1. Overview of the Judges Judges 2:6-3:6
Lesson 9
Overview of the Judges
Judges 2:6-3:6

2. The Beginning of the Cycle
The people served Jehovah all the days of Joshua and the days of the elders who outlived Joshua
Joshua died at the age of 110
He was buried in his inheritance, Timnath Heres
After this generation, there arose a generation that did not know the Lord, nor the work He did for Israel

3. The Cycle Judges 2:11-19
The children of Israel served the Baals and forsook Jehovah
Jehovah became angry and delivered them into the hands of their enemies
They would cry out because of their opression
Jehovah would raise up a judge to deliver them
There would be peace for a while

4. The Canaanites Are Left
God did not drive out the inhabitants of the land
This is because the Israelites transgressed the covenant
These nations were left as a test to Israel
These nations were left to teach Israel the experience of war without God’s help
It was on the basis of the covenant between Israel and God that he would bless or curse them.

5. This is the land God promised each tribe but they did not take all of their land from the enemies. They turned to the Idols of their enemies.

6. The covenant was with all Israel
Which included the generations to follow
Keep this covenant before you and before your children Deut. 6:6-9
God’s blessings have always been conditional
This is true today as well as in Old Testament
Our faith in the promise of God today can be seen in how He dealt with his children of old
Blessings and punishments are necessary parts of God’s justice and mercy

7. The Judges Othniel Ehud Shamgar Deborah Gideon Abimilech Tola Jair
Jephthah
Ibzan
Elon
Abdon
Samson
Eli
Samuel

8. The Time of the Judges
The period extends from Othniel (nephew to Caleb) to Saul
Be aware that skeptics date the conquest much later than the Bible does
Saul is usually dated at around BC
Notice 1 Kings 6:1. Solomon began his reign in 961 BC
4 years later is 957
480 years earlier is 1437
40 years later is 1397, when they enter the land
Josh 14:7, the initial battles took 5 or 6 years
Give years for Joshua’s generation to die and we come to BC

9. Period of Judges This is an exciting period of Israelite history
There is sadness when Israel would forsake God and fail
There is joy to see them repent and turn back to Him
Delight in seeing how God would rescue them

10. The Recurring Cycle in Judges
Apostasy
Oppression
Repentance
Deliverance
Peace

11. The term Judge
They were not lawyers and judges in the court as we think of judges today
Why is this term used to free Isarel from bondage?
When Israel sinned God Judged them because that is what they deserved
Upon repentance God forgave them
They would again be in covenant relationship with Him and His grace again

12. The Judges

13. Review
Look at highlights of Joshua