JUDGES

A synopsis of the Old Testament Book of Judges

FOR MODERN DAY readers the Book of Judges probably presents more problems than by any other biblical writing. Readers vaguely aware of Deborah’s maternal leadership, Gideon’s timidity and heroics, and Samson’s tragic affair with Delilah which left him “eyeless in Gaza” are likely to be shocked by crude and grisly events, revenge, and general licence.

The author, who is working like a senior editor on Time magazine, compiling a selective essay from several reports, answers the ethical questions with one sentence: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” It was anarchy, so what sort of behaviour would you expect?

Carefully constructed, the thesis is summarised in chapter 2. This is the only biblical book to speak of a “cycle of history”. Normally the Bible regards history as a continuous line from creation to heaven. But here, as poet Steve Turner has aptly put it:

History repeats itself.

Has to.

Nobody listens.

Judges reads as if God’s record has become stuck. But in fact, it is God’s people who are stuck in a cycle of faith degenerating into indulgence, followed by crisis which prompts repentance. We’ve all done it, although maybe not quite so brazenly.

And the glory of Judges is that God doesn’t give up on his people. He does rescue them, eventually. He keeps his covenant even though they break theirs. It’s not savoury reading, but it is certainly salutary. Our sins may be different to those of the time of Judges, but they are no less real. Christians today can sacrifice to the three related idols of greed, envy and avarice at the alter of consumerism without even realising they are doing it. Maybe there’s a message for us here, too.

Primarily, the Book of Judges shows how the tribes of Israel compromised their faith which brought about their own suffering. It tells of twelve leaders (judges) called by God to rescue them from oppression. Judges describes the raw nature of life and warfare in a society where anarchy was rife throughout various parts of Palestine. Assuming the Exodus was 1275 BC, events recorded in the Book of Judges are believed to be between 1200–1000 BC. The story leads to the account of Samuel, the last judge who held Israel together until King Saul.

For today, however, there is a clear message. We shouldn’t give up when God’s work isn’t completed. We should be aware of our own vulnerabilities, too, realising that doubt is not a sin – we should deal gently with those who have it.  And there’s a warning when it’s everyone for themselves and not to get carried away by size and numbers.

---

There’s danger in numbers

A narrative on Judges 7 –

IF the news had leaked out that General Gideon was planning a night raid on tens of thousands with just 300 men, armed with trumpets and candles, he would have been immediately relieved of his duties, certified insane and relegated to the annals of military incompetence along with the leader of the charge of the Light Brigade.

There are two “spiritual” applications of this familiar story. God can use a small minority to achieve great things, so the church should not complain about its relative proportion in society. Also, he may use strange tactics that only real faith can cope with.

Every age has worshipped numbers. Big is beautiful and mega churches are rated highly while mini churches are reckoned to be spiritual failures. They shouldn’t be overlooked by church authorities who see only balance sheets and not the godly faithfulness for which God never guarantees “success”.

We also pin our hopes on methods. It used to be the “Four spiritual laws” as an infallible guide to leading people to Christ. Previously it was Alpha courses. Soon, it will likely be something else. God hates being pinned down; so, the really-visionary will be looking already for God’s surprise tactics. And woe to those who package them as a method.

Yet, these are probably secondary considerations to the author’s main message for the Israelites. He is anxious that they do not fall into national pride (v 2). “We’ve done this!” they would cry, and God would be lucky to even get a mention. He does not share his glory with another, and we bask in his reflected glory at our peril. It can lead to a very damaged soul if we even try.

We also see an alternative way of waging war. The story hints that there is a better way of national life, under God, than bloodletting. Inducing panic was the tactic here, followed, of course, by a lot of bloodletting. It took many centuries before people were ready to hear Jesus’ message that there was a kingdom greater than the nation, and a weapon better than the sword.