Commentary on Judges 1-7
Chuck Smith explains how the Book of Judges reveals Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God's rule.
In this expository sermon, Chuck Smith explores the Book of Judges, highlighting the historical and spiritual significance of this transitional period in Israel's history. He explains the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance that characterized the era and the failure of the theocracy due to Israel's disobedience. Smith emphasizes God's faithfulness in raising judges to rescue His people and the eventual shift to monarchy as a response to the people's rebellion. This sermon offers deep insight into God's covenant relationship with Israel and the consequences of turning away from Him.
Text
Through Moses, the children of Israel were let out of Egypt and God began to form a national kind of identity and began to forge the beginnings of a nation. At the death of Moses, Joshua, who was the servant of Moses, took over and continued to lead the people now into the land that God had promised to their father Abraham that should be theirs, that they should inhabit. And thus, God keeping his covenant and his word to Abraham.
Now the book of Judges takes up the next period in their history. There were some thirteen Judges over Israel. They became sort of quasi leaders of Israel. They would judge in the matters of the people. They were leaders but never fully empowered by the people as rulers. They were in an interim period between Joshua and the establishing of a monarchy at which time Saul became the first king over Israel.
So this book of Judges covers this period of time between the death of Joshua and the coming in of Samuel, who was the final judge over Israel and who anointed Saul to be the first king over Israel, where their form of government was changed from a theocracy, God ruling over to people, to a monarchy. Now the theocracy was not successful simply because the people would not submit to the rule of God.
In the book of Judges we find a pattern that emerges, a very tragic pattern, and that is during the time when they were blessed, at ease, without war. They would turn to other gods and begin to worship Baal and Ashtoreth and the various gods of the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Hittites and the Jebusites, the people in the land in which they were dwelling. And because of their apostasy God would give them over into the hand of their enemies and they would be oppressed by their enemies. And being oppressed by their enemies they would cry out unto the Lord and the Lord would raise up a judge to be a deliverer and they would be delivered from the oppression from their enemies. Then they would have a period of prosperity, the judge would die and back into the same old pattern of turning their backs on God and beginning again to worship Baal and the other gods and the groves and all. And it\
Sermon Outline
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I
- The transition from Moses to Joshua and the fulfillment of God's promise
- The establishment of Israel's national identity under God's covenant
- The beginning of the period covered in Judges
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II
- The role and nature of the Judges as interim leaders
- The failure of the theocracy due to Israel's disobedience
- The shift towards monarchy with Saul as the first king
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III
- The recurring cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance
- Israel's apostasy through idolatry with Baal and other gods
- God raising judges as deliverers in response to Israel's cries
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IV
- The tragic pattern repeating after each judge's death
- The consequences of turning away from God's rule
- The need for submission to God's authority
Key Quotes
“The book of Judges covers this period of time between the death of Joshua and the coming in of Samuel, who was the final judge over Israel.” — Chuck Smith
“During the time when they were blessed, at ease, without war, they would turn to other gods and begin to worship Baal and Ashtoreth.” — Chuck Smith
“God would give them over into the hand of their enemies and they would be oppressed, but when they cried out, the Lord would raise up a judge to deliver them.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Remain vigilant against spiritual complacency that leads to idolatry and turning away from God.
- Trust in God's faithfulness to deliver and restore when we repent and cry out to Him.
- Submit fully to God's authority rather than relying on human leadership alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Judges in Israel?
The Judges were leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression during the period between Joshua and the monarchy.
Why did Israel fall into cycles of sin and oppression?
Israel repeatedly turned away from God to worship other gods, leading to their oppression by enemies until they repented.
What was the significance of the transition from theocracy to monarchy?
The monarchy replaced God's direct rule with human kingship because the people refused to submit fully to God's authority.
What does the Book of Judges teach about God's faithfulness?
Despite Israel's repeated failures, God remained faithful by raising deliverers to rescue His people each time they repented.
How can we apply the lessons from Judges today?
We should remain faithful to God, avoid idolatry, and submit to His authority to experience His protection and blessing.