Sermon Central
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The Book Of Judges
Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 5, 2018 (message contributor)
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1. Introduction To Judges
Contributed on Feb 5, 2018
The rulership of some of the judges overlap because not all of them ruled over the entire land. Judges describes cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance.
INTRODUCTION The book bears the fitting name Judges, which refers to unique leaders God gave to His people for their preservation against their enemies. “16Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. 17And yet they would not hearken ...read more
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2. Failure Of Judah
Contributed on Feb 12, 2018
After the death of Joshua, the nation of Israel was ruled by judges, or heroic military deliverers, for about 300 years until the united monarchy was established under King Saul. The era of the judges was a time of instability and moral depravity . . .
Chapter 1 Failure of Judah [Judges 1:1-1.20] Scripture 1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? 2 And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have ...read more
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3. Failure Of Benjamin
Contributed on Feb 26, 2018
Benjamin failed. Jerusalem is listed as belonging to Benjamin (Jg. 18:28[2]) as well as to Judah; it was located on the border between these two tribes. The upper part of the city, called Mount Zion, was not taken until the time of David. The lower. . . .
Chapter 2 Failure of Benjamin [Judges 1:21] Scripture 21 And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. Commentary Jews believe that Judges was written by ...read more
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4. Failure Of Joseph
Contributed on Mar 12, 2018
They attacked the city of Bethel, formerly called Luz, and destroyed it. Excavations at the site of Bethel reveal burned brick; ash filled earth, and charred debris, evidence of the thorough devastation of this Canaanite city by the Israelites.
Chapter 3 Failure of Joseph [Judges 1:22–29] Scripture 22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. 23 And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) 24 And the spies saw a man come forth ...read more
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5. Failure Of Zebulun
Contributed on Mar 14, 2018
Included in Zebulon’s inheritance was Beth-lehem, the “house of bread,” not to be confused with the birthplace of Christ. This Beth-lehem is located just west of Nazareth. Thus, it was of the utmost importance that Micah, in his prophecy of the birt . . .
Failure of Zebulun [Judges 1:30] Scripture 30 Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. Commentary Zebulun (See Article 1.7; Zebulun, Tribe of) faced the same, ...read more
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6. Failure Of Asher
Contributed on Apr 20, 2018
Asher conducted itself worse than any of the other tribes, not only by leaving more towns than any of them in the hands of the Canaanites, but in submitting to the Canaanites instead of making them pay tribute.
Chapter 5 Failure of Asher [Judges 1:31, 32] Scripture 31 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: 32 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the ...read more
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7. Failure Of Naphtali
Contributed on May 5, 2018
After their victory at APHEK, the Philistines took the ARK OF THE COVENANT to Ashdod and Ekron, cities upon which God’s judgment quickly fell . The ark was removed then to Beth Shemesh , where it remained until it was taken to KIRJATH JEARIM.
Chapter 6 Failure of Naphtali [Judges 1:33] Scripture 33 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of ...read more
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8. Failure Of Dan
Contributed on May 19, 2018
The debased Amorites were a gangrenous limb of the human race. After bearing with them for hundreds of years, God decided that the only solution was amputation.
Chapter 7 Failure of Dan [Judges 1:34-36] Scripture 34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: 35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the ...read more
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9. Angel Announces Judgment
Contributed on Jun 2, 2018
Israel's weeping was not a sign of true repentance. It was a passing emotional experience that brought no change to their hearts.
Chapter 8 Angel Announces Judgment [Judges 2:1–5] Scripture 1And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. ...read more
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10. Godly Generation Dies
Contributed on Jun 3, 2018
The older generation failed to teach the younger generation God’s truth as Moses had commanded them (Deut. 6:1–9 ). It is bad enough that they forgot Joshua, their second greatest leader, but how could they forget the Lord?
Chapter 9 Godly Generation Dies [Judges 2.6-10] Scripture 6 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land. 7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived ...read more
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11. Judgment Of God Is Described
Contributed on Jun 16, 2018
Israel missed the opportunity to be a Witness for Jehovah. The nations in Canaan were in terrible bondage to ignorance, idolatry, and immorality, and they desperately needed to know the true God of Israel.
Chapter 10 Judgment of God Is Described [Judges 2.11-19] Scripture 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the ...read more
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12. Enemy Is Left As A Test
Contributed on Jun 30, 2018
Because Israel persisted in disobedience, God decided to allow the nations to remain in the land as the means to chastise His people, and to test Israel and to train succeeding generations for war.
Chapter 11 Enemy Is Left as a Test [Judges 2.20–3.4] Scripture 20 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; 21 I also will not ...read more
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13. The Judge Othniel
Contributed on Jul 14, 2018
God had put a wall between Israel and her neighbors, not because Israel was better than any other nation, but because she was different. Instead of worshipping idols, the Jews worshipped the one true God, who made the heavens and the earth.
Chapter 12 The Judge Othniel [Judges 3.5-3.11] Scripture 5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: 6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and ...read more
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14. The Judge Ehud
Contributed on Jul 28, 2018
They made the Israelites serve them, that is, they exacted tribute from them, either the fruits of the earth in kind, or money in lieu of them. They neglected the service of God, and did not pay him his tribute; therefore, God recovered from them . . . .
Chapter 13 The Judge Ehud [Judges 3.12-3.30] Scripture 12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees done evil ...read more
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15. The Judge Shamgar
Contributed on Aug 11, 2018
The verse does not state that Shamgar was in fact a judge, but that he also delivered Israel. Therefore, his activity was similar to that of the judges.
Chapter 14 The Judge Shamgar [Judges 3.31] http://theperiodofthejudges.yolasite.com Scripture 31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. Commentary 31 And after him was Shamgar the ...read more
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16. Deborah And Barak Are Called
Contributed on Aug 25, 2018
After the death of Ehud the eighty-year period of rest came to an end, and the Israelites once more sinned against God.
Chapter 15 Deborah and Barak Are Called [Judges 4:1–11] Scripture 1And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. 2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which ...read more
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17. Canaanites Are Defeated
Contributed on Sep 8, 2018
What a strange victory! God used two women, a jug of milk, a hammer, a tent peg, and a storm to defeat the enemy!
Chapter 16 Canaanites Are Defeated [Judges 4:12–24] Scripture 12 And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. 13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of ...read more
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18. Song Of Deborah And Barak
Contributed on Sep 22, 2018
Deborah and Barak cooperated in fighting the battle and also in praising the Lord . Their song reveals some truths about our spiritual warfare in this world.
Chapter 17 Song of Deborah and Barak [Judges 5:1–31] Scripture 1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, 2 Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. 3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will ...read more
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19. Israel Sins
Contributed on Oct 6, 2018
Gideon desired a sign from the Lord, that Israel would be saved by his hand, which was granted and repeated.
Chapter 18 Israel Sins Judges 6:1–10 Text 1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. 2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens ...read more
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20. An Angel Sends Gideon To Deliver Them
Contributed on Oct 20, 2018
When Israel cried out to the Lord for help, a prophet was sent to remind them of their idolatry. Then the Angel of the Lord, whom we believe to be the reincarnate Christ, appeared to a man of Manasseh named Gideon.
Chapter 19: An Angel Sends Gideon to Deliver Them Judges 6:11-16 11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon (Gr. Gedeon) threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And ...read more
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21. Chapter 20: Gideon’s Present Consumed By Fire
Contributed on Nov 3, 2018
Here in the passage before us, we see how the flesh is the enemy of God’s calling.
Chapter 20: Gideon’s Present Consumed by Fire Judges 6:17-32 17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. 18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present (or, meat offering), and set it before ...read more
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22. Gideon Summons An Army
Contributed on Nov 18, 2018
"The Lord God commissioned Gideon to attempt the deliverance of Israel from their bondage to this foreign army."
Chapter 21: Gideon Summons an Army Judges 6:33-36 Scripture 33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel. 34 But the Spirit of the LORD came (Heb. Clothed) upon Gideon, and he blew a ...read more
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23. Gideon Asks For Signs
Contributed on Nov 20, 2018
Gideon doubted God’s promise. Did God really want him to lead God’s army? What did he know about warfare? After all he was only an ordinary farmer.
Chapter 18.2.d: Gideon Asks for Signs Judges 6:37-40 Scripture 37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. 38 And it was so: for ...read more
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24. The Direction God Gave Gideon
Contributed on Dec 1, 2018
The really dangerous enemies were within the hearts of Gideon’s soldiers. Fear was one of them, and he sent 22,000 men home.
Chapter 23: The Direction God Gave Gideon for the Modeling of the Army Judges 7.1-7.8 Scripture 1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the ...read more
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25. The Encouragement God Gave Gideon To Attack
Contributed on Dec 6, 2018
They frankly believe that God is going to deliver the Midianites into the hands of Gideon and his host.
Chapter 24: The Encouragement God Gave Gideon to Attack Judges 7.9-7.15 Scripture 9 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand. 10 But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down ...read more
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26. How Gideon Formed His Attack On The Enemy Camp
Contributed on Jan 10, 2019
Gideon’s battle plan appears to have been carefully worked out, but whether it was beholden to his spiritual illumination we cannot say. But what we can say is that his methods were a type of psychological warfare.
Chapter 25 How Gideon Formed His Attack on the Enemy Camp [Judges 7.16-7.20] Scripture 16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do ...read more
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27. How Gideon Formed His Attack On The Enemy Camp
Contributed on Feb 9, 2019
Gideon’s battle plan appears to have been carefully worked out, but whether it was beholden to his spiritual illumination we cannot say. But what we can say is that his methods were a type of psychological warfare.
Chapter 25 How Gideon Formed His Attack on the Enemy Camp [Judges 7.16-7.20] Scripture 16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do ...read more
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28. The Success Of This Attack [judges 7.21-7.25]
Contributed on Feb 17, 2019
And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
Chapter 26 The Success of This Attack [Judges 7.21-7.25] Scripture 21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. 22 And the three hundred , and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and ...read more
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29. Gideon Prudently Pacifies The Offended Ephramites
Contributed on Mar 20, 2019
They were angry with Gideon because they were left out and did not share in the glory. Gideon tactfully gave them the “soft answer” that healed the wounds and prevented division. Better to do that than to start another war.
Chapter 27 Gideon Prudently Pacifies the Offended Ephramites [Judges 8.1-8.4] Scripture 1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. 2 And he said unto them, ...read more
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30. The Cynical
Contributed on Mar 31, 2019
Gideon, as a valiant general, was pursuing the remaining Midianites, and bravely following up on his first blow which brought a very great slaughter to the enemy: dead were 120,000 men.
Chapter 28 The Cynical [Judges 8.5-8.9] Scripture 5Then he said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.” 6And the leaders of Succoth said, “Are the hands of Zebah and ...read more