OVERVIEW OF JUDGES
OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF JUDGES
The book of Judges continues with the history of Israel, starting from the death of Joshua up to a
period just a few generations before Israel’s first earthly king.
A. It lasted roughly 380 years (based on I Kings 6:1 which says it was 480 years from the
Exodus to the building of the temple).
B. Unlike the time under Moses and Joshua, there was no single leader or government of
Israel - Judges 21:25. Instead, each tribe managed its own territory and at times aided
neighboring tribes
The name of the book of Judges is derived from the leading characters in the book called Judges.
These people were more “saviors” in leading the people into conflict. God raised up theses
people for His purposes. (Judges 3:9-10). This book continues the history of Israel under these
judges. Characteristics of this period is a time when “every man did that which was right in his
own eyes” (Jdgs. 17:6 and 22:25). This book demonstrates what happens when men do what
they think, instead of what God says.
CYCLES OF SIN- REPEATED 15 TIMES IN THE BOOK. Common to the period of each of
these 15 judges is what happens when Israel departs from God. We see this Cycle: SIN-
OPPRESSION- REPENTANCE AND DELIVERANCE BY A JUDGE. Because Israel had not
done as God told them in utterly destroying and running off all of the nations from their
Promised land but had instead sought to allow some of them to continue in the land, these
nations continued to plague the people over and over. Failure to do as God had said in totally
annihilating the influence of these nations, resulted in Idolatry and sinful practices continuing
among his people and eventually influencing Israel to partake in those sins instead of giving God
their total allegiance, loyalty and hatred for idolatry. Remember that God had said “you shall
have no other gods before ME and you shall not make unto you any graven images. Israel
continued during this period and ensuing times, to battle idolatry (both externally and internally).
This book also underscores the LONGSUFFERING OF GOD WITH HIS PEOPLE. In spite of
their continued, persistence in departing from Him, His ear was still open to them when they
would repent. When they did, He was eager and ready to deliver them. God’s ear is open to the
pleas of His people today, when we repent, He is willing to forgive. But we cannot trifle with
God, nor could they. God has His limits and one day he will come again rendering vengeance on
the heathen and unfaithful.
The first 12 judges seem to be chronological, but the last 5 may have occurred simultaneous with
some of the other 5. The judges were picked by God to deliver the people from their sins. God
was willing to forgive but their forgiveness would demand action on their part, to not only be
sorry for their sins, but to drive out that sin from among themselves.
THE JUDGES ARE AS FOLLOWS- OTHNIEL-EHUD-SHAMGAR-DEBORAH- GIDEON-
ABIMELECH (NOT INCLUDED BY SOME BECAUSE HE APPOINTED HIMSELF KING),
TOLA, JAIR, JEPTHATH, IBZON, ELON, ABDON, SAMSON, ELI AND SAMUEL.
THE OVERALL OUTLINE:
CHAPTER 1:1-3:6- The conditions of this period
1:1- 2:5- Unconquered areas. The people had not done their job in driving out the inhabitants
of the land totally which led to what the book deals with. FAILURE TO DRIVE OUT SIN
TOTALLY FROM OUT LIVES LEAVES OPPORTUNITY FOR IT TO TAKE ROOT AGAIN.
Much like a weed that keeps coming back when the root is not destroyed.
2:6-3:6- Recurring Cycles
JUDGES AND OPPRESSING NATIONS
Othniel- Repulses Mesopotamia (3:7-11)
Ehud- breaks Moabite Oppression (3:12-30)
Shamgar- repulses the Philistines (3:31)
Deborah along with Barak- break Canaanite power- 4:1-5:31)
Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) expels the Midianites (6:1-8:35)
Abimelech, Tola and Jair judge Israel against various oppressors. (9:1-10:5)
Jephthah defeats the Ammonites (1:6- 12:7)
Ibzan, Elon and Abdon judge Israel (12:8-15)
Samson tempers Philistine control (13:1-16:31)
Eli and Samuel fulfill different roles as both judges and priests. In each case their sons do not
behave as they should although their fathers are godly men. In Eli’s case, he is also held
accountable because he “refused to restrain” his sons. This is a LARGE WARNING TO ALL
PARENTS TO BE CAREFUL TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN HOUSE, WHILE YOU ARE
CARING FOR YOUR BRETHREN.
CULTURAL CONDITIONS OF THE TIME PERIOD
MICAH’S IDOLATRY- 17:1-13
THE MIGRATION OF THE DANITES- 18:1-31
CRIME AND CIVIL WAR- 19:1-21:25
RESULTS OF PERIOD OF ANARCHY - Judges 17-21
1. False religion was started and is supported by Dan - Judges 17-18
a. The story shows how superstitious the people had become
2. Homosexuality is tolerated by Benjamin - Judges 19-21
a. The events lead to a civil war where Benjamin is almost wiped out. Only 600 men
survived the battles.
Lessons to be found in Judges
It illustrates human nature to go from bad to worse
It shows how quickly people forget the lessons of history
It shows how God can use both the good and the evil to accomplish His will.
In Jephthah’s time- the seriousness of vows and the devastations of making a rash one
Lessons from Gideon (God does not need multitudes to win, the battle belongs to Him and He
can win with little of many- See 1 Sam. 14:6)- 6:1-8:35. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-
9).
Lessons Learned from the Judges
God Means What He Says
Deuteronomy 31:16-17
We are never more than one generation from apostasy.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Ecclesiastes 12:1
We are to teach the next generation. We are to instill a love of God in their hearts
If we forsake God, His hand will be turned against us.
Matthew 12:30
When we forsake God, we become slaves to sin.
John 8:34
Godly sorrow leads to repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:10
Only when we are humbled will He have mercy.
We learn that God is willing to forgive
Isaiah 1:18
God will forgive us if we turn back to Him.
All the judges who redeemed Israel were just a foretaste of the redemption that would come
through Jesus!
Romans 5:8-11
That great judge has come to deliver us from the oppression of sin, that is the great Judge Jesus
Christ.
The cycle of the judges is something we do not have to live with in our life. But, don't we repeat
the cycle? You don't have to remain caught up in the cycle of sin, servitude, sorrow and
salvation. You can break the cycle of sin with Jesus Christ.
If you are struggling with sin, you've been freed from the bondage but like Israel you've gone
back into the bondage of sin, you can repent and pray for forgiveness. If you are a Christian, but
struggling with sin, you can confess your sins and He will forgive you.
If you are still in bondage to sin, having never been freed from bondage, like Israel was in
bondage to Israel. . Jesus died for you to deliver you from that bondage, if you've never become
a Christian you can be made free through belief in Jesus as the Son of God, repentance of your
sin, and confession of His name. You can be baptized to wash away your sin, and have that rest
and peace that comes from the salvation of the Lord.
