As I mentioned yesterday, beginning with the judge Devorah, the action now shifts to the Israelite tribes located in the northern regions of Canaan.
Before Devorah, all the battles we were dealing with took place in the south.
Which means up until that point in time, all of Israel’s enemies were also located in the south or the southeast.
Another thing to keep in mind is the list of judges we’re presented with isn’t necessarily chronological.
Some judges in the south were ruling at the same time as some judges in the north.
This makes sense because it wasn’t like Israel’s southern enemies were strategically coordinating their efforts with their northern counterparts.
Everyone was operating out of their own selfish interests.
Whatever was happening in the south had little to do with what was going on in the north and vice versa.
But having said all that, the north/south dynamic is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
FIRST, it’s significant this north/south dynamic is being set up so early.
I mean it’s only been about 100 years or so since Israel entered the Promised Land.
SECOND, we’re going to see how geography played not only significant economic and political roles in the development of Israel, but we’re going to see a key prophetic element being fleshed out as well.
The ridge of hills located at the northern tip of Judah would serve as a natural boundary line separating Judah, Simeon and Benjamin (the 3 main tribes in the south) from their brothers in the north.
Although I’m getting way ahead of myself here, after King Solomon died, there was no clear successor to the throne.
As a result, a Civil War broke out between you guessed it, the south and the north.
And it was the same rugged hills I just mentioned that separated one from another.
From that time forward, Scripture will speak of two kingdoms of Israel: the southern kingdom and the northern kingdom.
The Bible generally refers to them as Judah (the southern tribes) and Ephraim-Israel (the northern tribes).
The reason I’m mentioning this now is because right here in Judges we’re witnessing the stage being set for the north versus south mindset among the Hebrew tribes.
All the kings of Israel, Saul, David and Solomon always struggled mightily to unite Israel against their gentile enemies and establish the 12 tribes as one nation under one God under one king.
I know I kind of went on a sidetrack here but in terms of understanding Scripture from a holistic perspective, this is important.
Especially in terms of understanding all of the prophecy revealed in the Book of Ezekiel.
Plus, let’s not forget while this all may seem like chaos from an earthly perspective, from the Lord’s perspective, everything that happens here is part of God’s master plan to save all of Israel from her gentile enemies.
Remember, there is no word for “coincidence” in the Hebrew language.
Alrighty, the next time we meet, I’ll get back to talking about Devorah.
Stay frosty homies.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“…and in this way all Israel will be saved.
As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away
from Jacob.”
-Romans 11:26
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