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How to Read Judges

(Every time we begin a new book, I will post a short aide on How to Read that book that will hopefully help you get the most out of your reading)

Content: The cyclical narrative of the time of the judges, with emphasis on Israel’s repeated lack of covenant loyalty.

Author & Historical Coverage: Unknown author, but possibly Samuel.  Timespan is from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the monarchy.

Emphases: The tenuous results of the conquest; God’s constant rescue of his people, despite their habitual failure to keep covenant with him; the desperate conditions and overall downward spiral during this period; the need for a good king.
How to read Judges: The book of Judges is divided into three parts:

1) The introduction:  an “overture” setting forth the main themes (1:1-3:6).  While God never broke covenant with Israel, they broke covenant with him by not driving out the Canaanites, and so God will no longer come to their aid; rather, the Canaanites will be thorns in their side.
2) The Main Narrative Cycle:  A series of “variations” on the themes (3:7-16:31).  Israel does evil by serving the Canaanite Baals, they experience God’s anger, they cry out in distress, and God rescues them by sending a judge-deliverer.
3) Epilogue:  A “coda” illustrating the primary theme (17:1-21:25).  The people keep turning to foreign gods and failing to keep their covenant with God.

It is important to point out that judges at this time were not judicial officials, but military leaders and clan chieftains used by God to deliver Israel from enemies who threatened them.

Some of the main features to look for include:

1) There is much intertribal strife during this period, as one tribe will be oppressed and call on the others for help, but the other tribes do not always respond.
2) There is a gradual deterioration of things in Israel from the conquest of the land to the time of Samuel.  There are six major judges, and while the first three (Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah) are basically positive, the last three (Gideon, Jephtha, and Samson) are less positive.  By the end, we learn that there was no king and all the people did what was right in their own eyes (17:6, 21:25).
3) While the Spirit of the Lord is upon the judges, there is no mention of the presence of God in the midst of His people.  Israel has lost their way, and find themselves in chaos.

Memory Verse – Judges 21:25 -“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”

Much of this material is drawn from “How to Read the Bible Book by Book” by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart.

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