The book of Judges details the corruption and downward spiral of Israel's judges, but this brutal history still offers future hope for Israel. Israel abandons God and becomes completely corrupt in the land. What happens when Israel forgets their God? The book of Judges shows Israel's tragic downward spiral.
#1 - TITLE
Judges was the title given to the book in the Hebrew OT as well as in the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate.
The Hebrew title of the book is Shophetim meaning “judges.” The word not only carries the idea of maintaining justice and settling disputes but can also have the meaning “liberators” and “deliverer.”
Some scholars hold that two types of leaders are combined in the book: tribal military heroes and city or district rulers. According to this, the great judges are Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson were military heroes and the minor ones Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon.
Both types can be included under the Hebrew word “Judges” because God’s spirit was believed to be guided both the warriors and the magistrates of Israel.
#2 - AUTHORSHIP
The author of the Judges is anonymous, but Samuel or one of his prophetic students may have written it.
Jewish tradition contained in the Talmud attributes Judges to Samuel, because he was the crucial link between the period of Judges and the period of kings.
It is likely that Samuel or one of his contemporaries compiled the book from oral or written sources.
#3 - CONTENT
The book opens with a description of Israel's deterioration, continues with seven cycles of oppression and deliverance and concludes with two vivid examples of Israel's depravity.
The repeated deliverances by God are described in the middle section of the book (3:5-16:31) which presents seven cycle of apostasy.
Apostasy-----Oppression-----Cry for deliverance-----Salvation-----Rest
#4 - LITERARY FORMS
The book of Judges is organized primarily along thematic rather than chronological.
This is the interesting book with some dramatic stories of the OT and one of the oldest folk songs – the song of Deborah.
#5 - THEMES
The spirit of the Lord
The spirit of the lord plays a prominent role in the book of Judges. It was under his power that several of the judges accomplished their tasks.
It was demonstrated that the Lord was at work and ultimately responsible for the deliverance brought by a judge.
Israel understood that the spirit of the Lord as an extension of YHWH’s power and authority.
The Nature of Charismatic Leadership
These judges were not elected or inherited their office but God raised them to deliver Israel. The task of the judge was to be a deliverer.
The most prominent tasks undertaken by the judges were military in nature; in other sense the judge were establishing justice for the Israelites who were oppressed by other people.
OUTLINE
Judges 1:1-3:6 – problems of Incomplete Conquest noted
Judges 3:7-16:31 – Rule of Judges
Judges 17:1-18:31 – Migration of the tribe of Dan
Judges 19:1-21:25 – Civil war with the tribe of Benjamin
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