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Judges: Real World Faith

Idolatry’s Snare (Judges 2:6-3:6)

Idolatry’s Snare (Judges 2:6-3:6)

In Judges 1, we read of the tribes of Israel resuming the conquest of Canaan after the death of their leader, Joshua. We saw things seeming to work out well on the surface, with Israel taking possession of some of the lands. But as we looked closer, we saw Israel’s disobedience and failure to trust in God’s promise to deliver, resulting in their failed conquest and God’s curse that they will not drive out the inhabitants of the land.

The narrative restarts, and we have a second introduction to Judges. The focus shifts from Israel’s military campaign, to the state of their relationship with God and the cyclical pattern that recurs throughout the book of Judges. The text ends just before the introduction of the first three judges.

Giving Up Halfway (Judges 1:1-2:5)

Giving Up Halfway (Judges 1:1-2:5)

In Judges, the people repeatedly rebelled, turn away from God, God is angered and allows the enemies to oppress them; the people cry out; God raises a judge to deliver them; there is peace and the pattern repeats itself. 

And it gets worse each time. It is a dark book about how the people of God repeatedly turn away from Him and sin. 

We also see repeatedly how this God is a holy God who loves His people. He graciously and repeatedly raises a judge each time to save His people. This is a tension that is repeated raised and not resolved in the judges, not when they get a king and is only resolved when Christ comes.