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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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INTRODUCTIONS TO
THE BOOK JUDGES Introduction,
5/29/13 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE TITLE A. The title of “Judges” (Shophetim)
comes from the Hebrew word shaphat used
some twenty one times in the book of Judges (Jdg 2:16, 17, 18, 19; 3:10; 4:4; 10:2, 3; 11:27; 12:7, 8, 9, 11, 13,
14; 15:20; 16:31). In the LXX, the Greek word is Kritai
(kritēs - sg) and in Latin it is Liber Judicum. B. The word “judge” in Judges is not
equivalent to our 21st Cent. idea of “Judge” as a mere legal
arbitrator but is expanded to include governmental authority and military
leadership. C. In fact, the ideas of deliverer or savior
seem a better description. The Hebrew root yasha is used some twenty
one times and refers to one who delivers, rescues, or saves (Jdg 2:16,18;
3:9, 15, 31; 6:14, 15, 31, 36; 7:2, 7; 8:22; 10:1, 12, 13, 14; 12:2, 3;
13:5). It is the same root for Yeshua, the Hebrew name for Jesus. D. It is a fitting title to the describe
twelve of the ruling judges under the Ultimate Judge in the book of Judges
(Jdg 11:27). II. AUTHORSHIP, DATE, AND SCOPE A. As far as internal evidence goes, there is
no clue as to the author of Judges. External evidence in the Talmud (Tractate Baba Bathra 14b) identifies Samuel as the author of Judges, Ruth, and
Samuel. Though there is no sure reliance, it seems to harmonize with 1Sa
10:35, “Samuel… wrote them in the book.” B. Since the Jebusites were in control of
Jerusalem (Jdg 1:21) it predates David’s capture of the city (2Sa 5:6-7, 1004
BC). The writing also predates any king of Israel, including Saul (Jdg 17:6
cf. 1Sa 11:15, 1043 BC). It appears that it was written sometime between 1040
and 1020 BC (Samuel’s death,1021 BC). C. The span of Joshua covers about 35 years
of Israel’s history, whereas Judges covers a longer period. The scope of the
book of Judges begins sometime after the death of Joshua (Jdg 1:1) and ends
before the reign of Eli and Samuel (1Sa 1:9). In spite of imprecise dating
and possible overlapping, Judges covers about a span of about 300yrs. III. BACKGROUND A. Judges follows the book and history given
in Joshua. Israel had conquered many enemies in the land of promise, but a
familiar lethargy came to the forefront. This lethargy was not simply in a
military and political sense but particularly in a spiritual sense. B. The book records six periods of judges who
were raised up by God to lead Israel, but to no avail (#1 - Othniel (3:7-11), #2 - Ehud and Shamgar (3:12-31), #3 - Deborah (4:1-5:31), #4 -
Gideon, Tola and Jair (6:1-10:5), #5 - Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon
(10:6-12:15), #6 - Samson (13:1-16:31). C. During these periods, a series of patterns
for Israel are outlined in Judges (specifically Jdg 2:10-3:6) and continued
to characterize Israel’s future (#1 - Israel’s Sin, #2 - God’s Discipline, #3
- Israel’s Supplication, #4 God’s Deliverance). IV. PURPOSE A. There are numerous and varied purposes why
God has given the book of Judges. B. First, God’s purpose is always to reveal
the truth. Judges gives a true picture of Israel’s (mankind’s) natural
inclination away from God and the consequences it brings. C. Secondly, God reveals Himself in Judges
and we see His attribute as a faithful covenant-keeping God. D. Thirdly, it is reveals that man must
follow God and His Word for divine blessing, not his natural inclinations. E. Fourthly, not only does God alone provide
salvation, but He especially provides it in the Ultimate Savior and Judge,
the Lord Jesus Christ. F. Fifthly, we see the preservation of the
nation Israel in spite of its disobedience and failures. V. THEME A. Though many themes run through Judges, an
unfortunate repetitious theme is recorded in the words, they “did evil in the
sight of the Lord” (Jdg 2:11; 3:7, 12;
4:1; 6:1; 10:6; 13:1). When man follows his natural inclinations he is not
only being foolish, but he is in danger of the spiritual consequences that
accompany such an attitude. B. Along this vein are the concluding words
in Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did
what was right in his own eyes” (cf. De 12:8; Jdg 17:6; Pr 3:5-7; 12:15;
14:12; 16:2, 25; Ec 11:9; Ga 6:3 cf. Ge 3:5). VI. OUTLINE
PERILS OF NATURAL INCLINATION I. PATTERN OF ISRAEL’S DISOBEDIENCE (1:1-3-6) A. Israel’s Failures at Conquest (1:1-36) B. Israel’s Disobedience (2:1-5) C. Israel’s Pattern of Sin, Servitude,
Supplication, and Salvation (2:6-3:6) (2:11) II. PERIODS OF ISRAEL’S DELIVERERS (3:7-16:31) A. First Period (40yrs): Othniel Against Mesopotamians
(3:7-11) (3:7) B. Second Period (80yrs): Ehud and
Shamgar Against Moabites (3:12-31) (3:12) 1. Ehud (3:12-30) 2. Shamgar (3:31) C. Third Period (40yrs): Deborah Against Canaanites
(4:1-5:31) (4:1) 1. Deborah and Barak (4:1-24) 2. The Song of Deborah (5:1-31) D. Fourth Period (85yrs): Gideon, Tola, and Jair Against
Midianites (6:1-10:5) (6:1) 1. Gideon’s Call (6:1-27) 2. Gideon Destruction of Baal (6:28-35) 3. Gideon’s Fleece (6:36-40) 4. Gideon’s Small Army (7:1-25) 5. Gideon’s Triumph (8:1-21) 6. Gideon’s Idolatry and Death (8:22-35) 7. Abimelech’s Monarchy (9:1-21) 8. Abimelech’s Downfall (9:22-57) 9. Tola (10:1-2) 10. Jair (10:3-5) E. Fifth Period (31yrs): Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon
Against Philistines and Ammonites (10:6-12:15) (10:6) 1. Jephthah’s Vow (11:29-33) 2. Jephthah’s Daughter (11:34-40) 3. Ibzan (12:8-10) 4. Elon (12:11-12) 5. Abdon (12:13-15) F. Sixth Period (20yrs): Samson Against Philistines
(13:1-16:31) (13:1) 1. Samson’s Birth (13:1-25) 2. Samson’s Marriage (14:1-20) 3. Samson’s Defeats Philistines (15:1-20) 4. Samson’s and Delilah (16:1-22) 5. Samson’s Death (16:23-31) III. POSTSCRIPT OF ISRAEL’S DEEDS (17:1-21:25) A. The Idolatry of Micah (17:1-13) B. The Apostasy of the Danites (18:1-31) C. The Immorality of Gibeah (19:1-30) D. The Civil War (20:1-21:24) E. The Postscript (21:25) |
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