Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 53
IMMERSED IN JUDGES
T H E B O O K O F J U D G E S D E S C R I B E S the period in Israel’s history between
its conquest of the Promised Land and the anointing of the nation’s
first king. With each new generation, one question keeps appearing:
Will Israel remain committed to its covenant relationship with God?
In answering this crucial question, the book of Judges expresses two
themes. It shows that Israel has a recurring problem with idolatry and
turning away from God, and it makes the case that the nation would
benefit from having a single, strong leader—particularly one from the
tribe of Judah.
The status of God’s covenant bond with his people is a central concern throughout the Bible. At this point in the Story, the book of Judges
seems to suggest that Israel could be led into more faithful covenant-
keeping by a strong and worthy king.
The three major sections in the book’s literary structure help to make a
case for a monarchy in Israel. The brief opening part of the book centers on the question of Israel’s loyalty to God and to the covenant after
Joshua’s death. Will the people follow God’s instructions? Will they
take full possession of the land? In a pattern that repeats throughout
the book, Israel falls short of God’s plan and then suffers the inevitable
consequences.
The second and largest part of the book tells the story of twelve
judges (or rescuers) chosen by God to rescue Israel from its enemies.
The number matches the number of Israel’s tribes and seems designed
to show that the nation will remain in disunity and confusion if it relies
on temporary leaders who only arise to deal with an immediate crisis.
There is a pronounced pattern in the accounts of the judges, a dismal
cycle in which Israel fails to keep its covenant with God, falls under
God’s judgment, and cries out in distress, after which God raises up a
rescuer to save them. The cycle repeats again and again, showing that
Israel’s present status as a tribal confederation is not helping it fulfill
its covenant calling in the world. The people continually forget their
identity as God’s chosen people and fail to demonstrate through their
lives that God is their King.
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