The book of Judges – a difficult read

I recently read the book of Judges. Just a little background – after the Exodus from Egypt the Hebrews wandered around the desert for 40 years. Then they were supposed to cross the Jordan and go into the land that God had promised Abraham. He said he would be with them as they drove out the inhabitants that it cropped up in the years Israel was in Egypt. Overall the book of Judges is a very sad book and shows men of faith who rise up during confusing times and shows their strengths as well as their weaknesses.

In the book of Joshua the Hebrews went over Jordan to take their land that it been promised over 400 years ago. This land was very sparsely inhabited when it was promised to Abraham and his descendents. The people who were in the land now were squatters and had idols and worshiped false gods. The Hebrews did not displace these people but took the land that was promised them.

The biggest problem the Hebrews had was that they lacked the heart and faith to take all the land that God promised. Two tribes stayed on the opposite side of Jordan and inhabited those lives. The tribes that took the land that God promised stopped short of taking the luscious valleys. The people that were there were heavily armed and possessed chariots. In the low lands the chariots were dominant and the Hebrews avoided them and so we have the setting for the book of Judges.

The Hebrews drew back from trusting God and did not take all the land and peoples that dwelt there were a thorn in their side. The book of Judges is very sad book for the most part. But God faithfully raised up "judges" or deliverers who were men of faith and delivered some of the people from some of their enemies. At the end of the book of Judges it says that at that time "every man does that which is right in his own eyes"

I think the book of Judges is a difficult book to wade through. everyone did that which is right in his own eyes and results were very mixed. This book is followed by the wonderful book of Ruth! The book of Ruth is a breath of fresh air during this time of the judges. I would say the book of Judges is not complete without reading Ruth right after it. I will talk more about Ruth and a further post.