JudgesJudges

andand

SamuelSamuel

The Judges were raised up by God The Judges were raised up by God to save the people of God (Judges to save the people of God (Judges

2:16).2:16).

They were “charismatic” leaders They were “charismatic” leaders empowered by the Spirit of God empowered by the Spirit of God

(3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25)(3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25)

They were also concerned with They were also concerned with justice within the nation. Of most of justice within the nation. Of most of them it is said they “judged Israel” them it is said they “judged Israel”

for a stated number of years.for a stated number of years.

The Book of JudgesThe Book of Judges

Content:Content: the cyclical narrative of the time of the cyclical narrative of the time of the judges, with emphasis on Israel’s the judges, with emphasis on Israel’s

repeated lack of covenant loyalty.repeated lack of covenant loyalty.

Historical coverage:Historical coverage: from the death of from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the monarchy.Joshua to the beginning of the monarchy.

Emphases:Emphases: the tenuous results of the the tenuous results of the conquest; God’s constant rescue of his conquest; God’s constant rescue of his

people, despite their habitual failure to keep people, despite their habitual failure to keep covenant with him; the desperate conditions covenant with him; the desperate conditions

and overall downward spiral during this and overall downward spiral during this period; the need of a good king.period; the need of a good king.

JudgesJudges

OthnielOthniel

EhudEhud

ShamgarShamgar

DeborahDeborah

GideonGideon

JephthahJephthah

Ibzan, Elon, AbdonIbzan, Elon, Abdon

SamsonSamson

EliEli

SamuelSamuel

NationsNations

AmmonitesAmmonites

(three times)(three times)

AmalekitesAmalekites

(twice)(twice)

MoabitesMoabites

(once)(once)

MidianitesMidianites

(once)(once)

PhilistinesPhilistines

(three times)(three times)

International International SituationSituation

Major Empires:Major Empires:EgyptEgyptHittitesHittitesAssyriaAssyria

The weakness of The weakness of these powers enables these powers enables Israel to consolidate. Israel to consolidate.

The main problem The main problem was from small was from small

kingdomskingdoms

Overview of JudgesOverview of Judges

1:1-3:61:1-3:6 Introduction: An overture Introduction: An overture setting forth the main themes.setting forth the main themes.

3:7-16:313:7-16:31 Main Narrative Cycle: A Main Narrative Cycle: A series of “variations” on the themes.series of “variations” on the themes.

17:1-21:2517:1-21:25 Epilogue: A “coda” Epilogue: A “coda” illustrating the primary theme.illustrating the primary theme.

Events which trouble the modern Events which trouble the modern mind – Jael, Jephthah, Judges 19-21.mind – Jael, Jephthah, Judges 19-21.

Chronology of JudgesChronology of Judges

Added together the figures in Judges add up to 390 Added together the figures in Judges add up to 390 years. Yet most consider the period covered to be years. Yet most consider the period covered to be

under 200 years. This is explained by various judges under 200 years. This is explained by various judges overlapping one another. AE Cundall suggests:overlapping one another. AE Cundall suggests:

12001200 OthnielOthniel

11701170 EhudEhud

11501150 ShamgarShamgar

11251125 Deborah and BarakDeborah and Barak

11001100 GideonGideon

10701070 JephthahJephthah

10701070 SamsonSamson

Political and Religious ConditionsPolitical and Religious Conditions

The period was one of moral, political and The period was one of moral, political and spiritual disintegration. There are spiritual disintegration. There are

condemnations throughout the book – Judges condemnations throughout the book – Judges 2:12, 17, 19; 3; 17:6; 21:25.2:12, 17, 19; 3; 17:6; 21:25.

Syncretistic Tendencies:Syncretistic Tendencies:

Gideon – Name (Jerub-baal), Baal and Asherah Gideon – Name (Jerub-baal), Baal and Asherah (6:25), Ephod (8:27)(6:25), Ephod (8:27)

Jephthah – Chemosh (11:24), human sacrificeJephthah – Chemosh (11:24), human sacrifice

Micah (17:4,5) – Ephod, Teraphim, graven Micah (17:4,5) – Ephod, Teraphim, graven imageimage

Impact of Canaanite ReligionImpact of Canaanite Religion

Canaanite religion was polytheistic. There were Canaanite religion was polytheistic. There were strong syncretistic tendencies. Yahweh was strong syncretistic tendencies. Yahweh was

confusion with the fertility god Baal. confusion with the fertility god Baal.

Cultic prostitutionCultic prostitutionHuman sacrificeHuman sacrifice

High placesHigh placesCommemorative stones or pillarsCommemorative stones or pillars

Asherah (6:25)Asherah (6:25)EphodEphod

Teraphim or household godsTeraphim or household gods

GideonGideonJudges 6-8Judges 6-8

Story of GideonStory of Gideon6:1-6 An economic emergency6:1-6 An economic emergency6:11-24 Gideon’s call and commission. 6:11-24 Gideon’s call and commission. Note role of the angel of the Lord (6:11)Note role of the angel of the Lord (6:11)6:25-32 The hold of syncretism6:25-32 The hold of syncretism6:34 The Spirit of the Lord on Gideon6:34 The Spirit of the Lord on Gideon6:36-40 Gideon’s frailty6:36-40 Gideon’s frailty7:1-8 The reduction of the army7:1-8 The reduction of the army8:22-23 Gideon refuses to be king8:22-23 Gideon refuses to be king8:25-32 Gideon’s idolatry and death8:25-32 Gideon’s idolatry and death8:29-35 Return to the old ways8:29-35 Return to the old ways

The PhilistinesThe Philistines

They entered Canaan (probably from Cyprus, They entered Canaan (probably from Cyprus, Crete, and the Aegean Islands) between 1190 Crete, and the Aegean Islands) between 1190 and 1174 BC and settled in the costal cities of and 1174 BC and settled in the costal cities of

Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath and Gaza.Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath and Gaza.

They had a closely knit and very efficient social They had a closely knit and very efficient social and military organization. They had iron and military organization. They had iron

chariots, iron weapons, and horses which chariots, iron weapons, and horses which made them superior to the Israelites. made them superior to the Israelites.

Towards the end of the Judges period they Towards the end of the Judges period they became a very serious threat to Israel as they became a very serious threat to Israel as they

pushed further inland both north and east.pushed further inland both north and east.

Purpose of RuthPurpose of RuthTo reinforce the obligation of a male relative To reinforce the obligation of a male relative

to take a dead man’s sonless widow as a to take a dead man’s sonless widow as a wife to raise up an heir for the deceased.wife to raise up an heir for the deceased.

To encourage the inclusion of foreigners by To encourage the inclusion of foreigners by showing that God blessed a mixed marriage showing that God blessed a mixed marriage with the gift of Obed, David’s grandfather.with the gift of Obed, David’s grandfather.

To show how God guides and helps those To show how God guides and helps those who are faithful to their covenant obligations. who are faithful to their covenant obligations.

To demonstrate divine providence. God To demonstrate divine providence. God works through the good and the bad.works through the good and the bad.

Storyline of RuthStoryline of Ruth

1 Tragedy strikes Elimelech’s family1 Tragedy strikes Elimelech’s family2. The law allows some relief (Lev 19:9-2. The law allows some relief (Lev 19:9-

10). Boaz’s kindness goes beyond the 10). Boaz’s kindness goes beyond the law’s demands.law’s demands.

3 The threshing floor; appeal to Boaz as 3 The threshing floor; appeal to Boaz as the next of kin. (A seductress?)the next of kin. (A seductress?)

4 Transaction between kinsmen; Ruth’s 4 Transaction between kinsmen; Ruth’s marriage and familymarriage and family

The Kinsman RedeemerThe Kinsman Redeemer

Under the Levirate law (referred to by Under the Levirate law (referred to by Naomi in 1:11-13), when a man died Naomi in 1:11-13), when a man died

childless his brother was bound to raise childless his brother was bound to raise an heir to him by the widow. This law an heir to him by the widow. This law extended to the next of kin , hence extended to the next of kin , hence

Naomi’s plan. Ruth, by her action in Ruth Naomi’s plan. Ruth, by her action in Ruth 3:7, was claiming this right. It is 3:7, was claiming this right. It is

complicated by the fact that Boaz is not in complicated by the fact that Boaz is not in fact Elimelech’s closest kinsman, but he fact Elimelech’s closest kinsman, but he

promises to take up her case.promises to take up her case.

SamuelSamuel

Location of the Central SanctuaryLocation of the Central Sanctuary

Shechem – Joshua 8:30-34, 24:1ffShechem – Joshua 8:30-34, 24:1ffBethel - Judges 20:18, 26ffBethel - Judges 20:18, 26ffShiloh – Judges 18:31; 1 Samuel 1:3Shiloh – Judges 18:31; 1 Samuel 1:3

The Loss of the Ark of the CovenantThe Loss of the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark was a symbol of the presence of God The Ark was a symbol of the presence of God guiding and protecting his people. Its loss (1 Sam guiding and protecting his people. Its loss (1 Sam 4) was a national tragedy. The glory had departed 4) was a national tragedy. The glory had departed from Israel (4:21-22).from Israel (4:21-22).

Israel’s worshipIsrael’s worship

1 Samuel 1-31 Samuel 1-3Annual pilgrimage to the sanctuary at Annual pilgrimage to the sanctuary at

Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifice.Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifice.Priests officiated on these occasions.Priests officiated on these occasions.Worshippers sometimes made individual Worshippers sometimes made individual

prayers.prayers.Elkanah and his family as well as the Elkanah and his family as well as the

priests ate part of this sacrifice.priests ate part of this sacrifice.

Old Testament SacrificesOld Testament Sacrifices

Burnt OfferingsBurnt Offerings Lev 1:1-17; 6:8-13Lev 1:1-17; 6:8-13

Cereal OfferingsCereal Offerings Lev 2:1-16; 6:14-18Lev 2:1-16; 6:14-18

Peace OfferingsPeace Offerings Lev 3:1-17; 7:11-30Lev 3:1-17; 7:11-30

Sin OfferingSin Offering Lev 4:1-4, 13; 6:24-30Lev 4:1-4, 13; 6:24-30

Guilt OfferingGuilt Offering Lev 5:14-19; 7:1-10Lev 5:14-19; 7:1-10

Dedication to GodDedication to God Whole animal burntWhole animal burnt

Homage & thanksgivingHomage & thanksgiving Salted unleaven cakesSalted unleaven cakes

Fellowship, GratitudeFellowship, Gratitude Animal shared – God, priest …Animal shared – God, priest …

Atonement for sins againstAtonement for sins against Animal or cereal Animal or cereal GodGod Atonement for sins against Atonement for sins against

fellow menfellow men

SamuelSamuelDedicated to God (1:11, 28)Dedicated to God (1:11, 28)Called by God from an age (3:2-10)Called by God from an age (3:2-10)When the word of the Lord was rare (3:1), When the word of the Lord was rare (3:1),

Samuel emerged as a prophet (3:19-20). Samuel emerged as a prophet (3:19-20). Received and passed on word of God (8:6-Received and passed on word of God (8:6-7, 21-22; 15:11-16).7, 21-22; 15:11-16).

A Man of Prayer (7:8; 12:19)A Man of Prayer (7:8; 12:19)Led in Renewal (7:5-6)Led in Renewal (7:5-6)Disappointment (8:6), perplexity (8:21) and Disappointment (8:6), perplexity (8:21) and

anger (15:11)anger (15:11)Ended ministry with prayer (12:23)Ended ministry with prayer (12:23)

Charismatic anointing does not Charismatic anointing does not necessarily produce holiness of necessarily produce holiness of

life. Why did God use them at all?life. Why did God use them at all?

Through all this God is working out Through all this God is working out his purposes for His people and His his purposes for His people and His

King and His MessiahKing and His Messiah