Judges 2:16-19, The Beginnings of “Salvation”

For the next week plus we want to camp on the OT idea of “salvation.”  Over 200 uses are the root verb yasha.  Those with a bullet are the noun yesha (33x). 

Exo 2:17: Moses rescues shepherd-daughters of Reuel

Exo 14:30: at Red Sea Lord saved Israel fr. Egyptians

“Salvation” is not a term found in Genesis.  Were there rescues?  Yes, chiefly the Flood.  But that story gives rise to “atonement” (the pitch put on the ark).  The first use picture of “salvation” is Moses’ rescue of Reuel’s daughters.  Then we have the grand OT picture of “salvation” in the OT, the rescue from Egypt, particularly at the Red Sea.  There are some references in Job as will be seek in the next post.

Num 10:9: blow trumpet when attacked, Lord will rescue you fr. enemies

Deu 20:4: don't fear in war, Lord gives victory

Deu 22:27: rape victim in country screams but no one rescues her

Deu 28:29: curse: no one to rescue you

Deu 28:31: curse, no one to rescue sheep given to your enemies

Deu 33:29: who is like Israel, a people saved by the Lord

Josh 10:6: Gibeonites call on Joshua to save them

Josh 22:22: eastern tribes shouldn't be spared if they were in rebellion

Judg 2:16: the judges saved Israel from those who plundered Israel

This gives us the important idea of “saviors,” those who saved Israel.

Judg 2:18: Lord was w/judge & saved Israel from enemies

Judg 3:9ab: Othniel a deliverer who saved them

Judg 3:15: Ehud the deliverer

Judg 3:31: Shamgar saved Israel

Judg 6:14: Gideon told to save Israel in own strength

Judg 6:15: Gideon: How can I save Israel"

Judg 6:31: Joash asks people: will you save Baal?

Judg 6:36: Gideon's fleece to see if God will save Israel by his hand

Judg 6:37: then he'll know if God will save Israel by his hand

Judg 7:2: too many men for God to get glory

Judg 7:7: w/300 men God will save them

Judg 8:22: Gideon asked to be king bec he saved Israel

Judg 10:1: Abimelech saved Israel

Judg 10:12: God asks: did I not save you

Judg 10:13: but you turned away--so I will not save you now

Judg 10:14: cry to the gods, let them save you

Judg 12:2: Jephthah complains Ephraim didn't help save her

Judg 12:3: the Lord gave victory

Judg 13:5: Sampson will begin deliverance of Israel