Introduction to Judges and Israel's Cycle of Sin
The Book of Joshua is a compelling narrative of Israel's conquest and settlement in the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, Moses' successor. It details the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, the fall of Jericho, and the subsequent battles that secured Israel's foothold in Canaan.
Joshua's unwavering faith and obedience to God are central themes, highlighting the importance of following divine guidance to achieve victory. The book concludes with the division of the land among the twelve tribes and Joshua's final exhortation to the people to remain faithful to God's covenant.
As the Book of Joshua closes, it sets the stage for the Book of Judges, which explores the challenges Israel faces after Joshua's death. Without a central leader, the tribes struggle with internal divisions and the temptation to adopt the customs of the surrounding nations.
The cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that emerges in Judges underscores the consequences of Israel's failure to fully drive out the Canaanites and maintain their covenant with God. This study of Judges will delve into the complex and often turbulent period of Israel's history, where the absence of strong leadership leads to moral and social decline, yet also showcases God's enduring mercy and willingness to raise up deliverers or "Judges" for His people.
I. Differences Between Joshua and Judges
Even though we are studying both of these books in the same course and they follow each other in the Bible not only in sequence but historically as well (Judges picks up where Joshua leaves off), there are important differences between these two accounts. Here are three main differences to note:
1. Leadership Structure
Joshua
The Book of Joshua is characterized by strong, centralized leadership under Joshua, who serves as the clear, divinely appointed leader of the Israelites. His leadership is marked by unified action and consistent obedience to God's commands.
Judges
In contrast, the Book of Judges portrays a period of decentralized leadership. After Joshua's death, Israel lacks a central figure of authority, leading to a fragmented society where various judges (regional leaders) arise sporadically to deliver Israel from its oppressors. This decentralized system results in a lack of national unity and consistency in following God's law.
2. Conquest vs. Settlement
Joshua
The primary focus of Joshua is on the conquest of Canaan. The book describes Israel's military campaigns to take possession of the Promised Land, emphasizing victories and the distribution of the land among the tribes.
Judges
The Book of Judges shifts focus to the period after the conquest, dealing with the challenges of settling and maintaining control over the land. It highlights the ongoing struggles with surrounding nations and the internal moral and spiritual decline of Israel.
3. Tone and Outcome
Joshua
The tone of Joshua is largely one of triumph and fulfillment, as the promises made to the patriarchs about the land are realized. The narrative is optimistic, portraying a period of relative success and divine favor as Israel secures its inheritance.
Judges
In contrast, Judges presents a much darker and more chaotic period in Israel's history. The tone is one of decline and instability, as the people repeatedly fall into idolatry and sin, resulting in cycles of oppression and deliverance. The book ends on a particularly grim note, reflecting the deep moral decay that has taken root in the absence of strong, faithful leadership.
II. Authorship and Dating
The Book of Judges is traditionally attributed to the prophet Samuel, though the exact authorship remains uncertain. The book is believed to have been written during the early monarchy, possibly around the time of King Saul or David, placing its composition around 1050 to 1000 BC. This dating aligns with the historical context described in the book, covering a period between the death of Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy in Israel.
The narrative reflects a time when Israel was loosely organized and frequently faced internal strife and external threats. The book's emphasis on the cyclical nature of Israel's disobedience and God's deliverance through various judges suggests that it was written with a theological purpose, possibly to explain the need for centralized leadership under a king. However, the exact date and authorship are not definitively stated in the text, leaving room for some debate even among conservative scholars.
III. Judges – The Cycle Begins – 1:1-3:30
The book of Judges describes a turbulent period in Israel's history, characterized by a recurring cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. This cycle highlights Israel's failure to fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants and their tendency to adopt the practices and gods of the surrounding nations.
1. Introduction to the Judges Period (Judges 1:1-36)
Incomplete Conquest and Disobedience (Judges 1:1-36)
After Joshua's death, the tribes of Israel continued to battle the remaining Canaanites in the land. However, they failed to fully obey God's command to drive out the inhabitants. Instead, they allowed many of them to remain, often subjecting them to forced labor which seemed like a profitable solution at the time. They controlled their enemies and extracted cheap labor from them. They did this even though God had warned them against this practice.
It came about when Israel became strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely.
- Judges 1:28
Joshua had warned against allowing the Canaanites to survive and remain in the land in Joshua 23:12-13. In his final address to the leaders of Israel, Joshua cautioned them about the dangers of intermingling with the remaining Canaanite nations and the consequences of failing to drive them out completely:
12For if you ever go back and cling to the rest of these nations, these which remain among you, and intermarry with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, 13know with certainty that the Lord your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they will be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the Lord your God has given you.
- Joshua 23:12-13
This passage emphasized the importance of complete obedience to God's command to remove the Canaanites, as allowing them to remain would lead to Israel's downfall through idolatry and disobedience.
Israel's Disobedience and Consequences (Judges 2:1-5)
The Angel of the Lord: An angel appeared at Bochim and rebuked Israel for not obeying God's command to drive out the inhabitants. The angel warned that the remaining Canaanites would become a snare to them, leading to their eventual downfall.
2and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.' But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done? 3Therefore I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.'"
- Judges 2:2-3
The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance (Judges 2:6-3:6)
Pattern Established: After the death of Joshua and the generation that followed, the Israelites began to worship the gods of the surrounding nations, abandoning the Lord. This led to a cycle of sin, oppression by foreign nations, crying out to God for help, and God raising up judges to deliver them.
16Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them. 17Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers.
- Judges 2:16-17
2. The First of the Judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar (Judges 3:7-31)
Othniel: The First Judge (Judges 3:7-11)
Israel's Sin: The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, forgetting the Lord and serving the Baals and Asherahs.
Oppression: God's anger burned against Israel, and He allowed them to be oppressed by Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Aram Naharaim, for eight years.
Deliverance: The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, as their deliverer. Othniel led Israel to victory over Cushan-Rishathaim, and the land had peace for forty years.
10The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim. 11Then the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
- Judges 3:10-11
Ehud: The Left-Handed Judge (Judges 3:12-30)
Israel's Sin: After Othniel's death, the Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Oppression: God allowed Eglon, king of Moab, to oppress Israel. The Moabites, with the help of the Ammonites and Amalekites, captured the City of Palms (Jericho), and Israel served Eglon for eighteen years.
Deliverance: The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin, as their deliverer. Ehud devised a plan to assassinate Eglon by bringing him tribute and then killing him with a double-edged sword.
Victory: After killing Eglon, Ehud rallied the Israelites, and they defeated about ten thousand Moabites, securing peace for eighty years.
20Ehud came to him while he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber. And Ehud said, "I have a message from God for you." And he arose from his seat. 21Ehud stretched out his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh and thrust it into his belly.
- Judges 3:20-21
Shamgar: The Judge with an Oxgoad (Judges 3:31)
Brief Account: Shamgar's account is brief but notable. He saved Israel by striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, a farming implement used to drive oxen.
Significance: Shamgar's victory, though succinctly described, highlights that God could raise up deliverers in unexpected ways and from various backgrounds.
After him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.
- Judges 3:31
IV. Summary of the Canaanite Gods Baal and Asherah and Their Worship Practices
1. Baal
Baal was one of the most prominent and widely worshiped gods in the Canaanite pantheon. He was considered a storm and fertility god, often associated with rain, thunderstorms, agriculture, and the growth of crops. The name "Baal" means "lord" or "master," and he was often depicted as a powerful deity who controlled the weather and brought fertility to the land.
Worship Practices
Sacrifices: Baal worship involved offering sacrifices, including animals and, in extreme cases, even human sacrifices. These offerings were meant to appease Baal and ensure his favor, particularly for agricultural success.
Sexual Rituals: Fertility rituals were a central part of Baal worship. These often included temple prostitution, where sexual acts were performed in the belief that they would encourage Baal to bring fertility to the land and people.
Idolatry: Baal was often worshiped through idols, which were set up in high places, sacred groves, or temples dedicated to him. These idols or representations were thought to embody the presence of Baal, making the act of worship direct and personal for the adherents.
2. Asherah
Asherah was a mother goddess and was considered the consort of the chief god El and, in later traditions, the consort of Baal. She was associated with fertility, motherhood, and sexuality, often depicted as a nurturing and life-giving deity. Asherah was also sometimes referred to as the "Queen of Heaven."
Worship Practices:
Asherah Poles: Worship of Asherah commonly involved the setting up of sacred trees or wooden poles, known as "Asherah poles," beside altars or in high places. These poles were symbols of fertility and were integral to her worship.
Idolatry and Offerings: As with Baal, worshipers of Asherah would offer sacrifices, burn incense, and present food offerings to her. Idols and images of Asherah were often placed alongside those of Baal, reflecting their association in Canaanite religion.
Syncretism with Yahweh Worship: In some periods of Israelite history, the worship of Asherah was syncretized with the worship of Yahweh, leading to the inclusion of Asherah poles and practices within what was supposed to be exclusive worship of Yahweh. This syncretism was strongly condemned by the prophets and is highlighted as one of the major sins that led to Israel's downfall.
Conclusion
The worship of Baal and Asherah represented a direct challenge to the worship of Yahweh in ancient Israel. Their practices, particularly the fertility rituals and the use of idols, were contrary to the commandments given to the Israelites.
The repeated lapses into Baal and Asherah worship by the Israelites during the period of the Judges and later periods led to severe consequences, including divine judgment and eventual exile. The Bible frequently condemns these practices and the influence they had on the people of Israel, urging them to return to exclusive worship of Yahweh.
V. The Allure of Pagan Gods
The Israelites were repeatedly drawn into the worship of Baal and Asherah for several reasons, each reflecting the cultural and religious pressures they faced in Canaan. Here are three key reasons why they were easily led into this idolatry:
1. Cultural Assimilation and Influence of Canaanite Practices
Reason: The Israelites settled in a land where Canaanite religion and culture were deeply entrenched. As they interacted with the Canaanites through trade, intermarriage, and social relations, they were exposed to and influenced by the religious practices of their neighbors.
Allure: The proximity and everyday interactions with Canaanites made the worship of Baal and Asherah seem normal and socially acceptable. The Israelites may have found it easier to adopt the religious practices of the dominant culture around them, especially as they sought to fit in and prosper in the land.
2. Agricultural Appeal and the Promise of Fertility
Reason: Baal and Asherah were fertility deities, associated with rain, crops, and the productivity of the land—critical concerns for a primarily agrarian society. The Israelites, who depended on successful harvests for their survival, were tempted to seek the favor of these gods to ensure the fertility of their land and livestock.
Allure: The worship of Baal and Asherah promised tangible, immediate benefits in the form of rain, bountiful crops, and healthy livestock. This pragmatic appeal, coupled with the uncertainty of agricultural success, led many Israelites to hedge their bets by participating in these fertility rituals alongside their worship of Yahweh.
3. Sexual Practices and Sensual Temptation
Reason: The worship of Baal and Asherah often involved ritualistic sexual practices, including temple prostitution, which were believed to stimulate the fertility of the land and the people. These practices were not only religiously significant but also provided an outlet for physical desires.
Allure: The incorporation of sexual acts into religious worship added a powerful, sensual allure to the rituals associated with Baal and Asherah. This appeal to base instincts and the blending of physical pleasure with religious observance made it difficult for some Israelites to resist participating in these practices, despite the clear prohibitions in their own faith.
Conclusion
The allure of Baal and Asherah worship lay in the combination of cultural pressure, the practical concerns of agricultural fertility, and the temptation of sensual practices.
These factors, compounded by the Israelites' failure to fully separate themselves from the Canaanite populations and their practices, made it easy for them to be led astray, repeatedly falling into idolatry despite the warnings and commandments of Yahweh.
Summary
The early chapters of Judges introduce a recurring cycle of sin and deliverance that characterizes the entire period of the judges. This cycle reflects Israel's ongoing struggle to remain faithful to God in a land filled with temptation and idolatry.
The first three judges—Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar—demonstrate God's willingness to deliver His people when they repent, even as they repeatedly fall into sin. These judges, each with their unique backgrounds and methods, highlight the diversity of God's deliverance and the importance of relying on Him for salvation.
Lessons
Obvious Lesson:
The Importance of Courage and Obedience in Following God's Call
Lesson: The opening chapters of Joshua emphasize the importance of courage and obedience when following God's call. In Joshua 1:6-9, God repeatedly commands Joshua to be "strong and courageous" as he leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua's success is directly tied to his willingness to obey God's commands and trust in His promises.
Modern Application: For believers today, this lesson highlights that when God calls us to a task—whether it be a new venture, a challenging situation, or a step of faith—He also provides the strength and guidance needed to accomplish it.
Courage and obedience are essential in fulfilling God's purposes in our lives. By immersing ourselves in God's Word, as Joshua was instructed to do (Joshua 1:8), we can remain strong and courageous, trusting that God will be with us in every step we take.
Less Obvious Lesson:
The Significance of Remembrance and Preparation
Lesson: A less immediately obvious lesson from Joshua 1-3 is the significance of remembrance and preparation before entering into new phases of life or spiritual growth.
In Joshua 3, before crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites were instructed to consecrate themselves (Joshua 3:5). Additionally, the crossing of the Jordan was marked by a miraculous act of God, and the event served as a memorial to future generations of God's faithfulness.
Modern Application: This teaches us that before embarking on new endeavors or phases in life, it is crucial to take time for spiritual preparation and to remember God's past faithfulness. Consecration and reflection help us to align our hearts with God's will and to enter new challenges with a mindset of trust and reliance on Him.
Moreover, creating "memorials" or setting aside moments to remember God's past works in our lives can strengthen our faith and provide encouragement during future trials. This lesson encourages us to not only move forward with courage but to do so with intentional preparation and a heart of remembrance.