Click on the dove to go to Site Contents
Teaching And Research By: M. E. Arbaugh
Overcoming
the
Enemies
of
Health
QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS!
Email M.E.A.
God's Plan for Your Spiritual Health
FROM THE DESERT TO THE
CROSS
THE JUDGES
LESSON FIVE
Judges 2:12-21 "And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers. Who brought them out of the land of Egypt; they went after other gods of the peoples round about and bowed down to them, and provoked the Lord to anger. And they abandoned the Lord and served the Baals (masculine plural) and the Ashtaroths (feminine plural). So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and He gave them into the power of plunderers who robbed them, and He sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could no longer stand before their foes. Whenever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn to them; and they were bitterly distressed. But the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who robbed them. And yet they did not listen to their judges; for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed down to them; they turned quickly out of the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not so."When the Lord raised them up judges, then He was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to relent because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed and vexed them. But when the judge was dead, they turned back and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, following and serving other gods, and bowing down to them; they did not cease from their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel; and He said, because these people have transgressed My covenant which I have commanded their fathers and have not listened to My voice. I, from now on will also not drive out from before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died."
The book of Judges does not give us the complete history of Israel during this period of time (approximately 1374 through 1043 BC). Instead it records the major disasters their sins involved them in and the judges that God raised up and used to lead them to deliverance.
The judges were established by God for the purpose of ruling. They had real power to rule, but they did not have the life style of a king. They were not given crowns, did not receive pay or tribute and were not given special privileges that could be passed on to family members. The number of judges God raised up to rule over Israel was twelve. The Bible also lists the two sons of Samuel as judges, but they were not appointed and raised up by God. They were appointed by man and were a disaster from beginning to end.
After the death of Ehud, there was also a man named Shamgar who is listed as a man who delivered Israel. He was not called a judge. Judges 3:31.
Chapter 9 of the book of Judges records the story of a soldier of fortune who set himself up as a king over Israel. Using the force of a hired gang of thugs, he murdered the family of Gideon (also called Jerubbaal). His was a gang lord type of rule which finally ended when a woman cast a heavy millstone down upon him. Knowing he was dying, he asked his armor bearer to slay him, so it would not be said a woman killed him. Even though Abimelech is listed in the book of Judges, it is clear he was not raised up by God to rule Israel. So the number of judges remains at twelve.
The first judge listed is Othniel who was Caleb's younger brother and a hero in Israel. He smote the king of Mesopotamia, who the children of Israel had served for eight years. The effects of that victory lasted for about 40 years. Judges 3:9-11
Judge number two was Ehud. Ehud was from the tribe of Benjamin. He gained entrance into the presence of King Eglon while pretending to bring Israel's tribute payment to the oppressor king. While in the kings chamber, Ehud drew the sword he had concealed and killed the king. He locked the doors of the chamber made his escape and then led the children of Israel to victory against the Moabites who were now without leadership. Judges 3:15-20 Israel was at rest after this victory for a period of eighty years.
Judge number three was a woman. Deborah the judge was also called a prophetess. None of the other judges except Samuel were expressly called prophets. The word meant spokes person for God. Deborah the prophetess was a contemporary of Barak a military leader. At Deborah's direction and in her company, Barak was able to deliver the people from the oppression of Jabin the King of Canaan. Judges 4:1-8 Again the land had peace and rest, this time for forty years.
Judge number four was the well known Gideon who led the children of Israel against the Midianites. Starting with a large army of 32,000, a series of tests reduced the army to 300. With these 300, who carried pitchers of light and trumpets, the battle was won. Gideon did much good for Israel and ruled for forty years of peace. During that time he became the husband of many wives who bore him seventy sons. After His (Gideon's) death the people once more entered into idol worship and did not show kindness to Gideon's family. Judges 6 through 8:33
Judge number five was Tola, a man of Issachar, who judged Israel for 23 years. Little is known of him. His whole life seems to be compressed into two verses in Judges 10:1-2 He lived, he ruled, he died.
Judge number six was Jair, the Gileadite, who judged Israel for 22 years. Once again little is recorded, it is mentioned he had thirty sons. Many sons were considered a sign of God's favor. Judges 10:3-5
Judge number seven was Jephthah. Jephthah was the son of a harlot and Gilead. Jephthah was apparently raised by Gilead and his wife. When he and his half brothers were youths he was cast from the household by his brothers who did not want him to inherit from his father. He fled to Tob and there was able to survive by robbing others. During the course of time a group of men aligned themselves with him and formed an army. When the Ammonites came against Israel and there was war, his brothers needed someone to lead them in battles and realized Jephthah had a trained group. They approached Jephthah who told them when God gave him victory, he would also be the head of Israel. The terms were accepted. Before going to battle against the Ammonites Jephthah made a very foolish vow. He vowed, if he was victorious, he would offer as a sacrifice the first one who greeted him as he returned. His only child and beloved daughter saw her father returning and in great joy ran to greet him; thus becoming the sacrifice. This story not only shows the seriousness of making foolish vows, it also shows a total lack of knowledge concerning the nature of God.
There is a difference of opinion concerning the fulfilling of the vow. The laws that governed Israel strictly forbade the offering of human sacrifice. However, Jephthah was born of a Canaanite woman and lived part of his life under the influence of the Canaanites who did practice such sacrifices. Also Israel had fallen into such a terrible state of idolatry that such an incident would have been acceptable. So, it is possible the daughter was actually sacrificed. It is also possible she was remanded to a state of spinsterhood for the balance of her life. This would also have been a sacrifice, not only on her part, but also on the part of her father who did not have heirs. Jephthah ruled for six years. Judges 11
Judge number eight was Ibzan, he had thirty sons and thirty daughters and ruled Israel for a period of seven years. Again there is little said, however, it is unusual for the daughters even to be mentioned. Perhaps this man was one who saw worth in both of God's creations. Judges 12:8-10
Judge number nine was Elon. Even less is recorded of Elon than of others. He ruled for ten years. Judges 12:11
Judge number ten was Abdon who judged Israel for eight years. Abdon had forty sons and thirty grandsons. That indicated a great deal of the favor of God. Judges 12:14
Judge number eleven was Samson, well known for his great physical strength, and his lack of control over his strong passions. He had problems with women, and anger. He also had a fondness for riddles and teasing. All of these things eventually led to his destruction. What is NOT generally known about Samson is his sense of patriotism. When Samson began his rule over Israel, they had been oppressed by the Philistines for forty years. During this time there was no central government so they were easy prey for their enemies. Samson wanted his people to be free and was willing to fight for freedom. The Philistine nation considered Samson THE threat to their national security. Not Israel, but Samson. Even though Samson fell, in the end he still had in mind to destroy the enemies of Israel. Between the beginning of his rule and his imprisonment, Samson ruled for twenty years. He is still considered to be a hero; not only by the people of his nation, but also by God, who allowed his name to be recorded in the heroes of faith section. Hebrews 11:32 Judges chapters 13 and 16
The record of the twelfth Judge of Israel begins in the book of First Samuel. Samuel was dedicated to God before his birth and the word says, as "Samuel grew; the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. All Israel knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord." 1 Samuel 3:19-20
Overcoming
the
Enemies
of
Health
QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS!
Email M.E.A.
Samuel is considered to be the last judge of Israel, even though when he was old he appointed his two sons as judges. (Samuel's appointment, not God's) Since Samuel was a man and subject to the same frustrations and physical tiredness we are, it is not to difficult to imagine that one day he might have thought.......I am tired of riding this mule all over Israel. I'm tired of being on the road so much. I want to stay home by the fire and warm my toes. So with out consulting the Lord, he made his sons judges in Beersheba.
It must have seemed like a good idea to keep it in the family and spread the work load around, but it did not work out. Samuel's two sons were not chips off of the old block. It is possible they may have looked like him, but they certainly did not behave like him. They took bribes and perverted justice. The people of Israel had been looking around at other nations for some time and had noticed they all had kings. They thought they needed a king also. The evil behavior of Samuel's sons gave them a good excuse to approach the prophet with their request. They said, "your sons are corrupt." Here's what we want you to do about it, other nations have palaces and thrones with kings who sit upon them. We want to be like other nations. Appoint us a king. 1 Samuel 1-5
Samuel probably felt rejected and possibly he also felt some guilt. He no doubt thought of all the years of service he had given to the nation. The hearts of all men desire appreciation and the people did not seem to give honor to Samuel. Samuel now approaches God with this matter. God is so good, there is not one word of reproach for Samuel's high handed appointment of his sons. Instead God tells Samuel, it is not you they are rejecting, it is Me. 1 Samuel 8:7 Samuel, go and warn the people of what it will be like under the rule of an earthly king, then if they still want a king, hearken to their voice and appoint them a king. 1 Samuel 8:7-22
1 Samuel 8:10-20 "And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to till his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectioneries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive yards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your finest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And you shall cry out in that day because of your king which you shall have chosen; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
"Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, No, but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles." 1 Samuel 8:10-20
The words of their mouths became snares to them. Joshua said, meditate the
word of God. Keep the word of God before your eyes and in your mouth. Act
on the word and you shall make your way prosperous. Jos. 1:8 That means think
the word, speak the word, and do the word. Instead of following Joshua's
instructions, they were looking at the other nations. They also must have
been talking of what they saw, for they came to Samuel in agreement and spoke
what they had been meditating on. WHAT ISRAEL LOOKED UPON, BECAME A DESIRE,
THEN WAS SPOKEN. WHAT ISRAEL SPOKE, SHE RECEIVED.
Next:
LESSON
SIX
Copyright © 1998
Peace4U™
All Rights Reserved!
Click here to go to Site Contents
Teaching And Research By: M. E. Arbaugh
Last Update:
Thursday,
January 1, 2009
http//www.peace4u.org