Judges & Old Testament

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1. "...we want to understand if the language, structure, and/or message found in Judges is similar to any other OT book(s)?" If you know of any, could you tell us and in your opinion does that help the reader of Judges understand the purpose of Judges?"

First, the Bible is a record of God's progressive history, of which judges is one part of. In this sense, it is difficult to think of one part of history (the Book of Judges) being similar or different to other parts of history (the other OT books). Rather, it would be more beneficial to think of each Book representing a different era of history, and as part of a whole. The Book of Judges represents an era of Israel's history, God's progressive history, from 1377 to 1055 BC. The language, structure, and/or message help us understand the purpose of the Book of Judges and the role of the judges in Israel's history. Let's look a little closer.

The Judges (Judges): Israel: 1377-1055 BC

Purpose/Role: First, it is important to consider the Bible as you do any other history, which is progressive in nature, with each period building on the next. In other words, the Book of Judges is about Israel's history from 1377-1055 BC. In this sense, the Book of Judges is a written record of God's progressive salvation history as it relates to human history. As you read the Book of Judges, then, the role or purpose of the Book of Judges becomes clear. First, just like the other books of the Bible, the Book of Judges informs us about the work of God in human history during that era of Israel's history, mainly from 1377 to1055 BC. Secondly, it maps out the historical events that occur in Israel's history (see content/message section below). Who were these judges? Judges were God's primary instrument to rule the people during this era who were no longer obedient to the Law.

Content/Message: "Judges" is the history of this era. The thesis for this 300 year era of Israel's history is summarized in Judges 2:11-22. The main theme can be viewed as a cycle (see attachment) described in this passage:

· v.11-13. Israel serves the Baals. This is referred to as "playing the harlot." The "people of God's own possession" rejected their relationship to God, and turned to serve Canaanite gods.

· v.14,15. God withdraws his protection from Israel in response to their apostasy. He gives them into the hands of "plunderers who plunder them." The land is occupied; the people are scattered and often slaughtered.

· v.16-18. God raised up judges to rule over Israel. During the rule of the judge, the enemy would be repelled and the people restored to their land.

· v 19. After the death of the judge, the people would return to their apostate ways.

What was the role of the judges? Since the judges were God's primary instrument to rule the people during this era who were no longer obedient to the Law, they had specific roles and purposes to ...