ archaeological evidence...

Shamgar, son of Anath -- inspired by Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite -- smites the Philistines. (Jdg. 3:31).

31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad. And he also delivered Israel.

Around 1140 BCE, Canaanite kings (headed by Jabin of Hazor) assemble large army headed by 900 chariots in Jezreel Valley. Israel tribal militia headed by Barak & Deborah. Canaanite gen. -- Sisera -- gathers Canaanite chariots “At Taanach, by waters of Megiddo” (Judg. 5:19) & proceeds to Mt. Tabor.

Jabin had advantage in manpower & weaponry. But chariots couldn’t negotiate Mt. Tabor. Israel attacks on rainy day. Valley turns to mud; chariots mired & stuck. Kishon R. floods --prevents escape. “The wadi Kishon swept them away, that ancient wadi, the wadi Kishon” -- Song of Deborah.

Sisera abandons chariot -- flees to tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite. (Likely a priestess, revered by both Canaanites & Israel). Sisera seeks refuge in her sanctuary, but she is stirred by command from God...

Never again a serious threat to tribes of Israel Weapon -- rain --symbol of liberation!

Don’t know Deborah’s tribe; more important is portrayal as spiritual & military leader in Israel Deborah not only Israel woman to hold place of power.

Ques.: How unusual for woman to lead? Rare but not unprecedented in ancient world. Especially in Egypt women esteemed -- but not in Canaan! Israel “progressive”?

New threat -- nomadic marauders from desert -- Amalekites, Midianites, Bene Kedem, acting as tribal confederacy. Unlikely judge rises -- Gideon, son of Yoash, of tribe of Manasseh. Leads carefully picked force of 300 tribesmen. Climbs hills at night, by torchlight. Orders men to conceal torches within pitchers. Advance from 3 sides, blowing horns & breaking pitchers. Shout, “The sword for the Lord & for Gideon!” Marauders flee in panic -- trapped by Israel force -- stopped raiding Israel Weapons -- shofars, torches, & pitchers --symbols of liberation!

Attempt to make Gideon king: “I will not rule over you … the Lord shall rule over you.” But one of sons, Abimelech, makes himself king over Schechem. People rebel, & he burns city in battle. But is killed in battle for another city. Weapon -- stone tossed down by a woman -- symbol of liberation! Land not yet ready for a king.

Next threat -- Ammonites desire lands once captured by Moses... People appeal to Jephthah for help. “Spirit of Lord came upon Jephthah.” Vows that if he succeeds in battle vs. Ammonites, he’ll offer as burnt offering “whatever comes forth from the doors of my house to meet me.” Jephthat wins, returns, & “his daughter came out to meet him with timbrel & with dances; & she was his only child.” “He did with her according to the vow which he had vowed.” No further details. Hence, rabbinic injunctions vs. “rash vow.” Weapon -- a vow -- symbol of liberation, but also folly!

Next, powerful man from Dan rises to slay Philistines...

A Danite named Manoah has beautiful wife, but no kids! Angel appears -- she is to bear a son -- but he is to abstain from liquor & cutting hair -- Nazarite vow.

He is to be none other than ....

As young man, he falls in love with Philistine girl from Timnah -- asks parents to arrange marriage. They oppose, but he persists. One day Samson meets lion -- wrestles with animal & strangles with hands. Later, on another visit to Timnah, he sees that carcass has become infested with bee hives. During wedding feast, promises fine linen clothing to his companions if they can solve riddle: "Out of the eater came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet." They get wife to coax it out of him (cries, saying he doesn’t love her…). Friends return to Samson, saying, “What’s stronger than lion; sweeter than honey?” Samson, in anger, slays many Philistines; gives clothing to companions. Weapon -- jawbone of donkey -- symbol of liberation!

History, or ‘tall tales’?

also went to harlot named Delilah, who is bribed to find source of his strength. She “plays” him... She coaxes & he finally says if hair cut … So she cuts off hair. & he’s captured, blinded, & brought to Phil temple during festival. He prays one last time, gets strength back, & tears down central columns, bringing down whole temple & killing all.

Is this history?

Next, bloody war breaks out among tribes. Cause -- Benjamin wouldn’t surrender some of its members who had molested & murdered the concubine of another tribesman. Bereaved man cuts up her corpse -- sends part to tribes throughout land -- cry for justice. War declared vs. Benjamin. Benjamin almost wiped out in end. No judges in civil war! Weapons used vs. each other -- no liberation…

May have occurred at earlier period, because Benjamin was strong at end of period.

Picture of tribal league in disarray, to prepare us for coming of monarchy. Reflects general situation during per. of Judges: “No king in Israel; every man did right in own eyes.” (Jdg. 21: 25).

Total number of Judges mentioned is 12 -- one for each tribe!

Underlying all this is picture of uncertainties of life in Canaan during 12th& 11th cents. The league of 12 tribes survived nearly 200 yrs. -- no move to create unified state. Monarchy -- prevalent in Canaan -- anathema to Israel. Elohim bilvad moshel b’amo!

So let it be written...

So let it be done!