A Study of Judges: The Upward Spiral of Salvation

As we leave the book of Joshua, in many ways all looks well. Israel had conquered much of the Promised Land. Israel had rest in the land. When Joshua had confronted the people of Israel about what they would do after he was gone, they had declared, “We also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

Yet, there was still more to do. Not all of the enemies of God had been driven out. And there was another generation to be raised that had not seen God’s mighty victories. And things started off well with more conquests.

Then, however, the people began to rest on their laurels rather than in God. “Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants. … When Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely.” Worst of all, they failed to teach their children about God: “There arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel.”

Thus begins a constantly repeating downward spiral into unbelief:

• The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD
• The anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies who oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for _______ years
• Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD
• The LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them
• The land had rest for _______ years
• And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD

The book ends with “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Yet, despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, Judges is really a picture of the upward spiral of the steadfast love of God, who will never leave or forsake His people. Like Sodom, Benjamin deserved to be destroyed. So did Israel. Yet by God’s mercy and grace, both survived. The 12 tribes remained intact, setting the stage for King David and his Offspring, the King whose “throne will be established forever.”

This sixteen week study of the Book of Judges walks us through this journey, pointing us to the King that Israel had always had if they would have just opened their eyes.

Download a printable version of the Bible study.