SS Lesson October 1st

SS Lesson October 1^st, 2006 Judges 2(16-23)

Judges (from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

The judges were temporary and special deliverers, sent by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors; not supreme magistrates, succeeding to the authority of Moses and Joshua. Their power only extended over portions of the country, and some of them were contemporaneous. Their first work was that of deliverers and leaders in war; they then administered justice to the people, and their authority supplied the want of a regular government. Even while the administration of Samuel gave something like a settled government to the south, there was scope for the irregular exploits of Samson on the borders of the Philistines; and Samuel at last established his authority as judge and prophet, but still as the servant of Jehovah, only to see it so abused by his sons as to exhaust the patience of the people, who at length demanded a king, after the pattern of the surrounding nations. The following is a list of judges, whose history is given under their respective names: -- First servitude, to Mesopotamia -- 8 years. First judge: Othniel. 40 years. Second servitude, to Moab -- 18 years. Second judge: Ehud; 80 years. Third judge: Shamgar. --- Third servitude, to Jabin and Sisera-- 20 years. Fourth judge: Deborah and Barak. 40 years. Fourth servitude, to Midian-- 7 years. Fifth judge: Gideon; 40 years. Sixth judge: Abimelech; 3 years. Seventh judge: Tola; 23 years. Eighth judge: Jair. 22 years. Fifth servitude, to Ammon-- 18 years. Ninth judge: Jephthah; 6 years. Tenth judge: Ibzan; 7 years. Eleventh judge: Elon; 10 years. Twelfth judge: Abdon. 8 years. Sixth servitude, to the Philistines-- 40 years. Thirteenth judge: Samson 20 years. Fourteenth judge: Eli; 40 years. Fifteenth judge: Samuel. More than likely some of these ruled simultaneously. On the chronology of the judges, see the following article.

The Book of Judges (from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

The Book of Judges of which Ruth formed originally a part, contains a history from Joshua to Samson. The book may be divided into two parts:--

Chs. 1-16. We may observe in general on this portion of the book that it is almost entirely a history of the wars of deliverance.
Chs. 17-21. This part has no formal connection with the preceding, and is often called an appendix. The period to which the narrative relates is simply marked by the expression, "when there was no king in Israel." ch. ( Judges 19:1; 18:1) It records -- (a) The conquest of Laish by a portion of the tribe of Dan, and the establishment there of the idolatrous worship of Jehovah already instituted by Micah in Mount Ephraim. (b) The almost total extinction of the tribe of Benjamin. Chs. 17-21 are inserted both as an illustration of the sin of Israel during the time of the judges and as presenting a contrast with the better order prevailing in the time of the kings. The time commonly assigned to the period contained in this book is 299 years. The dates given in the last article amount to 410 years, without the 40 years of Eli; but in ( 1 Kings 6:1) the whole period from the exodus to the building of the temple is stated as 480 years. But probably some of the judges were contemporary, so that their total period is 299 years instead of 410. Mr. Smith in his Old Testament history gives the following approximate dates: Periods...Years -- Ending about B.C.:
From the exodus to the passage of Jordan...40 -- 1451.
To the death of Joshua and the surviving elders...[40] -- 1411.
Judgeship of Othniel...40 -- 1371. 4,5. Judgeship of Ehud (Shamgar included)...80 -- 1291.
Judgeship of Deborah and Barak...40 -- 1251.
Judgeship of Gideon...40 -- 1211. 8,9. Abimelech to Abdon, total...[80] -- 1131.
Oppression of the Philistines, contemporary with the judgeships of Eli, Samson (and Samuel?)...40 -- 1091.
Reign of Saul (including perhaps Samuel)...40 -- 1051.
Reign of David...40 -- 1011. Total...480. On the whole, it seems safer to give up the attempt to ascertain the chronology exactly.

Book of Judges (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
is so called because it contains the history of the deliverance and government of Israel by the men who bore the title of the "judges." The book of Ruth originally formed part of this book, but about A.D. 450 it was separated from it and placed in the Hebrew Scriptures immediately after the Song of Solomon.

· An introduction ( (1-3:6),), connecting it with the previous narrative in Joshua, as a "link in the chain of books."

· The history of the thirteen ( Judges (3:7-16:31)) in the following order:

Samson's exploits probably synchronize with the period immediately preceding the national repentance and reformation under Samuel ( 1 Samuel 7:2-6).

After Samson came Eli, who was both high priest and judge. He directed the civil and religious affairs of the people for forty years, at the close of which the Philistines again invaded the land and oppressed it for twenty years. Samuel was raised up to deliver the people from this oppression, and he judged Israel for some twelve years, when the direction of affairs fell into the hands of Saul, who was anointed king. If Eli and Samuel are included, there were then fifteen judges. But the chronology of this whole period is uncertain.

· The historic section of the book is followed by an appendix (17-21), which has no formal connection with that which goes before. It records (a) the conquest (17, 18) of Laish by a portion of the tribe of Dan; and (b) the almost total extinction of the tribe of Benjamin by the other tribes, in consequence of their assisting the men of Gibeah (19-21). This section properly belongs to the period only a few years after the death of Joshua. It shows the religious and moral degeneracy of the people.

The author of this book was most probably Samuel. The internal evidence both of the first sixteen chapters and of the appendix warrants this conclusion. It was probably composed during Saul's reign, or at the very beginning of David's. The words in 18:30,31, imply that it was written after the taking of the ark by the Philistines, and after it was set up at Nob ( 1 Samuel 21). In David's reign the ark was at Gibeon ( 1 Chronicles 16:39)

Judges 2:16 Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

Judges

Our next Dispensation to discuss in this series of lessons is the time of the Judges. This period covers the nation of Israel from the time after the death of Joshua until the crowning of Saul as King. It is a difficult time for the people of Israel and a difficult time for Bible studiers to comprehend. Israel is in constant flux between apostasy and faithfulness to Jehovah God. God would turn them over to their enemies because of their sin. They would then cry out for mercy and God would hear and save them from their problems. God was always there listening for their cry. It must have saddened God to see them turn from Him so often. The cause of these problems was rooted in the failure of Israel to drive out the heathen nations from the land of promise as God had commanded them. These people became “thorns in their flesh.” They would tempt them away from God and tragedy would follow. I believe our nation today reflects some of these same failures. We just recently had the 5^th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. Do you remember the feeling of this nation right after that tragedy? We came together, forgot selfish political goals, and determined to fight this battle on a united front. Many folks started attending church. Political leaders called for national prayer. Where have those feelings gone? We seem to be right back where we were before the attack. How short are our memories! How feeble is our determination!

2:17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.

Whoring after false gods

The word translated “whoring” means just exactly what it says; a prostitute or harlot. God refers to Israel in the Bible as “His wife.” The New Testament church is referred to as the “bride of Christ.” When the people of God seek after a false God they are committing spiritual adultery. They seek other gods for financial, social, or fleshly reasons. I can hear folks saying; “we have no idol gods today.” How wrong they are! Any religion who worships another god or another “prophet” is an idolatrous religion. We have them in our nation in abundance today. Not only do we have these other religions, I believe, the biggest false god in America today is US. Mankind has put himself on the throne in place of God. He doesn’t seek the ways or the face of God, but only pursues pleasure and self satisfaction. Did you realize if you put your own fleshly desires above the desires of God that you have become an idol God yourself? Put God back on the throne of your life and let Him rule and reign. Your life will be fuller and more pleasant! Heaven will be your destiny!

2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

God was with them

Notice the great revelation in this verse. When God called a judge to minister to His people, “then the Lord was with the judge.” God will never call a man or woman into a job unless he equips that person with the ability to do that job. God will guide them by His Spirit into right decisions. He will place within them the talent and wisdom needed for success. This refers to all of you who are reading this lesson. If God calls you to preach, He will give you the Spirit of preaching. If He calls you as a Sunday School teacher, He will help you understand the Scripture and the needs of the students you minister unto. If He calls you into a ministry, God will make a way for it to succeed! If God is in it, it will be worth it all!

Merciful

When the people of Israel “groaned” because of their oppressors; God heard them. He hears them every time. He could easily say; “I told you not to follow other gods, now suffer your own ways.” But God doesn’t work that way. His ears are open to the cry of His people. His eyes seek their welfare on this journey of life. He loves you also, by the way. If you are in a troublesome place right now; hold on, help is on the way. God has heard your cry. He will make a way somehow! Please meditate on the words of this great Scripture: Psalms 34:15-19 “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 34:16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

2:19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. 2:20 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;

Short memories

This cycle of apostasy was apparent in Israel for hundreds for years. They would turn to God under the influence of a righteous leader; that leader would die and wickedness would once again rear its ugly head and they would backslide from their relationship with the Almighty. It is a dangerous thing for a person to do. Some today will have some trial or potential tragedy in their lives and run to the church for help. They will run to the altar and pledge to live for God. When the fear is subsided they often will revert back to their sinful ways. I fear for these people. They are not seeking God for His salvation and His goodness, but only for relief from their struggles. God will not be used in such a manner. He wants us to turn to Him due to a broken heart concerning our sin. He wants us to be faithful to the cause. He wants us to fall in love with Him. He wants a meaningful relationship with us. He doesn’t want to be used in emergencies only. Those folks are shallow and weak. I pray for them. If that is describing you, then you should cry out to God and ask Him to help you get more dedication in your life! Do it soon!

2:21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: 2:22 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. 2:23 Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

Living beneath their privilege

How often do the people of God live beneath the privileges offered to them by God? Consider the words of Joshua as he was about to die to understand the tragedy of the time of the Judges: Joshua 23:6-13; “Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; 23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: 23:8 But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. 23:9 For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. 23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. 23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.23:12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.” My dad used to tell me there was two ways for me to learn something, the easy way and the hard way. The easy way was to listen and heed to his advice. The hard way was to suffer the consequences of disobedience. The people of Israel chose to learn the hard way. God promised to provide them with the ability to drive these people out of their land. They didn’t oblige themselves of that promise and suffered because of it. Have you realized they are still suffering so some 3000 years later for this bad decision? Some of the descendants of these folks are right now blowing themselves up in shopping malls and in car bombs because Israel never drove them from their land. Don’t make the same mistake. Yield your life to God now. Payback is not pleasant! Some folks today are suffering for their refusal to turn to God earlier in their lives. Don’t let that be you!

New Living Translation (recommended as a commentary only)

16 Then the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their enemies. 17 Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves to other gods, bowing down to them. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. 18 Whenever the Lord placed a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They followed other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.10 So the Lord burned with anger against Israel. He said, “Because these people have violated the covenant I made with their ancestors and have ignored my commands, 21 I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. 22 I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would obey the Lord as their ancestors did.” 23 That is why the Lord did not quickly drive the nations out or allow Joshua to conquer them all.

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PASTOR RICK BARCUS

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