Judges 1- Judah attacks the Canaanites and Perizites, under God's blessings. Defeats and captures Adoni-Bezek or "Lord of Bezek" and cuts his fingers and toes off. They go on to attacking other countries and conquer them.
Judges 2- An angel of the Lord meets them in Bokim and reveals to them of their disobedience. That they have broken covenant with God.
" After the whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelite's did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals (other gods). They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them.... In God's anger against them He gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them.. whom they were no longer able to resist... They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways"
Judges 3- The Lord began sending judges on behalf of the people--- In this order!
- Othniel- Son of Kenaz, Calabs younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israels judge and went to war. The land had peace for 40 yrs.
- Ehud- After the enemy attacked the Israelites, the Lord sent Ehud, Son of Gera the Benjamite. Described as a Left handed man. Ehud made a double edged sword about a cubit long, wore it on his right thigh under his clothing. Went to King Eglon with a secret. "As the King rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew his sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the belly of the king. Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for 80 years.
- Shamgar-Son of Anath, struck down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad.
- Deborah- A prophet, wife of Lappidoth led Israel as Judge. She says to Barak, son of Abinoam, "The Lord, the God of Israel commands you : Go, take ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabins army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands." Barak, afraid of going alone said that he would not go without Deborah. Deborah agrees to go with him, but says that because of his fear, the honor will be given into the hands of a woman. Which indeed it was. Sisera, king,, who now is fleeing on foot away from the battle runs to the tent of Jael, who is the wife of Heber the Kenite. He asks her for some water, she gives him milk. As he lies on the floor, covered in a blanket, he requests that she watch the tent opening for anyone who would be looking for him. "Jael, Hebers wife, picked up a peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground and he died.
- The Song of Deborah- "...when the people willingly offer themselves- praise the Lord... When you, Lord, went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel.... God chose new leaders, when war came to the city gates, but not a shield or spear was seen amount 40,000 in Israel. My heart is with Israels princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord!... March on my Soul. Be strong!..."
- Gideon- Son of Joash, found threshing wheat in a winepress. Angel of the Lord appeared "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" Gideon asks the Angel "But if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors spoke about?..." The angel says "Go in the strength you HAVE and save Israels out of Midians hand. Am I not sending you?" Gideons second excuse.. "My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." Gideon asks for a sign, then He offers a sacrifice, in which the Lord sends a fire over the sacrifice, consuming the meat and unleavened bread. Gideon built an altar. The Lord tells him to tear down his fathers altar to Baal and the Asherah pole to the other gods and to build the proper kind of altar unto God.The people wake up the next morning to see what has happened, demands to Joash that Gideon should be killed and Joash says to them "If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar. The people gave Gideon the name Jerub-Baal meaning "Let Baal contend with him". The Lord tells Gideon to go to war but Gideon asks for another sign. 2 Fleece methods---- Dew only on the fleece and dry ground, then dry fleece and dew on the ground! The Lord does both!
Who would have thought that the book of Judges would be so empowering! Amen and thank you Lord for the people you called to intercede on behalf of your people! But thank you so much more for your final judge... Jesus Christ! To intercede on behalf of the entire world!
Your Child-
A Gentile Saved by Grace
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