Judges

The History of Israel during the Times of the Judges

 

Conclusions Sheet 1 & Questions Sheet 2

The following are the conclusions we made concerning or class, introductory to the Book of Judges.  In addition, there are to be found below questions for further study.

 

1) How many Judges of Israel were there in all?

After researching several sources, I’ve found 3 answers: 12, 14 & 15.  As we study and look, we find 15 as the most frequently given answer.  Below is a list of those 15 judges:

 

1) Othniel, 3:7-11                              2) Ehud, 3:12-30                                    3) Shamgar, 3:31

4) Deborah, 4:1-5:31                         5) Gideon, 6:1-8:35                                6) Abimelech, 9:1-57

7) Tola, 10:1-2                                   8) Jair, 10:3-5                                         9) Jephthah, 10:6 – 12:7

10) Ibzan, 12:8-10                              11) Elon  , 12:11-12                                12) Abdon, 12:13-15

13) Samson, 13:1-16:31                    14) Eli, 1Sam. 1:1-4:22                           15) Samuel, 1Sam. 1:1-25:1

 

2) DYK (Did you know...)

Deborah was a judge ergo there was a woman who was judge.

 

3) Who is the author of the book?

While the author is uncertain, most who would attribute authorship attribute it to Samuel.  Some scholars feel it (the writing of the book) was more of a collaborative effort.

 

4) FFT (Food For Thought…)

 2:6: “the children…every man…”

This provides an example of how the term ‘man’ is used to refer to all the people.

 

5) Who was ultimately the Judge and Ruler of Israel?

8:23 and 11:27:  Gideon insists that Lord is Israel’s true ruler.

 

6) Who is/what is/are the archrival(s) of Israel?

The Philistines and the Canaanites

 

7) What does the term “incomplete conquest” mean within this context?

2:2-3, The Israelites failed to completely rout the Canaanites.  The Bible says that they were and would be a “…thorn in the side of Israel.”

 

8) FFT: How often do we read….          

“Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord.”

“The Lord’s anger burned against [them].”

 

9) How would you define apostasy?

Apostasy is a complete and abject turning/falling away from the Lord.  This could be likened, as one brother put it, to “falling overboard”.  This is not to be confused with backsliding or “falling down on the deck”, to further the analogy.

 

10) What is a covenant? A testament?  Is there a difference?

 

11) James 2:19, Ecc. “Fear God and obey His commands…”

 

 

12) Why is the term ‘prostituted themselves’ used with regard to Israel?

2:17, Baal is similar to the word “Lord” in Hebrew and the nation of Israel had prostituted herself by taking on another Lord.  Essentially, idolatry is taking in another Lord or master in addition to Almighty God.

 

13) How would you define ‘forsake’?

2:12-13

 

14) What is meant by ‘prove Israel’?

2:22

 

15) 2:1, Read the portion “…who knew not the Lord” and compare to the youth & world of today.

 

16) Why were the judges given to lead?  Who provided them?

        2:16 & 18

17) What is idolatry?

 

18) About how much time expired during this epoch (Period of the Judges)?

 

19) What comparisons can you make between these people and the Galatian church?

 

20) Generally speaking, how were the O.T. epochs (historical periods) subdivided?  i.e. by what do we usually categorize the periods of history of the Old Testament?

 

21) If you were to give a major theme for the entire book, what would it be?  Explain.

 

22) Why do you suppose God allowed Israel to encounter the difficulties it faced under the judges?  i.e. in the Epoch of the Judges, why did the Israelites go through periods of success and defeat at the hands of their enemies?

 

23) What is mean by “…it repented the Lord…”?

 

 

Assignment

Once we have completed the first 2 chapters of the Book of Judges, please read chapter 3 of the Book of Judges.  Keep in mind that some of these questions are meant to go beyond a mere examination of the text.