Judges

Original reader:

The book of Judges is written to the Israel and is written in the time of the kings. (21:25) 

Author:

Both the Sourceview Bible and Nelson's Complete Book of Maps and Charts state that Jewish tradition points to the prophet Samuel to have written the book of Judges. Also another good indicator that points to Samuel as the author is the last verse in Judges. (21:25) Samuel was the crucial link between the time of the judges and the time of the kings.

Main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and one sentence summary of the main idea:

One of the biggest themes in the book of Judges is the tragic cycle of sin and redemption that is repeated many times. The people of Israel turn from God. (3:7,12, 4:1, 6:1,8:33-34, etc) God then delivers Israel into the hands of their enemies to be oppressed because of their disobedience. (3:8;13, 4:2, 6:1, etc) Israel then cries out to God and repents. (3:9;15, 4:3, 6:6) After Israel cries out and repents God raises up a judge to rescue Israel. (3:9-10; 15, 4:4-5, 6:14) Once God raises up a judge there then is peace in the land. (2:18) As you can see this was the main repeated cycle throughout the book of Judges.

The book of Judges is about Israel repeating a tragic cycle of sin and repentance towards God.

Primary reason book was written:

The primary reason that Judges was written was because it played an important role in their history. God put so called hereos called judges to rescue his people. It also was written to show God's heart of mercy towards his people.

Character and Nature of God:

In the second chapter we see God's judgement towards israel because they broke the covenant with God by disobeying the command God gave them. (2:1-3) God's mercy is shown a lot throughout this book by raising up judges to rescue Israel from their sin after they cry out to God. (3:9-10; 15, 4:4-5, etc) We also see the kindness God displays to Gideon by assuring him he is with him as God calls him to fulfill his purpose.(6:12-16) We also see God show his nature to Gideon by proving three signs to assure Gideon it is the Lord that was talking with him and the Lord that was calling Gideon to rescue Israel. (6:17-40) We also see the unique power of God portrayed when God gives Gideon and his 300 men victory over the Midianties. (7:21-22) The character and nature of God is uniquely displayed in Judges.

God's redemptive plan:

The redemptive plan I see throughout Judges is all the judges that God raises up is a foreshadow of the coming of Jesus, who will be the final judge and bring eternal peace to Israel and the world. (2:18)

Personal Application:

6:12

"Mighty hero, the LORD is with you."

I love this verse because God sees Gideon for who he really is, his true identity, whereas Gideon sees himself through his own insecurities. I feel that we as sons and daughters of God need to start looking at ourselves through heavens eyes more often and in that way we will have less doubt about ourselves and be able to step into the fulness God has for us sooner. There is power in our words and for me I feel God is saying to speak life and truth over myself so that I can walk out in my true identity as a son of God and confidently as one called by God

POP

The above verse I feel the Lord speaking to me. A lot of the youth back home look up to me as a role model and I know sometimes I doubt the gift of God in me. With that said I feel that God is continually reassuring me that he is with me and is wanting to use me for his purposes.