“Israel's Judges”

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved 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 afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them.

(Judges 2.18-19)

The cycle of rebellion and revival throughout the book of Judges is disappointing, but instructive. We expect better from the people of God; but God’s people struggle to stay faithful today, too. What sort of leaders did God give Israel, when they cried to him?

Othniel

This first judge was the nephew of Caleb, a man of great strength and integrity who had stood with Joshua against the rest of the nation’s cowardice, in favor of invading the promised land when God first instructed Israel to do so. Othniel had his uncle’s grit, readily going to battle to put an end to eight years of persecution by a Mesopotamian king, and ushering in a forty-year period of stability and relative peace (Jg 3.7-11).

Ehud

Ehud was the most famous left-handed man in the Bible, and his exploits seemed to justify the suspicion many cultures harbored against those so afflicted. He used trickery to gain an audience with the oppressive Moabite king Eglon, and even managed to escape after assassinating him. This was enough to rally his fellow Israelites, who followed him into battle and drove the Moabites out of their land, for the next eighty years (Jg 3.12-30).

Shamgar

Shamgar was the first of six judges whose stories are reported very briefly. The details provided are enough to arouse our curiosity, but not to satisfy it. He fought the Philistines using an ox-goad (Jg 3.31).

Deborah

The author of Hebrews snubs her in favor of her general Barak (He 11.32), but the duo is clearly led by Deborah. Although the text nowhere hints that she took up arms herself, she helped lead an Israelite army against Canaanite oppressors, utterly destroying the force sent against them. Another Israelite woman, Jael, killed the fleeing Canaanite general Sisera. This opened up a broader campaign, which succeeded in casting off the Canaanite yoke completely (Jg 4-5).

Gideon

After some initial hesitation, Gideon accepted God’s commission, and showed great faith by paring down his forces prior to attacking a larger army. After he defeated the Midianite oppressors, many wanted to make him king, in all but name. Gideon refused (Jg 6-8).

(Abimelech)

Whereas the others “judged,” “saved,” or “delivered” Israel, “Abimelech ruled over Israel three years” (9.22), as a “king” (9.6). He was not a judge appointed by God; rather, he was another oppressor (Jg 9).

Tola

Tola’s story comprises two verses. His locality was the hill country of Ephraim, where he judged for twenty-three years (Jg 10.1-2).

Jair

Jair’s story is similar to Tola’s, but his tenure was a year shorter, and he lived on the other side of the Jordan (Jg 10.3-5).

Jephthah

Jephthah was an uncouth exile who became leader of a band of rural miscreants. When times became tough the elders hired him to come home and deal with the Ammonites who oppressed them. He agreed, on the condition that he be given leadership of the whole region. He’s best known for vowing that, if God gave him victory over Ammon, he would offer up whatever—or whoever—first met him at his homecoming. God gave him victory, and on Jephthah’s return his only child came out to greet him. He “did with her according to his vow” (11.39), but there is debate over what that means (Jg 11.1-12.7).

Ibzan

This Bethlehemite judged for seven years; but

besides that we’re only told that, like others on this list, he was rather fertile (Jg 11.8-10).

Elon

Elon was of the tribe of Zebulun, and judged for ten years. That’s all we’re told (Jg 11.11-12).

Abdon

As with Ibzan, Abdon’s fertility is a standout feature of his story. Based on his locale, he likely resisted oppression from Amalekites, judging for eight years (Jg 11.13-15).

Samson

In some ways, Samson is the perfect example of the local, disorganized leadership God supplied for Israel during this period. He’s known for his supernatural strength, his exceedingly poor judgment, and his lack of self-control; but he did keep the Philistines at bay for twenty years! After Samson was stripped of his strength and finally humbled himself, God empowered him one last time, and he went out with a bang (Jg 13-16).

Coda: Eli, Samuel, Joel, & Abijah

1 Samuel labels these four as judges, too (1Sa 4.18; 7.15; 8.2). But the book called Judges enumerates only the twelve listed above—corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel.

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Israel’s own rebellion against God continually invited oppression from their neighbors. But despite their sins, God heard when they cried to him, and provided them with the leaders they needed, even if they weren’t the leaders they wanted. If God’s people ask him, what sort of leaders will he provide, today?

Jeremy Nettles

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