0744. The Story of the Judges

The Story of the Judges

"And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim" (Jdg_2:11).

The 1st chapter of Judges gives the victories of various tribes as they established themselves in the land of their inheritance.

The 2d chapter is refreshing in the statement of Jdg_2:7 : "The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that He did for Israel."

The 2d chapter begins with Jdg_2:10, to tell of the succeeding generation and of their doing evil in the sight of the Lord. The whole Book of Judges gives the ebb and the flow of the tide of Israel’s wanderings and returns.

1. Chapter 2 gives us a resume of the whole dealings of God, under the judges. It is well worth noting:

1. Israel sinned (see Jdg_2:11-13).

2. Israel was delivered to spoilers (see Jdg_2:14-18).

3. Israel cried and God sent them a judge to deliver them from their spoilers (see Jdg_2:15-16).

4. Israel sinned yet again (see Jdg_2:19).

2. Observe some of the examples that followed the same order of events as set forth above:

5. Chapter Jdg_3:7-11–Israel sinned; Israel was delivered into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim; Israel cried unto the Lord, and Othniel was raised up to deliver them.

6. Chapter Jdg_3:11-30–Israel sinned; Israel was delivered into the hands of the Moabites; Israel cried unto the Lord, and Ehud was raised up to deliver them.

7. Chapter 4–Israel sinned; Israel was delivered into the hands of Sisera; Israel cried unto the Lord and Barak was raised up to deliver them.

8. Chapter 6–Israel sinned; Israel was delivered into the hands of the Midianites; Israel cried unto the Lord and Gideon was raised up to deliver them.

The above was the general course of events that followed poor backsliding Israel during the whole of the period of the judges, as Abimelech, Tolah, Jephthah, Samson, and others ruled.

It should be remembered that all of these things happened unto them for types and that they are written for our admonition upon whom the end of the ages are come. The same subtle serpent, the dragon, called the devil and satan, is still going about seeking whom he may devour. He is still active. With his added resources and experiences he is exerting tremendous energy in endeavoring to turn the Church of God and all believers from their fidelity to God.

The story of the judges gives many a glorious burst of sunshine as a weeping and repentant people returned to their God and were graciously received. But, alas, there appear more shadows; for even some of the deliverers were, themselves, corrupted; and Israel’s perfidy and fickleness is so plainly manifested, that one almost marvels that God would, time and again, forgive and deliver them.

Satan did his best, and satan’s best is no small matter. But God always came to the rescue and with loving kindness He led His chosen ones, luring them to paths of righteousness, and giving added strength to them whenever they sought His face.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR