Judges - Introduction
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None of the judges was a leader like Moses or Joshua; though some were godly, others were seriously flawed. Yet God used them all. In particular, He empowered them by His HOLY SPIRIT so that they could accomplish special tasks (Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 14:6,19). But such empowerment was only temporary. For Christians, it is ongoing, because the Holy Spirit dwells within us (John 14:16–17; Ephesians 5:18).
The period of the judges ended when Saul was chosen to become Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 10:17–25). Under the judges, the nation had almost disintegrated. The tribes of Israel had begun fighting among themselves. They were attacked from outside. The people had begun to clamor for a king, thinking that a strong central leader would be able to keep them united and protect them from enemies. But how wrong they were! All through Israel’s history up to that time, God had been their King; God had been the One holding the nation together. But the people had turned away from God; if that situation continued, no human king would be able to save them.
The lesson of the book of Judges is this: if people obey God they will be blessed; if they turn from Him they will be punished—both as individuals and as a nation or church. Israel only survived because of the GRACE of God. God’s commitment to Israel never failed—even when He had to banish them from their promised land. And His commitment to Israel continues to this very day. Even though the Israelites—because of disobedience—were never able to fully and permanently possess their inheritance (Canaan), God has now offered to them and to us an even greater inheritance: an inheritance in heaven for all who put their FAITH in Jesus.