The Heart of God: Judges through 1 Samuel (3)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Read and meditate on Judges 19-21.
The end of the book of Judges finds the nation in near-total collapse. Idolatry and immorality are widespread; vigilantism has taken the place of justice; and the people have become their own worst enemy.

For reflection
1.  How would you describe the state of true faith in Israel at this time? Can you see any remnants of covenant faithfulness? But in what ways is it clear that Israel is totally compromised with paganism?

2.  The situation in chapter 19 appears to have shocked the nation into some modicum of sensibility. How can you see that in verse 30? Does God sometimes allow His people to hit “rock bottom” before they begin to turn their eyes to Him again? Explain.

3.  Notice again the role of Judah (Jdgs. 20.18). Why are we told this again, as at the beginning of the book of Judges? Is hope to be found through Judah?

4.  After the decisive battle with the tribe of Benjamin, the people seem to be truly chastened and keenly aware of their need to preserve their status as the people of God. Why? What does this suggest about the status of God’s covenant with Israel at this point?

5.  Chapter 21 shows us Israel trying to get things right again, but having to resort to compromise and equivocation in order to do so. What overall warnings or lessons can you derive from the book of Judges for God’s people today?

Summary
Judges ends pretty much right where it began. The people are compromised, the nation is in jeopardy, and every good effort of their judges has not been able to return the people to a secure covenant relationship with God. Meditate on Judges 21.25. To what seasons of God’s covenant does this look back? How does it point us forward in God’s covenant with His people?

Closing Prayer
I cried out to God with my voice—
To God with my voice;
And He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled;
I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah
You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I have considered the days of old,
The years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in the night;
I meditate within my heart,
And my spirit makes diligent search.
Will the Lord cast off forever?
And will He be favorable no more?
Has His mercy ceased forever?
Has His promise failed forevermore?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?

Psalm 77.1-9

T. M. Moore

Two books can help you gain a fuller understanding of the terrain we will be covering in this series. Kingdom Documentsprovides a concise overview of the primary teaching of the Old and New Testaments, and shows, through early Church creeds, how our forebears understand the primary teachings of God’s Word. (click here to order). I Will Be Your Goddevelops more fully the idea of God’s covenant and leads us to consider the practical implications of our covenant relationship with God (click here).

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, offers a parallel study of our theme in this series, using brief video presentations and the workbook God’s Covenant: An Introduction. All courses at The Ailbe Seminary are available without charge.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.