Israel’s failure – Now living in Canaan, Israel was commanded to serve God and be blessed. They conquered the city of Jerusalem, which eventually became a dwelling place for the people of God. But after Joshua died, Israel did not complete the full conquest of Canaan. Their failure to drive out the Canaanites, their enemies, would soon prove to be their downfall.

 

Spiritual decline – When Israel did not do as God commanded them and drive out their enemies, the Angel of the Lord appeared and said, “ …You have not obeyed my voice. What have you done? So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” Judges 2:2-3

 

Israel’s unfaithfulness – When the people of God leave His presence and forsake His commandments, they become vulnerable to enemies and outside seductions. This is what happened to Israel. Their unfaithfulness to God caused them to be taken into captivity by their enemies over and over again, causing them to need God to raise a leader who could judge them and deliver them from their enemies. This cycle of disobedience and deliverance continued in Israel for many years.

 

The pattern of a curse that worked in Israel during the age of the Judges.

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1. Israel disobeys God.

2. Israel is taken captive and is oppressed.

3. Israel cries out to God and repents.

4. God raises up a deliverer, a Judge.

5. God delivers Israel with the help of a leader.

6. Israel is at peace with God.

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When their leader and Judge die, the cycle starts again. Through many years, God raised saviors in Israel called judges. The judges continually delivered Israel from their enemies. Every time a Judge was in rule, Israel was faithful. But after each Judge died, Israel became wicked and fell into the captivity of their enemies. This pattern was a continual cycle of disobedience and death. It was followed by deep sorrow and a need for repentance. The book of Judges is a clear example of how God was always willing to forgive His people of their sins while helping them overcome. But when the people of God do not follow God’s commandments, they soon go astray from their forgiveness. (Thank God for His great mercy to send saviors to help His people get free from their enemies.)

 

The Judges – Twelve Judges in Israel ruled for about 450 years before the birth of Samuel the prophet. And even with these judges leading Israel, they still would not be consistently faithful to God. The book of Judges teaches us the great importance of leadership and why the people of God need anointed leaders who can faithfully judge and lead God’s people. Judges 2:16-19; Acts 13:20.

 

Here is a list of the Judges of Israel. (List taken from the book of Judges only.)

 

1. Othniel (Judged 40 years) – delivers Israel from Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia. Judges 3:7–11

2. Ehud (Judged 80 years) – delivers Israel from Eglon, king of Moab. Judges 3:12–30

3. Shamgar (unknown) – defeats the Philistines. Judges 3:31

4. Deborah (Judged 40 years) and Barak – deliver Israel from Jabin, king of Canaan; Song of Deborah. She was a prophetess and a Mother in Israel. Judges 4:1–5:31

5. Gideon (Judged 40 years) – delivers Israel from Midian; tests God with the fleece. Judges 6:1–8:35 (Abimelech — Gideon’s son who makes himself king. Judges 9:1–57)

6. Tola (Judged 23 years) – Judge of Israel. Judges 10:1–2

7. Jair (Judged 22 years) – Judge of Israel. Judges 10:3–5

8. Jephthah (Judged 6 years) – delivers Israel from the Ammonites. Judges 10:6–12:7

9. Ibzan (Judged 7 years) – Judge of Israel. Judges 12:8–10

10. Elon (Judged 10 years) – Judge of Israel. Judges 12:11-12

11. Abdon (Judged 8 years) – Judge of Israel. Judges 12:13–15

12. Samson (Judged 40 years) – delivers Israel from the Philistines; downfall with Delilah. Judges 13:1–16:31

 

The prophet Samuel – As the time of the Judges came to its end, God heard the cry of a woman named Hannah who had no children because God had closed her womb. As she prayed, the Lord heard her prayer and gave her a son named Samuel. Because of this blessing, she gave Samuel back to the Lord to be raised in the temple of God. Samuel served as the last judge of Israel before Israel entered the age of the kings. He served in the tabernacle under Eli and would become a great prophet of God who would establish truth back in the house of Israel. Samuel was the prophet of God who anointed the first king in Israel. It is said that none of his prophecies ever failed. 1 Samuel 1-8