User:RobertC/OT Lesson 19
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
Lesson 19: The Reign of the Judges
Judg 2; Judg 4; Judg 6-7; Judg 13-16
Overview
- Conquering of lands, but some Canaanites remain. In Joshua, we read about the Israelites conquered much of the promised land. In Judges we read about various tribes conquering more lands, but not not driving out the Canaanites as commanded (cf. Judg 2:2). God ceases to preserve Israel as a result.
- Reign of judges. After Joshua died, Israel was not united under a single leader until the days of the prophet Samuel and King Saul. During this interval, 12 judges served as Israel’s rulers and military leaders. Most of their reign was tragic as Israel went through the cycle of apostasy, bondage, repentance, and delivery many times.
- Positive examples. Offsetting the tragic parts of this history are stories of people who remained true, setting powerful examples of how to exercise faith and courage in an apostate world. Deborah and Gideon were both righteous judges whom the Lord raised up to deliver Israel. Deborah’s faith was largely responsible for delivering Israel from a Canaanite army. Gideon’s reliance on the Lord allowed his 300-man army to miraculously defeat the Midianites.
Pride Cycle: Judg 2
- Forgetting God.
- God's wrath/jealousy. See commentary for Judg 2:13-14.
