Historical background
A historical account of the people of Israel can be found in the book of Judges. The time frame it covers is from around 1300 BC to 1050 BC (see timeline), when the Israelites were already in Canaan but lacked a monarchy.
They were governed at this time by so-called “judges,” appointing interim military and civic authorities when Israel faced difficulties from God. Furthermore, the book of Judges is filled with a great deal of turmoil, most of which is brought on by Israel’s disobedience to God.
The situation in Canaan
The Israelites had taken possession of and established themselves in Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. Even though God had instructed them to do so, they had not yet vanquished every one of the original occupants.
“Because if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes,” Joshua, Israel’s leader, had forewarned them about the dire consequences of their carelessness.
God became enraged with the Israelites because they had a tendency to emulate their neighbors’ idolatry and moral decay. Although Israel was declared to be a holy country, their actions were no different from those of the other people.
A recurring pattern
The decline of Israel’s civic and religious life is depicted in the book of Judges.
Time and time again, “the people of Israel served the Baals and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” And they turned their backs on the God of their fathers, the Lord, who had delivered them from Egypt. They pursued other gods, from among the gods of the surrounding peoples, and knelt before them. And they incited the wrath of the Lord (Judges 2:11–12, for example).
God abandoned Israel to foes and plunderers as a punishment of their disloyalty, causing them to experience “terrible distress” (Judges 2:15). The people eventually came to the realization that they were powerless to handle their own issues and turned to God for assistance.
“The Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them,” according to Judges 2:18, in His marvelous grace. He nominated interim leaders who were expected to save their people. “The Lord was with the judge whenever He appointed judges for them, and He delivered them from the grip of their adversaries during the judge’s tenure. However, after the judge passed away, they turned around and became even more corrupt than their fathers, seeking out and serving other gods and showing reverence for them. They persisted in all of their customs and obstinate behaviors (Judges 2:18–19).
This pattern went on for centuries, becoming progressively worse.
The role of the judges
God’s designated judges, along with their supporters, vanquished the adversaries and saved the Israelites. Some of them are described as “heroes of faith” in Hebrews 11:32–34, people who accomplished remarkable achievements through faith.
However, they were far from being idealistic, godly leaders. Judges, particularly the later ones, sinned greatly and failed to turn the people back to God. By battling the adversaries, they provided short-term fixes, but they were unable to address the root cause of Israel’s idolatry and moral decline.
Something has to change
There is tragedy throughout the book of Judges. Evidently, something needed to alter. To turn the tide, the people of Israel required a leader who was obedient to God. And [there would be one from God].
However, there is a different tale found in the Bible’s books of Samuel and Kings.
Some lessons for us
The book of Judges illustrates two major points:
- Humans are utterly wicked. “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” throughout the judges’ time (Judges 17:6; 21:25). And anarchy and debauchery followed. Read Judges 17–21 to see just how horrible things had gotten.
- God is incredibly merciful and faithful. Whenever his people turn from their sins, he will always save them. That stands in stark contrast to Israel’s disloyalty. But God does not allow Israel’s transgressions to go unpunished. Joshua had earlier forewarned them that they would ultimately “perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you” (Joshua 23:13) if they turned from the Lord. Indeed, years later, that did occur (Judges 18:30). This serves as a warning to us as well: although God is gracious, sin will ultimately result in punishment.
Thanks to Moody Publishers / FreeBibleimages for the picture.
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