The book of Judges continues Israel’s inhabitance of the promised land. It covers an approximately 200-year period following directly after the conclusion of the book of Joshua. As you may recall, Joshua led the great advance of the people of Israel into the promised land. Unfortunately, the conquest was left incomplete, an issue which will arise again and again in the book of Judges. 

History Doesn’t Repeat, but It Does Rhyme

The book of Judges does not consist of a single narrative. Rather, Judges contains a series of cyclic narratives stretched out over the 200-year period. The lack of complete conquest leads to a 4-fold repeating pattern which is elucidated in Judges 2. First, the people surrounded by pagans begins to adopt the worship of pagan gods. In response to their unfaithfulness, God uses the pagan nations to punish them. The people repent and call out to God. Finally, God demonstrates his faithfulness by raising up a leader or “Judge” to deliver them from their pagan neighbors. Thus, the theme of the people’s unfaithfulness and God’s faithfulness dominates the book of Judges. 

What Is a Judge?

Israel has no king but God alone. Thus, judges are human instruments that God utilizes to facilitate His direct intervention on behalf of the people. The judges themselves are not royal. In fact, they are often of the little repute as exemplified by Gideon’s response when God calls him,

“But he answered him, “Please, my Lord, how can I save Israel? My family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”

The LORD said to him: I will be with you, ...”

(Judges 6:15-16)

In this way, the judges’ weakness demonstrates the power of God. It is God who is acting to deliver the Israelites within their distress. 

What a Tragedy

The Judges can often times be mistaken as heroes. However, they are not heroes. Rather, they exemplify the tragic character of the whole nation of Israel. No where is this better exemplified in than in the life of the book’s most famous character Samson. 

Most of us know the outline of the story. Samson is a man gifted by God with heroic strength. However, he falls into the hands of the Philistines due to his inability to resist temptation. Seduced by the pagan woman Delilah he is taken prisoner and blinded. However, upon repentance his strength is restored and he destroys the pagan temple while giving up his life and smiting the Philistines. 

The real story goes much deeper. Samson, perhaps more than any other judge, is a microcosm for the whole nation of Israel. Samson, like Israel is the chosen of God. His very birth is foretold by an angel and he is set apart just as the nation of Israel was set apart during the exodus. 

“An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her: Though you are barren and have had no children, you will conceive and bear a son. Now, then, be careful to drink no wine or beer and to eat nothing unclean, for you will conceive and bear a son. No razor shall touch his head, for the boy is to be a nazirite for God from the womb.” 

(Judges 13:3-5)

However, just like Israel, Samson will forsake his special status, give into the temptation for pagan women (a symbol for taking on pagan ways), and be unfaithful to his vow. This is highlighted in the names Samson and Delilah. The name Samson means “sun” in Hebrew. Delilah means “weakened” and also seems to play upon the Hebrew word “lalya” which means night. As such, the story portrays the Israelite “sun” being “weakened” and falling into the darkness of the pagan “night”. This is over and over again the story of Israel in the promise land. Still, even though Samson is unfaithful, God’s assistance follows repentance. Therefore, the story is a lesson for the entire nation. 

What We Learn from Judges

There are several key themes we can take away from Judges. First, God acts on behalf of the poor and oppressed. Secondly, trials and tribulations are a form of discipline, “for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” (Hebrews 12:6) They are meant to elicit repentance and greater fidelity to God. Finally, God always remains faithful and will assist the humble and repentant. God is tireless in His patience and willingness to forgive.