The Book of Judges
Author	Unknown (possibly Samuel).
Date Written	Between 1043 and 1004 BC
Time Span	Approximately 350 years (period of time from the death of Joshua to the birth of Samuel).
Title	The book derives its title from its content about the judges of Israel, who were leaders during tribal or national emergencies at a time when there was no central government. The Hebrew title for this book, Shopetim (Shopetim), means "ruling leaders" or "judges."
Background	This book covers the period following the death of Joshua and the Israelites' initial conquest of Canaan. During this time the people, wavering between apostasy and repentance, are ruled by individual leaders called judges. The book of Judges records this era of disobedience and defeat.
Where Written	The Promised Land (Canaan).
To Whom	To the Israelites.
Content	Because they have not completed the conquest and occupation of the Promise Land, the Israelites begin to adopt the sinful ways of the surrounding nations A tragic cycle develops: Israel falls into sin; God disciplines with foreign oppression; the people cry to God for His help; God raises up a deliverer (judge) peace is restored. This cycle of rebellion is repeated 7 times in the book, emphasizing God's love and forgiveness and the penalty for lack of faith and obedience. The stories of 3 significant judges are discussed in detail: Deborah, Gideon, and Samson.
Themes	There is always a price to be paid for our sins. The price for sin is destruction and death. We all need proper leadership in our lives. (The most important leader and judge for each of us today is Jesus Christ.) Without strong leaders we are more inclined to be influenced by damaging circumstances or deceptive people. God in His mercy will deliver us when we repent wholeheartedly of our sins and obey Him. Doing right in our own eyes is not necessarily doing right in God's eyes.
Key Words	"Apostasy"; "Judgment"; "Repentance"; "Mercy." The Israelites continually fail to learn their lesson. Their "apostasy" means they will have to pay the price of "judgment" from God. But when they finally show "repentance," God will then in His "mercy" raise up a judge to lead the people to restoration and rest.
Outline	1:1-3:4 2 Israel's failure to complete the conquest of Canaan 3:5-16:31 The cycle of apostasy and deliverances 17:1 - 21:25 Israel's fall into idolatry, immorality, and civil war
More	Audio of the Book of Judges

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