Judges and the Drama of Redemption | Summer 2025 (June 29-August 31)

The Book of Judges is filled with classic Old Testament stories. Samson, Gideon, and Deborah. Often these heroes are held up as examples of faith to emulate (and to be fair, many are mentioned in the Hebrews 11 “Roll Call of Faith”). But these characters are also deeply flawed. Of course, the mighty Samson’s weakness for the wrong women is well known. But we often don’t teach how Gideon’s great victory over Midian led to wealth, arrogance, and leading Israel astray with idolatry.

The repeated refrain in Judges: “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord…” Because of turning away from God, they are conquered and subjugated by various foreign enemies. Eventually, they get around to asking God for help. And he does! Time and again the Lord shows mercy: raising up a deliverer (judge) to lead the people in military victory. And the land has rest for a season…until the people forget and return to their folly. Judges points us to the danger of spiritual decline and the need for regular spiritual renewal. And the goodness and mercy of God over everything.

Judges ends with utter brutality, Israel spiraling into chaos and civil war with the repeated refrain, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” The book leaves us longing for a true Deliverer, a righteous King to restore shalom. It reveals the hope of Christianity because the true King has come at last, fulfilling righteousness and justice, conquering our enemies and setting us free. Ultimately, Judges points us to Jesus!