"The Road to Emmaus"
(Luke 24:13-27)Study #9 – Jesus in Judges
1). Judges repeatedly sees Israel straying from God, suffering at the hands of other nations, and then returning to Him. Read each of the following passages. Name the peoples that oppress the Israelites and the judge that God raises up.
a). Judges 3:8-9
b). Judges 3:12-15
c). Judges 3:31
d). Judges 4:1-4 ; 14
e). Judges 6:1-2 ; 7:2 ; 8:28
f). 10:6-10 ; 11:1 ; 11:32
g). 13:1 ; 16:30
2). What was the role of the judges in each of the above cases? How does it make them a type of Christ.
3). There are three instances in Judges that many scholars think are a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. Consider each of the following accounts of the angel (messenger) of the Lord.
a). Judges 2:1-3 (note the angel speaks in first person)
b). Judges 6:11-18 (note the seamless transfer from "angel of the Lord" to "Lord")
c). Judges 13:2-3; 13:15-18 ; 13:21-23
4). Some theologians draw some interesting symbolism out of the story of Gideon and the fleece. Read Judges 6:36-40. Consider the following parallels:
The fleece is the Jewish Nation. The fleece covered with dew while all around is dry is the Jewish Nation favoured by God with the Law and the Prophets (God’s chosen people). The fleece dry is the Jewish Nation cast off for rejecting Christ. All around watered is the gospel of Christ preached to the Gentiles. This metaphor can actually be drawn out through other mentions a fleece in Judges and other parts of the Old Testament (Isaiah and Jeremiah).
5). Another interesting bit of theological symbolism comes from Samson’s encounter with a lion on the way to Timnah. Read Judges 14:6-9 and consider the following:
The lion often symbolises Satan – and thus the sin brought in to the world. Honey has the symbolism of heaven – the land of milk and honey. Thus, to some the honey coming from the lion symbolises the seed of Christ being placed in the midst of the sinfulness of Adam’s race.
6). Samson and Gideon are probably the two main (at least well known) of the Judges. Both showed some weaknesses of character. Early on Gideon seems to have had lack of courage (hiding in a winepress, devising elaborate tests for God to prove Himself). However, once Gideon was convinced of God’s power, he showed extreme courage. (a lesson for us in our Christian walk – knowing the power of God to raise Christ from the dead). Samson, on the other hand, seems to have started out strong – four times the Spirit of the Lord comes on him – and then suffered some setbacks. Despite this there are many parallels between Samson and Jesus. Discuss how the following aspects of Samson are symbolic of Christ.
a). He was called to deliver God’s people (like all Judges)
b). He married a selfish woman (Delilah) who betrayed him (consider the way in which God often uses marriage symbolically in both the Old and New Testaments)
c). In his death he saved God’s people
(For some interesting reading regarding symbolism in find something on the tests of 30, 300 and 3000 in Samson’s life and the Biblical significance of these numbers)