Study Notes: Judges: The Dark Spiral of Israel’s self-reliance and its lessons for us today
Main idea: Flowing out of the end of the book of Joshua, the book entitled ‘Judges’
(deliverers) covers a period of over 300 years. The people of God are living in the Promised
Land but in a cyclical manner generation by generation fail to follow the Lord closely. Since
the land of Canaan is not completely conquered the people are living in amongst various
other people groups. This influences the Israelites and they stray from their covenantal
commitment to God, and start worshipping the Baals and the Ashtoreths, who are the
fertility gods of the neighbouring tribes. The people of God wander away from God’s plan
and way of living. They ‘do evil in the eyes of the LORD’ and clearly aren’t being a blessing
to the nations. When they realise that because of their choices and sin they are under the
rule of the other nations/people groups, they cry out to God and he sends someone to bring
deliverance.
Activity Ideas:
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Watch the video for Judges found at www.goldhill.org/judges
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Play some trust games/activities: e.g. wearing a blind fold fall backwards into
someone’s arms- make sure you can trust them and that they can and will catch you.
What helps you trust them? (Hearing their voice, feeling them close, knowing that
they are strong enough to catch you…)
These study questions can be worked through either in a small group or by yourself.
TAKE TIME TO SEEK GOD’S FACE AND WORSHIP HIM.
Study
Despite the people committing to the covenant with God (Joshua 24) they disobey God and
(Judges 2:10) did not teach the ways of God to their children. Why do you think it is
important to teach the next generation about God? Why was it crucial in Israel’s situation
here? (Consider aspects of what God has done, who God has revealed himself to be, what
he has commanded and promised).
Read Judges 6:1-40.
We see in 6:1-10 the consequences of the people not following the Lord’s ways. They have
not given heed to God’s voice (6:10). In verse 6 we read that the Israelites cried out to God
due to the oppression and challenge from the Midianites. At what stage would you cry out
to God? (You may want to consider the heart or attitude needed for a real cry out to God)
The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon (6:11) whilst he was crushing wheat in a grape
press. What impact do you think the greeting would have had on Gideon? Consider also
the title that is used.
Gideon displays his awareness of the past actions of God but fails to recognise here the
failure of the people of God to act according to his ways. He doesn’t understand why God
has seemingly allowed the Midianites to rule over them. It is to delivering Israel from the
Midianites that Gideon is then called (6:14).
Notice the number of times that Gideon (politely) asks for more certainty about the call and
the caller. 6:13, 15, 17, 36/37, 39/40. Gideon longs for God to give signs, to make clear that he
can be trusted. Why do you think he wanted these assurances and signs? Why would you
want them?
How much clarity from God do we need before we can act and trust?
A friend of mine is a pastor of a church. He felt a strong call from God to go, move house
and lead the church. For his wife though it was more of a challenging decision. It would
mean the whole family would move to an area where they didn’t have the friends and
support structure that they enjoyed. They were praying that God would make it clear to
them both as to whether it was the right decision. They laid out ‘fleeces’ like Gideon and
sought God for his guidance. During this period asking for signs a number were clearly
given, however she wanted to make absolutely sure. Again she asked for a sign- almost
wanting for God to miraculously write in the sky. God spoke powerfully to her from Joshua
1:5 and 1:9 (promises repeated to Gideon) and she realised that actually it isn’t just asking
for a sign and waiting, but, after (appropriately) testing what you believe to be what God is
saying, you need to step out in faith; trusting that he will be with you and care for you.
This process of asking for clarity and for a sign/confirmation is a natural request and
appropriate action. We often need a reassurance from God that we are hearing him
correctly (especially if it is a big decision- or a decision with big consequences). Repeating
the request for signs as a way of stalling/procrastinating or even disobedience is not.
Share stories of where you have asked God for a sign or clarity over a decision or
direction to go. What did God do? How do you allow Scripture and listening for the
Spirit of God speaking to you, to shape your decision making?
Judges 6:12 and 6:16 remind us of the promise given to Joshua, which was given also to
Moses and is given to us as we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. God will be with us.
He is our Emmanuel. The book of Judges displays for us a cycle of people not following and
trusting in the covenant of God. They wander and try to live independently, they are
defeated and oppressed by the enemy, they eventually cry out to God, he brings
deliverance, they repeat the process (Judges 21:25). In Jesus Christ we have the ultimate
King, Priest, Judge, Deliverer. He has made the way to live a life pleasing to God. He has
made a way to be cleansed and forgiven our sins and wandering from God’s way. Take
time to once again put your trust and declare your faith in Him- our great deliverer.