THE TITLE: The title of this book is taken from Judges 2:16: ''Then the LORD raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them.'' Yet, the title can be somewhat misleading if one has in mind a modern judge who delivers judgment in trials. A more accurate title for the role of these leaders in Judges might be deliverer, ruler, or warlord. In the Hebrew Bible, Judges is included among the ''Former Prophets'' (Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, and 1-2 Kings) not among the historical books as in Christian Bibles (Joshua through Esther), stressing the view of the judges as God's appointed agents of change.
THE AUTHOR: The author is anonymous. Jewish tradition attributed the authorship to Samuel, which is likely the case.
THE OCCASION: The book of Judges tells the story of Israel between Joshua and the beginning of the kingship (approx. 1050-950 B.C.). It's likely that the stories were written after Israel had a king because the narrator repeatedly says the stories took place ''before kings ruled Israel'' (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The book also says that the Jebusites were still in control of Jerusalem (1:21), a situation that changed when David became king and removed them (2 Sam 5:6). Interestingly, the book of Judges covers about one-fourth of the historical period described in the Old Testament (see 11:26; approx. 300-350 years).
THE PURPOSE:To show that God remains faithful to His people despite their unfaithfulness to Him. As a result, He periodically raises up judges to deliverer them.However, the ultimate solution is not to be found in the ''judges'' but in a king who fulfills the ideal of Deuteronomy 17:14-20.
THE THEME: Obedience brings God's blessing; disobedience brings God's discipline.
SUB THEMES: There are several key themes in Judges: (1) Israel ''doing evil'' (13 times, 2:11; 3:7,
12 [2x]; 4:1; 6:1, 29; 7:13, 14, 22; 10:6, 18, 13:1); (2) The role of women in Judges as both heroines and victims; (3) the prominent role of the angel of the Lord (59 times in OT, 18 times in Judges); and (4) that there was no king in Israel and thus spiritual, moral, ethical, and legal anarchy reigned (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).
KEY WORDS: ''Judge,'' ''judged,'' ''judgment'' (22 times), ''evil'' (14 times), ''cycles,'' ''defeat,'' ''test,'' and ''covenant.''
KEY PHRASE: ''The sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord'' (2:11; 3:12; 4:1; 10:6; 13:1).
KEY VERSES: Judges 2:18-21: ''When the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them. But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, 'Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers and has not listened to My voice, I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died.'''
Judges 21:25: ''In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.''
CHRIST IN JUDGES: The book of Judges graphically presents the Lord's character in contrast with that of Israel. He justly punishes them for their sins, but in love and mercy delivers them in response to their cry of repentance. Although the judges are called the deliverers or saviors of their people, the Lord is the true Savior. Judges emphasizes that humanity needs a divine Savior. Throughout history, Israel has sinned. As the Lord of history, Yahweh has always turned their hearts to Him. Presently, in the church age, He sent Jesus as our Savior to redeem us from sin and death.
