Judges 1:2:11-23, The Times of the Judges

Here is an outline of Judges with a few comments as to the two passages (chapters 2 and 10) where God speaks to the people in some way. 

·       Ch 1-2: Transition from Joshua to Judges

o   The “cycle of apostacy” (2:11-19) is the pattern that is followed in the time of the Judges.  The basic pattern is this:

§  The people are being blessed by God.

§  Then they turn away from the Lord. 

§  The Lord disciplines Israel, bringing them into submission to one of the neighboring nations or the people that are in the land.

§  The people are in pain and cry out to God.

§  The Lord raises up judges to deliver Israel.

§  Thus, they are again blessed by God, only to again turn away, and so forth.

o   In 2:20-23, the Lord determined He would not drive out the Canaanites.

·       Ch 3: Judges Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar.

·       Ch 4-5: Judges Deborah and Barak.

·       Ch 6-9: Judges Gideon and Abimelech.

·       Ch 10: Judges Tola, Jair.

o   As Israel again confesses their sin (v10) God has another conversation with His people (v11-14), essentially telling them to leave Him alone and cry out to the gods they have been worshiping.  Nevertheless, God is merciful.

·       Ch 11-12: Judge Jephthah.

·       Ch. 13-16: Judge Samson.

·       Ch. 17-21: No king; everyone does what is right in their own eyes.  Israel almost seems to lose their national identity.  These two stories, though each is a little strange to us, are actually quite important, both in describing the times of the Judges as well as revealing the wickedness of men’s hearts.

o   17-18: Idolatry and the tribe of Dan.

o   19-21: Justice and the tribe of Benjamin.

The opening chapter gives insight as to the transition from Joshua to Judges.  First, note that 1:1 speaks of the death of Joshua, and then describes how Israel failed to conquer the land.  Then 2:7-18 again speaks of the death of Joshua, and then describes Israel’s general unfaithfulness to the LORD.

Israel inquired of the LORD, and Judah was to take the lead.  That makes sense, since governmental power would eventually reside with Judah (Gen. 49:8-12).  There is some success (1:3-20).  But then Benjamin fails (1:21).  Ephraim has success (1:22-26) but then fails as do the others (1:27-26).  The reasons?

·       1:19: The enemies’ weapons were too powerful.

·       1:27: The enemy was determined to keep his territory.

·       1:28: Then Israel tried to control the enemy instead of destroying it (v30,33). It’s like trying to control sin.  Sin always wants to be in control, not share the power (Gen. 4:7).  We are to flee sin, not try to reason or even fight with it (1 Cor. 6:11).

·       1:32: Thus, Israel lived among the enemy, and as the flesh and Spirit cannot dwell together (Gal. 5:17), neither can Israel and the Canaanites live in peace.  The enemy takes control (1:34).  Thus, what we have is “the times of the Judges”!