The book of Judges tells how the Israelites kept rejecting the Lord and worshiping idols. Each time they did this, the Lord punished them by letting other nations attack and defeat them. As a result, the Israelites turned back to the Lord and asked for his help, and he sent a special leader called a "judge," who helped them defeat their enemies. A time of peace followed, and the Israelites were faithful to the Lord for as long as the judge lived. But then they again rejected the Lord. All these things happened time after time.
Some Judges may have led the entire nation, but usually, a judge led a few tribes at the most. Israel at this time was a loosely-bound group of tribes, and the Israelites did not think of themselves as being a single, united-country. They did not yet have a king, and so during this time "everyone did what they thought was right" (21.25). But the people had to learn that they were to worship only the Lord, and when they were unfaithful, the Lord punished them.
Here are 8 Lessons from The Book of Judges
Obey Your Father!
1 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Judges 2.1-5
When the Israelites did not drive out the people who lived in Canaan, they lost the privileges that went with God's promises to them. They could no longer be sure of victories against their enemies. And, living so close to the Canaanites would constantly temp God's people to become like the people who had little or no love for God.
These consequences can happen to us if we do not completely obey God's commands. If we don't stand against the devil by saying no to evil things, we cannot expect God to drive evil out of our lives. We are fooling ourselves when we want to be friends with people who are enemies of God.
A Powerful Woman
2 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Judges 4.4-9
Deborah must have been a very woman. Not only was she a spiritual leader of God's people, but she was also a political leader. She commanded the respect of the people knew she spoke for God.
Deborah passed the test of a true prophet. When she told Barak what was going to happen, her words came true. When God wants us to do his work he does not discriminate depending on our gender or physical strength. Both men and women can serve God if we allow him to work in our lives.
The Proof Is in His Promises
3 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Judges 6.36-40
Gideon owed God his complete trust - Without visible proof. And Gideon acknowledged that God had already given his word. Yet, Gideon had doubts, and he wanted to be sure about God's plan. God was patient with him and gave Gideon the sign he requested.
It is not wrong to ask God for more information when we are not sure what he wants us to do. We are not Infallible, and in our natural pride, we may confuse an act of folly with an act of faith.
We do dishonor God, though, when we continually ask him for more proof when he has already given us his Word. Remember that he has given us many signs in the Bible. God understands our weakness and lights the path ahead.
Who Is in Charge Here?
4 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Judges 8.22-35
Once Gideon had defeated the Midianites, the people wanted him to be their king, but Gideon refused. He reminded the people that their king was God. Yet after resisting the temptation of power, Gideon gave in to the temptation of gold.
It may seem correct to think that Gideon deserved a reward for his faithful service, but when Gideon used the gold to make a statue he did a very foolish thing. People began worshiping the statue instead of God.
There are many things we encounter today that may seem at first to be acceptable. But we, too, face the same temptations the Israelites faced. We tend to place too much importance on things - house, money, cars - and pay less attention to God. We must always be sensitive to focusing on god, not things.
A Call for Help
5 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Judges 10.6-16
Once again the Israelites had begun worshiping false gods, so the LORD allowed them to be conquered by their enemies. After eighteen years of suffering, the people finally confessed their sin and asked God for help.
to their surprise, God refused! He told them to ask their false gods for help. however, like a father who loves his children, God, at last, showed mercy to his people and helped them out once again
We often suffer because we don't call on God until we have tried everything else. Or we call on God when we are in trouble, but forget about him when things are going well. It honors God when we call on him as our first choice, not our last resort.
Samson the Nazirite
6 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Judges 13.1-6
How thrilled Samson's mother must have been when the angel told her that she would have a son! God wasn't just going to let her have a baby and then forget about it, though. He wanted the child to be set apart to serve God. she would have to make a commitment to follow God's instructions, and that's just what she did.
Samson's parents are a wonderful example of the complete trust and faith God wants from us. He will bless us, but we have to give God our complete devotion and obedience. Could you respond with complete faith and commitment if God promised to give you something you longed for?
Victory Before Death
7 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Judges 16.15-30
Samson's hair was not the source of his power; it was simply an outward sign that his life was set apart for God's service/ By the time Delilah had Samson's hair cut off, he had already betrayed his relationship with the LORD.
Samson had become pathetic at the end of what started to be a grand career. He seemed to be finished - his eyes were gone and he was bound like a captured animal.
Then an idea took shape in Samson's mind: just one more might act for you, LORD, just one! Divine power surged through the strong man's limbs once again as he brought a greater disaster on Israel's enemies than ever before. It's never too late to seek God.
A Sad Ending
8 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Judges 21.25
The book of Judges closes with the summary statement that everyone did what they thought was right in their own mind. They had abandoned God's Word as their standard for right and wrong.
As a result, everyone lived by their own rules. Their only standard was, "What feels right to me."When the people ignored God's Word, there was no limit to how low their society could sink.
Many people have observed parallels between the time of the judges and our own day. Can the epidemic "diseases" of crime, immorality, and deceit in our society be cured? Yes, they can be! As we cry out to God for forgiveness and commit ourselves to live by his standards rather than our own, he will revive our broken spirits and heal our sin-ravaged land.
Promises For Us
Judges is a book about heroes, but many of the heroes aren't very admirable. It's as if Israel is a vat of milk and the judges are the cream. Unfortunately, the milk is going bad, and cream that rises to the top stinks a little. As judges progresses, the relationship of Israel to God is souring more and more. And the events in the final chapters show the moral climate curdling under the spoiling influences of greed and violence.
You can't ignore your relationship with God and expect your life to stay on an even keel. If you aren't going forward, you will eventually go backward with ever increasing speed. Don't slide into a talk-show morality that characterizes so many spiritually careless people. God is always there ready to relate to you; stay in touch with him so he can guide your life.
For Consideration
- What Pressures today influence people to do what is right in their own eyes, not God's?
- How do you think people can rise above the general moral level of their society?
- How can you keep your life from following the up and down path Israel traveled in Judges?
