Insights on Israel's Spiritual Decline in the Book of Judges
Explore the narrative of Israel's apostasy and decline as depicted in the Book of Judges. Witness their struggle with idolatry, worldly influence through inter-faith marriage, and God's reaction to their disobedience. The stories of the Judges reveal the consequences of Israel's abandonment of Yahweh and the cyclical nature of their faithlessness.
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The Bible Jesus Used A Gospel-Centered Glance at the Old Testament Bethlehem Baptist Church, 2011 2012 Jason S. DeRouchie
Judges at a Glance Introduction: Israel s Canaanization The Judges: Yahweh s Response to Israel s Canaanization Conclusion: The Effects of Israel s Canaanization 1:1 2:23 3:1 16:31 17:1 21:25
The nature of the apostasy (2:1113) And the people did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (2:11; cf. 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6; 13:1) Idolatry: they served the Baals and went after other gods (2:11 12; cf. 3:6; 10:14; 18:24). One means to Israel s downfall: Worldly influence through inter-faith marriage. Judg. 3:6 7. And the daughters they took to themselves for wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods. 7And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh.
A result of Israels downfall: Gods refusal to listen to prayer. Judg. 10:13 14. You have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. 14Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress. A side word to husbands: 1 Pet. 3:7. Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
An example of Israels downfall: Complete blindness, like the idols they serve (Judg. 17 18). Judg. 17:6. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judg. 18:24. You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? Judg. 18:30. And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land.
The Judges and Israels Degeneracy: And the people did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (2:11) Judge Tribe of Origin Enemy Opposition Scripture 1. Othniel Judah Mesopotamia 3:7 11 2. Ehud Benjamin Moab 3:12 30 I Parenthesis 1: Governorship of Shamgar 3:31 3. Deborah & Barak Ephraim Canaan 4:1 5:31 4. Gideon Manasseh Midian 6:1 9:57 Parenthesis 2: Governorship of Tola & Jair 10:1 5 5. Jephthah Gilead Ammon 10:6 12:7 II Parenthesis 3: Governorship of Ebzan, Elon, & Abdon 12:8 15 6. Samson Dan Philistia 13:1 16:31
The Judges and Israels Degeneracy: And the people did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (2:11) Erosion of thought: Hesitance of Barak (4:8 9) Idolatry of Gideon (8:27) Foolish vow of Jephthah (11:30 31) Samson s poor choice of women (chs. 14 16) Benjamin s foolish defense of the immorality and brutality of those from Gibeah (20:13)
Erosion of relationships: Positive: After the story of Caleb s giving Achsah to Othniel for a wife (1:12 15), there are no satisfying relationships in the book. A father sacrifices his daughter (11:39) Samson s illicit relationships with pagan prostitutes (16:1 4) Brutal, superficial marriages (14:16 17; 19:4 30; 21:12 23)
Exploitation of women Positive: Caleb s giving Achsah to Othniel for a wife (1:12 15): (1) She was blessed by her father (rather than being killed by him!); (2) She inspired a man to great acts of obedience to God (rather than seducing him); (3) She married within the covenant community (rather than taking a Canaanite spouse).
Exploitation of women Positive: Caleb s giving Achsah to Othniel for a wife (1:12 15) Jael forced into the unlikely role of military her because Barak refused to accept his mission without the aid of a woman (4:9). Jepthah s daughter becomes the innocent victim of her father s foolish decision (11:39). Samson s wife and father-in-law are burned to death as a consequence of his actions (15:6). The Levites unnamed concubine is denied personhood, brutalized, and dismembered (ch. 19).
All the women of Benjamin destroyed by civil war (20:48). The women found from other tribes to replace them were either intentionally orphaned by brutal destruction of their immediate families (21:11 23) or simply kidnapped by desperate Benjaminte bachelors.
Erosion of rule: The powerful exploit the weak (18:14; 19:14 31) Chaos prevails: In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (17:6; 21:25; cf. 18:1; 19:1) Conclusion: Israel needs a KING!
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Characteristics of Idolatry
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. Do you ever pray and feel that God is not there? Characteristics of Idolatry
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. Do you ever pray and feel that God is not there? Characteristics of Idolatry Guaranteed (Physical & visible)
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. Do you ever pray and feel that God is not there? 2. Are you ever prone toward self-righteousness or tempted with materialism? Characteristics of Idolatry Guaranteed (Physical & visible)
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. Do you ever pray and feel that God is not there? 2. Are you ever prone toward self-righteousness or tempted with materialism? Characteristics of Idolatry Guaranteed (Physical & visible) Selfish & Works-Oriented (Materialism; legalism)
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. Do you ever pray and feel that God is not there? 2. Are you ever prone toward self-righteousness or tempted with materialism? 3. Do you ever find it easier to please men rather than God or to love yourself over others? Characteristics of Idolatry Guaranteed (Physical & visible) Selfish & Works-Oriented (Materialism; legalism)
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. Do you ever pray and feel that God is not there? 2. Are you ever prone toward self-righteousness or tempted with materialism? 3. Do you ever find it easier to please men rather than God or to love yourself over others? Characteristics of Idolatry Guaranteed (Physical & visible) Selfish & Works-Oriented (Materialism; legalism) Easy (Ethical relativity)
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. Do you ever pray and feel that God is not there? 2. Are you ever prone toward self-righteousness or tempted with materialism? 3. Do you ever find it easier to please men rather than God or to love yourself over others? 4. Do you ever find that following God gets in the way of your own agenda? Characteristics of Idolatry Guaranteed (Physical & visible) Selfish & Works-Oriented (Materialism; legalism) Easy (Ethical relativity)
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Question 1. Do you ever pray and feel that God is not there? 2. Are you ever prone toward self-righteousness or tempted with materialism? 3. Do you ever find it easier to please men rather than God or to love yourself over others? 4. Do you ever find that following God gets in the way of your own agenda? Characteristics of Idolatry Guaranteed (Physical & visible) Selfish & Works-Oriented (Materialism; legalism) Easy (Ethical relativity) Convenient (Anywhere; anytime)
Question 5. Are you ever prone to follow the crowd, even when you know the majority is wrong? Characteristics of Idolatry
Question 5. Are you ever prone to follow the crowd, even when you know the majority is wrong? Characteristics of Idolatry Normal(Everybody s doing it)
Question 5. Are you ever prone to follow the crowd, even when you know the majority is wrong? 6. When you are sick, would you rather see a specialist or a general practitioner? Characteristics of Idolatry Normal(Everybody s doing it)
Question 5. Are you ever prone to follow the crowd, even when you know the majority is wrong? 6. When you are sick, would you rather see a specialist or a general practitioner? Characteristics of Idolatry Normal(Everybody s doing it) Logical (Specialization system)
Question 5. Are you ever prone to follow the crowd, even when you know the majority is wrong? 6. When you are sick, would you rather see a specialist or a general practitioner? 7. Do you ever turn away from God toward worldly pleasures? Characteristics of Idolatry Normal(Everybody s doing it) Logical (Specialization system)
Question 5. Are you ever prone to follow the crowd, even when you know the majority is wrong? 6. When you are sick, would you rather see a specialist or a general practitioner? 7. Do you ever turn away from God toward worldly pleasures? Characteristics of Idolatry Normal(Everybody s doing it) Logical (Specialization system) Sensuous (If it feels good, do it)
What Made Idolatry So Attractive? Characteristics of Idolatry 1. Guaranteed 2. Selfish & Works-Oriented 3. Easy 4. Convenient 5. Normal 6. Logical 7. Sensuous
