To be honest with you, the word “judges” which we use to title the seventh book in our Bibles is grossly misleading.
The reason why is because it brings up a false image of what a true Biblical judge was all about.
If we examine the linguistic history behind the word judge, we know it comes from the Latin phrase “LIBER JUDICUM“.
And before that, the Greek word for “judge” was KRITAI.
Both the Latin and Greek refers to a judge as we modern folks understand it.
Basically, a somber looking, usually elderly gentlemen wearing black robes who is sitting behind a huge podium.
However, that is NOT the original sense nor meaning of the Hebrew word for judges which is SHOPHETIM.
So let’s get this straight right now.
A Biblical judge is not anything like our typical understanding of somebody who hears out a case and then determines whether the accused is innocent or guilty.
Don’t get me wrong.
Some of the Biblical SHOPHETIM or judges did perform that role but it was a VERY minor duty among many of the things they did.
For the most part, the Biblical judges did NOT operate in a legal fashion as we understand them today.
I mean take a look at the strongman Samson.
He was a Biblical judge but he was as far removed as can be from our stereotypical image of what a judge does.
And speaking of stereotypes, let’s put to rest two common assumptions MISTAKENLY attributed to Biblical judges.
FIRST, as just mentioned, they did NOT perform legal functions.
Instead, they were more like mighty warriors who God raised up for a season to rescue Israel from her enemies.
SECOND, a Biblical judge’s influence was usually quite limited.
What I mean by that is they usually came for a specific purpose and didn’t support all of Israel but just a few tribes who were being persecuted by their gentile foes.
Simply put, a Biblical judge was a regional leader as opposed to a general who led all of Israel.
The bottom line is that a Biblical SHOPHET (singular for Shophetim) possessed a wide of variety of skills and talents that they exercised in many different roles.
That’s why it’s difficult to find one word or even many words to come up with a solid definition of a Biblical judge.
However, there is one prominent Bible character who fits the bill in terms of possessing many of the attributes of a true Biblical judge.
Who might I be talking about?
None other than Yeshua himself.
Think about it.
Yeshua was a “savior” which was the role he played out when he first came to Israel (as the suffering servant Messiah Ben Yoseph).
He was also a regional leader because as he himself said “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel”(Matthew 15:24).
And finally, when he comes back, he ain’t coming back as some meek servant to kiss babies on their cheeks.
No, he’s coming back as Messiah Ben David, the warrior-king who won’t be giving any quarter to Israel’s enemies…not one inch.
At that time, Yeshua will not be as a savior but as a stern judge appointed to carry out the Father’s justice with an iron rod.
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