Alrighty folks, today we’re gonna begin our study of the Book of Judges and I have to warn you.
You’re in for a wild and wacky ride.
Not only is Judges one of the lesser-read books in the Bible, it is also one of the most misunderstood.
Gentile Bible scholars have major difficulties understanding just how this books fits in with the other books in Scripture.
And for other reasons that will become clearer as we move forward, many Jewish scholars don’t like to dig too deep into Judges either.
Nevertheless, since the Book of Judges IS part of the Scriptures, it’s important we study this baby.
Especially because there are so many comparisons that can be made between Judges and the apostasy we see happening in churches all around the world today.
Probably the most famous story in Judges is the tale of the strongman Samson and how he was seduced by the prostitute Delilah.
Samson is normally portrayed as a hero who took on the wicked Philistines who were harassing the tribes of Israel and in the end sacrificed his life in order to destroy the pagan temple dedicated to Dagon while killing numerous Philistine priests in the process.
While that interpretation is not necessarily incorrect, it grossly misses the whole point of the story.
The same goes for the story of King Solomon who is normally cast as a wise and good king who ruled Israel in a way that made God happy.
However, nothing could be further from the truth.
Both Samson and Solomon and the real spiritual lessons behind their stories that God intended are completely overlooked, especially by the church.
The first thing you need to know is that once we enter into the Book of Judges, we are entering a period when Israel rapidly descended into big-time apostasy.
It’s a sad story of a deluded people who thought they were being completely faithful to God but the opposite was true because they continued to pursue peace with their pagan neighbors.
Does that sound familiar?
Let me say that again.
The children of Israel fell away from Hashem because they didn’t wanna ruffle any feathers with their pagan neighbors.
Israel vigorously pursued peace but it was NOT a peace ordained by the Lord.
Here’s the thing folks.
When we pursue peace with the world, more often than not it results in us compromising and being influenced by the world instead of us influencing the world.
And we’re gonna see that’s what happened with the Israelites in the Book of Judges.
They ended up adopting the religious practices of the Mystery Babylon religious systems and assimilating into the heathen Canaanite culture (a major no-no).
Heck, out of all the books in the Bible, Judges may just be that one book most relevant for our times.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is
—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
-Romans 12:2
Romans 12:2 one of my favorites!