: Samson is an enigma. He was the one judge who wanted nothing to do with his calling. Samson was self-centered, easily provoked, vindictive, and he rebelled at every step. He was his own worst enemy. Despite this, he was God’s servant who could not help but accomplish his life’s mission. Paradoxically, his life has many comparisons to Jesus, Israel, and even humanity. What a riddle he is.
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Jephthah, the unwanted judge. The tribes west of the Jordan refused to be dominated by anyone from the east. His family labeled him the illegitimate son of a prostitute. But Jephthah was a survivor. He was a competent seasoned warrior, a resourceful charismatic natural leader with great potential and diplomatic skill. When he fled northeast to the land of Tob, a place where those without community assembled, he gathered and led a band of plunderers. This article tells his story.
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Abimelech is gone, but the people are weary from the disastrous upheaval he caused in the heartland of ancient Israel. The twelve-tribe alliance is on the verge of falling apart. Most no longer even call Yahweh their God. Things look grim despite there being no immediate outside threat. Here comes the judge Tola (translation: worm). Who was he? What do we know?
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Great turmoil followed the death of Gideon. Although he refused the title of king, he ruled as if he was one. He even named one of his sons Abimelech, which translates to “My father is king.” The question was: “Who among his legitimate seventy sons would be his successor?” What would come of Gideon’s legacy? Judges chapter 9 answers.
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The Deborah episode in the Book of Judges left us with hope. Certainly now after God’s direct intervention, Israel will remain faithful. But no; for the fourth time the cycle repeats. “The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight.” Again a threat emerges. Again the people cry out. Again God responds. Again the oppression lifts. Again rest comes to the land. But there are differences. Israel faces a stormy future.
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Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, defeated the foreign king who was imposing heavy tribute. Ehud wiped out the Moabites who conquered the area around Jericho. Shamgar was not an Israelite, but he put a limit on the growing Philistine threat. All should be well. But no! “The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight (Jdg 4:1).” The fourth deliverance episode begins.
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During Joshua’s time and that of the tribal elders, Israel was dedicated to Yahweh. Not so for the next generation. They abandoned their God and forgot their history. Perhaps they were tired of war. It made sense to coexist rather than fight. They began to worship Asherah the queen of heaven and confuse Baal with Yahweh. Canaanite rituals replaced or supplemented Levitical requirements. All was good in the short-term. There was peace. Not for long. The true God withdrew his support and protection, and this lead to a downward spiral of oppressions and rescue. This article focuses on first three of these episodes.
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Let’s suppose that we just finished reading through the book of Joshua. The book of Judges is next. But then, confusion follows. The tribal allotments were allocated. Joshua was successful. Only cleanup operations remain. But no! This is not what we encounter. What is going on? What is the author trying to convey?
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The book of Joshua records an amazing astronomical sign. The Sun stood still in the middle of the sky about a whole day. This is one of the most controversial and most debated passages in all of scripture. Some insist that God demonstrated his power through this amazing one-time sign. They often go so far as to create pseudoscientific theories to prove their case. Meanwhile, those with scientific backgrounds recoil. Forced literalism causes many to dismiss the Bible altogether. This article attempts to work through this issue.
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Archaeological digs sprinkle the promised land in the quest for historical clues. Other than at the sites of Hazor and Bethel, no significant Late Bronze Age destruction layers appear. Most scholars agree: a Joshua led genocide never happened. Careful readers of the book of Joshua generally come to the same conclusion. But then, what do we do with some of the language which seems so violent? That’s the subject of this article.
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