Judges

The Book of Judges described a time of loss among the Israelites. The era of success ended with the death of Joshua.  Although the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan, it was not a complete victory.  Israelites were still constantly threatened and influenced by the Canaanites.  The moral value of the pagans continued influencing God’s people, leading them into immorality and sinning against the Lord.  In the midst of the challenges, God heard their pleading and raised up judges to deliver His people from their troubles.  Twelve judges were recorded, and all of them had the Spirit of God within them.  However, the judges were just ordinary people, and many of them with flaws in their characters.  Nevertheless, God still used these broken people in His deliverance plan.  In this book, we encounter a God of mercy, who is longsuffering, patient and gracious.  The Book of Judges ended in confusion and darkness.  At the end, the narrator says, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Jdg. 21:25) Israelites became their own enemy and urgently needed God’s salvation.