Introduction:
The Book of Judges is the seventh book in the Old Testament of the Bible, situated between the Book of Joshua and the Book of Ruth. It covers the period in Israel's history from the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy, approximately 1380 to 1050 BC. This era is characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israel's faithfulness, apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The book is named after the judges, who were leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from its oppressors.

Historical Context:
Following the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, the Israelites settled in the Promised Land. However, they failed to fully obey God's command to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants, leading to a period of moral and spiritual decline. The Israelites repeatedly turned to the worship of Canaanite gods, which led to their oppression by surrounding nations. In response to their cries for help, God raised up judges to deliver them.

Structure and Content:
The Book of Judges is divided into three main sections:

1. Introduction (Judges 1:1–3:6): This section provides an overview of the incomplete conquest of Canaan and the resulting consequences. It sets the stage for the recurring cycle of sin and deliverance.

2. The Cycles of the Judges (Judges 3:7–16:31): This central portion of the book details the accounts of twelve judges, including notable figures such as Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. Each judge's account follows a similar pattern: Israel falls into sin, God allows oppression by enemies, the people cry out for deliverance, and God raises a judge to rescue them.

· Othniel (Judges 3:7-11): The first judge, Othniel, delivers Israel from the king of Mesopotamia.
· Ehud (Judges 3:12-30): Ehud, a left-handed judge, frees Israel from Moabite domination.
· Deborah and Barak (Judges 4–5): Deborah, a prophetess, and Barak lead Israel to victory over the Canaanites.
· Gideon (Judges 6–8): Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, defeats the Midianites with a small army.
· Jephthah (Judges 11–12): Jephthah delivers Israel from the Ammonites but makes a tragic vow.
· Samson (Judges 13–16): Samson, known for his great strength, battles the Philistines but is ultimately betrayed by Delilah.

3. Appendix (Judges 17–21): The final chapters contain two additional narratives that illustrate the moral and social chaos of the time. These accounts highlight the idolatry and civil strife that plagued Israel.

Theological Themes:
The Book of Judges emphasizes several key theological themes:

· The Sovereignty of God: Despite Israel's repeated failures, God remains sovereign and faithful to His covenant. He raises up judges to deliver His people, demonstrating His mercy and grace.

· The Consequences of Disobedience: The Israelites' failure to fully obey God's commands leads to their oppression. The book serves as a warning about the dangers of idolatry and compromise with pagan cultures.

· The Need for Righteous Leadership: The recurring phrase, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), underscores the need for godly leadership. The judges, though flawed, are instruments of God's deliverance.

· Human Weakness and Divine Strength: The accounts of the judges highlight human weakness and the necessity of relying on God's strength. Characters like Gideon and Samson illustrate how God can use imperfect individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Key Verses:
· Judges 2:16-17 : "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges, but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them."

· Judges 21:25 : "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Conclusion:
The Book of Judges serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of faithful obedience. It also points to the need for a righteous king, setting the stage for the eventual establishment of the monarchy in Israel.

Whether the Angels Will Judge?
... OF THOSE WHO WILL JUDGE AND OF THOSE WHO WILL BE JUDGED AT THE GENERAL
JUDGMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the angels will judge? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the angels will judge.htm

The Peroration
... the collecting it together, which is called by the Greeks recapitulation, and by
some of the Latins enumeration, serves for refreshing the judge's memory, for ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the peroration.htm

Upon the Collections , iv.
... been long barren can at length be fruitful, the verdict on which justice has determined
may be fore-stalled and the picture of God's coming to judge the world ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon ix upon the collections.htm

Whether the Demons Will Carry Out the Sentence of the Judge on the ...
... OF THOSE WHO WILL JUDGE AND OF THOSE WHO WILL BE JUDGED AT THE GENERAL JUDGMENT
(EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the demons will carry out the sentence of the Judge on ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the demons will carry.htm

Whether a Man Can Justly Judge one who is not Subject to his ...
... OF THE INJUSTICE OF A JUDGE, IN JUDGING (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether a man can
justly judge one who is not subject to his jurisdiction? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man can justly.htm

Whether the Judge Can Lawfully Remit the Punishment?
... OF THE INJUSTICE OF A JUDGE, IN JUDGING (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the judge
can lawfully remit the punishment? Objection 1: It would ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judge can lawfully.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Man to Kill his Wife if She be ...
... Now the husband is not his wife's judge: wherefore he may not kill her, but
may accuse her in the judge's presence. Reply to Objection ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 21.htm

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
... unto Joshua, saying, 7. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, If thou wilt walk in My ways,
and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My house, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a vision of judgement and.htm

Division and Argument
... Some are of the opinion that division should always be used, as by it the cause
will be more clear and the judge more attentive and more easily taught when he ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/division and argument.htm

The Exordium or Introduction
... We are naturally disposed to favor the weak and opprest, and a conscientious judge
hears an orator willingly whom he presumes not to be capable of making him ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the exordium or introduction.htm

Judge's (8 Occurrences)
...Judge's (8 Occurrences). ... Acts 18:12 But when Gallio was ruler of Achaia, all the
Jews together made an attack on Paul, and took him to the judge's seat, (BBE). ...
/j/judge's.htm - 8k

Attack (221 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:12 But when Gallio was ruler of Achaia, all the Jews together made an
attack on Paul, and took him to the judge's seat, (BBE RSV NIV). ...
/a/attack.htm - 37k

Judgest (9 Occurrences)
... a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law:
but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. ...
/j/judgest.htm - 9k

Upright (392 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:19 And while he was on the judge's seat, his wife sent to him, saying,
Have nothing to do with that upright man, for I have had much trouble this ...
/u/upright.htm - 36k

Floor (69 Occurrences)
... John 19:13 So when these words came to Pilate's ear, he took Jesus out, seating
himself in the judge's seat in a place named in Hebrew, Gabbatha, or the Stone ...
/f/floor.htm - 32k

Trouble (477 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:19 And while he was on the judge's seat, his wife sent to him, saying,
Have nothing to do with that upright man, for I have had much trouble this ...
/t/trouble.htm - 36k

Rascally (1 Occurrence)
... Proverbs 19:28 A good-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision: and
the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream. (See NAS). ...
/r/rascally.htm - 6k

Pilate's (4 Occurrences)
... John 19:13 So when these words came to Pilate's ear, he took Jesus out, seating
himself in the judge's seat in a place named in Hebrew, Gabbatha, or the Stone ...
/p/pilate's.htm - 7k

Seating (10 Occurrences)
... John 19:13 So when these words came to Pilate's ear, he took Jesus out, seating
himself in the judge's seat in a place named in Hebrew, Gabbatha, or the Stone ...
/s/seating.htm - 10k

Stand (542 Occurrences)
... 28. (n.) A raised platform or station where a race or other outdoor spectacle may
be viewed; as, the judge's or the grand stand at a race course. 29. ...
/s/stand.htm - 39k

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