Judges WE can do this, it will take time to understand this book , its quite complicated Judges = ‘leader’ or ‘commander’ Writer of the book is Samuel The book describes how the Israelites abused the gift of God, bad things occurred, and God sent Judges to save them.

Chapter 1 – Conquest of the rest of Canaan Judah fights against the Canaanites They defeat Adoni-Bezek = devil, by cutting off fingers and big toes. He later dies Verse 10 (Kirjaath Arba). Arba = 4

Judah said to Simeon his brother ‘attack the Canaanites’ – but did not totally defeat them Chapter 2 Israel’s disobedience - ‘I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers’

‘But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?’ Death of Joshua Died at 110 years of age moses joshua Israel’s Unfaithfulness ‘They forsook the Lord and served Baal and Ashtoreths Because of this the Lord sent 12 judges to save them.... As we will see later on

Judges 3 Unbelieving – “And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons and they served their gods” God sends Othniel (1st judge of Israel) Othniel defeated Cushan-Rishathaim and -> 40 yrs of peace. Ashtoreth Baal

Othniel dies, again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. God sent Ehud (2nd judge) King Eglon (fattened cow) King Eglon v Judge Ehud

Judges 4 Next judge is Shamgar (3rd); only one verse about him and he killed 600 men of the Philistines Deborah and Barak (4th judge) Sisera, commander of army God spoke to Deborah to fight Sisera She tells Barak to fight Sisera, but he will only go if she goes with him Deborah barak

Barak attacks the army of Sisera and defeats them Sisera flees to the tent of Jael Jael welcomes him, then kills him

Judges 5 The song or praise of Deborah I honestly can not see a question coming from here.

Judges 6 - video Midianites Oppress Israel – took basically everything from them (animals, livestock) Next judge is Gideon (5th) Angel came to him saying the “The Lord is with you, you mighty man” “You shall save Israel from the Midianites” He says how can this be, give me a sign! Meat and unleavened bread consumed in the fire rock

Judges 7 Video worksheet

Judges 8 After defeating the Midianites, Gideon and the Israelites continued to conquer They were pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna (Z & Z) but got tired on the way. They asked for bread from the people of Succoth.... They refused. Gideon threatened to destroy them on their way back. The people of Penuel were exactly the same- so Gideon said the same thing. He pursued and defeated Zebah and Zalmunna (Z & Z) and came back to destroy the people of Succoth and Penuel. (All 4). He killed 77 of the elders of the people of Succoth

Gideon’s Ephod ---> He asks that each person give him their golden earrings. He collects all this plus pendants, purple robes and chains from previous victories. All -> ephod Ephod is an ornamental vest for the priest. ---> Gideon took this a bit too far, he had a lust for priesthood. However he was a man full of faith and peace occurred in his time as judge. Once he died what do you think happened to the children of Israel..?? ephod Purple robe Gold earrings chains

Judges 9 Son of Gideon called Abimelech (not a judge, but a king) He did something evil to his brothers? How many brothers in total were involved? One person hid and got away.... Who? Describe Abimelech from these verses in your own words

Abimelech was an evil person who had complete lust for power We will find out later if God repays his evil murders

Parable of the trees Jotham says this parable 4 trees, all talking about accepting Abimelech as king. Olive = rejects superficial power (rejects) Fig = Spirit of love (rejects) Vine = inner happiness admist pain (rejects) Bramble (thorny plants) = accepts Jotham also said that if you guys have acted in truth rejoice in Abimelech, but if not you will die (curse). bramble

Abimelech continues his lust for power Demonstration outside – axe Death of Abimelech -

Recap on last wk Was Abimelech a judge or king? What did he do to his brothers? What was the name of the guy who got away? In the parable of the trees, which tree accepted Abimelech as king? What was the point of using an axe last wk How did Abimelech die?

Judges 10 Judge Tola (No. 6), 23 yrs at peace Judge Jair (No. 7), 22 yrs at peace Once Judge Jair died what do you think happened? People of Ammon controlled them , but they did cry out to the Lord and he restored them.

Judge 11 Next judge is Jepthah (No. 8). Very interesting judge His brothers kicked him out because he was the son of a harlot (different mother) -> fleeing When war was building up between people of Ammon and Israel they called him back to be their leader. Jepthah sent messengers to the king of Ammon to make peace. King of Ammon insisted on war – Israel took his land

Just before the war Jephthah made a vow “If you will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering” Find out what happened and demonstrate it Jephthah’s victory

Judges 12 Jephthah’s conflict with Ephraim Jepthah fought and captured all the fords of Jordan so that no Ephraimite would escape. If he tried to escape the men this would follow; Ephraimite: let me cross over Gilead: Are you an Ephraimite? Ephraimite: no Gilead: Then say Shibboleth Ephraimite: Sibboleth (couldn’t pronounce it) Gilead takes and kills him. They actually killed 42000 Ephraimites.

Ibzan (9th judge). Gave 30 daughters away in marriage, then brought in 30 daughters from elsewhere. Elon (10th judge) – basically no action Addon (11th judge) – again not too much action Next and last judge is Samson (Judge no. ?). Start studying him this week, very important.

Video worksheets (13-16) Samson?