DBG - March 20 - Judges 1-3

The Book of Judges is the historical record of events between the settlement of the Promised Land under Joshua to the call for a monarchy to begin.  It is a dark book that records time and time again a vicious cycle: Israel does good and worships God > Israel turns from God > God sends judgment > Israel repents > God sends a deliverer > Israel does good and worships God.  God would raise up men (and women) to lead Israel in their times of crisis, and these are called judges. 

A few quick facts about Judges:

In this chapter we have events that occur during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua.

vs. 1-7 – Judah and the neighboring tribe of Simeon continue the work of conquering the Canaanite peoples after the death of Joshua.  They defeat Adonibezek (“lord of Bezek”) at Bezek in central Canaan.  There is an application of the lex talionis in that they cut off his thumbs and big toes just as he had done to the kings he had conquered.

vs. 8-10 – The campaign continues southward a by taking Jerusalem and Hebron.

vs. 11-15 – The story of the capture of Kirjathsepher is repeated from Joshua 15:13-19.

vs. 16 – A group of Kenites related to Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, settle in the vicinity of Jericho, see Deuteronomy 34:3.

vs. 17-20 – The continued operations of Judah and Simeone take the Philistine territory on the Mediterranean coast and more.

vs. 21 – The Benjaminite failed to drive the Jebusites from their stronghold at Jerusalem.  This will finally occur when David takes the city in II Samuel 5.

vs. 22-26 – Ephraim and Manasseh capture the town of Luz (“nut”), renamed Bethel (“house of God”), with the aid of defector.  That man establishes another town with the same name, in the territory controlled by the Hittites in north of Canaan.

vs. 27-35 – The failures of the tribes to completely drive out the Canaanite people.  Note that in most cases they did not kill them but rather enslaved them or made them pay tribute.  This is not what God had commanded, and they will suffer because of it.

In this chapter we have an overview of the Judges period that begins after the Angel of the Lord rebukes their unfaithfulness.

vs. 1-5 – The Angel of the Lord, the Preincarnate Christ who appeared to Joshua in Joshua 5:13, comes again to rebuke Israel for their failure to obey the command to destroy the Canaanites and their influence.  The people weep and the place is called Bochim (“weepers”).  Reese’s Chronological Bible places this after Joshua 9.

vs. 6-10 – The death of Joshua is covered again from Joshua 24:29-31 with the added information that the second generation turned against the Lord.

vs. 11-15 – This is an overview of the Judges era.  Israel will keep turning from God to idols.  Baal and Ashtaroth are very ancient pagan deities that morph with time and location.  Generally, Baal is a male storm god but also associated at times with the sun.  Ashtaroth is a female fertility goddess but also associated at times with the moon. 

vs. 16-23 – God would raise up judges to lead Israel back to Him and out of bondage.  These revivals would not last forever and the people would turn from God again.  The vicious cycle continued.

In this chapter Joshua we meet the first three judges that led and delivered Israel in their time of crisis.

vs. 1-6 – The situation is described concerning the various Canaanite and pagan peoples that Israel interacted with.

vs. 7-11 – The first oppression comes from Mesopotamia (literally “land between the two rivers”) under Chushanrishathaim (“chief of two governments”?).  Othniel (“lion of God”), the nephew of Caleb, is the first judge God raised to deliver Israel.  His work leads to 40 years of peace.

vs. 12-30 – The second oppression comes from the Moabites under the obese king Eglon (“cow-like”).  God raises up Ehud (“union”) to free Israel.  He assassinates Eglon, plunging an 18-inch-long dagger fully into his immense belly and piercing his digestive tract (I’ll leave it at that). 

vs. 31 – The next judge to arise is Shamgar (“sword”), who personally killed 600 Philistines in combat using only an ox goad (a long pointy stick).

The Book of Judges is a dark book as we see the consequences of sin and the reproving hand of God applied to His people.  But we cannot overlook that it is full of hope.  Yes, Israel would turn away from God, but they would return to Him even if briefly.  God would hear their cries for help and rise up a leader to bring them back to a place of blessing.  Never lose sight of the light of hope that God gives even in the blackest of midnights. 

Our hymn today is a reworking of Psalm 34 from Tate and Brady’s “A New Version of the Psalms of David” published in 1754.  It is sometimes titled from its first line: “Through All the Changing Scenes of Life”.  The themes of answered prayer and deliverance fit well with our reading.  I have left the original verse marks that show which verse of Psalm 34 the lines are based on.

1 Thro' all the changing scenes of Life,
in Trouble, and in Joy,
The Praises of my God shall still
my Heart and Tongue employ.
2 Of his Deliv'rance I will boast,
till all that are distrest,
From my Example Comfort take,
and charm their Griefs to Rest.

3 O! magnify the Lord with me,
with me exalt His Name,
4 When in Distress to Him I call'd,
He to my Rescue came.
5 Their dropping Hearts were soon refresh'd,
Who look'd to Him for Aid:
Desir'd Success in ev'ry face
a chearful Air display'd:

6 "Behold (say they) behold the Man
"whom Providence reliev'd;
"So dang'rously with Woes beset,
"so wond'rously retriev'd!"
7 The Hosts of God encamp around
The Dwellings of the Just;
Deliv'rance He affords to all
who on his Succour trust.

8 O! make but Trial of His Love,
Experience will decide,
How blest they are, and only they,
who in His Truth confide.
9 Fear Him, ye Saints, and you will then
have nothing else to fear:
Make you His Service your Delight;
He'll make your Wants his Care.

10 While hungry Lions lack their Prey,
the Lord will Food provide
For such as put their Trust in Him,
and see their needs supplyd.

Part II

11 Approach, ye proudly dispos'd,
and my Instruction hear;
I'll teach you the true Discipline
of His religious Fear.
12 Let him who Length of life desires,
and prosp'rous Days would see,
13 From sland'ring Language keep his tongue,
his Lips from Falshood free:

14 The crooked Paths of vice decline,
and Virtue's Ways pursue;
Establish Peace where 'tis begun;
and where 'tis lost, renew.
15 The Lord from Heav'n beholds the Just
with favourable Eyes;
And, when distress'd, His gracious Ear
is open to their Cries.

16 But turns His wrathful Look on those
whom Mercy can't reclaim,
To cut them off, and from the Earth
blot out their hated Name.
17 Deliv'rance to His Saints he gives,
when His Relief they crave:
18 He's nigh to heal the broken Heart,
and contrite Spirit save.

19 The Wicked oft, but still in vain,
against the Just conspire;
20 For, under their Affliction's Weight,
He keeps their Bones intire.
21 The Wicked, from their wicked Arts,
their Ruin shall derive;
Whilst righteous Men, whom they detest,
shall them and theirs survive.

22 For God preserves the Souls of those
who on His Truth depend:
To them, and their Posterity,
His Blessings shall descend.