Judges
Fastening Torches to the Foxes Tails
It is important to note that the wife that Samson asked his parents to get for him apparently continued to live with her parents. He was probably taking her an expectant gift on his periodic visit. However, Samson learned that his bride had been given to another by her father who thought …
Israel’s Woman Liberator
We are introduced to Deborah, the prophetess, the fourth judge, and the only woman judge, who lived in central Palestine. For 20 years the Canaanites oppressed Israel and God raised up this prophetess to lead the way to victory (vv. 1-7). Associated with her was Barak, a military leader …
Servitude Under the Philistines and Ammonites
After Abimelech, Tola arose to rescue Israel (vv. 1-2). We know little about this sixth judge. He was a member of the tribe of Issachar and his regime lasted 23 years. Apparently, nothing outstanding occurred during his reign. Jair was the seventh judge who apparently was wealthy …
Guided by convenience rather than conviction
We are introduced to a young man from Bethlehem who is later identified as the grandson of Moses (vv. 7-9). His name was Jonathan, son of Geshom, son of Moses (18:30). It is not for certain why he was wandering alone, away from his family but it seems he was looking for a job and …
The Concluding Days of Gideon
Gideon who came through the test of adversity with flying colors was not so successful in the test of prosperity. After his successful encounters with the enemies of the Lord he yielded to two temptations which brought devastating consequences …
The Desertion of the Levite Concubine
When religious restraints are removed, we find the moral conditions of a country going down. This fact just shows the basic wickedness of man when he is apart from God. Here we find a religious leader of Israel whose life should have been a shining example of purity taking to himself …
Three Big Zeros
After six years of heroic reign Jephthah died. Israel now enters a period of twenty-five years under three minor judges. Dr. J. Vernon McGee in his commentary series says these three judges were practically zeros. They did something but they did not judge Israel as they should have done. Little …