The Book of Judges: We Need a Godly Leader

The book of Judges was written to justify David’s monarchy or kingship. The key verses are 17:6 and 21:25: “In those days there was no king in Israel and every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” This is more than a political statement. It is saying that life would be better under a godly king, like David, who would lead the nation in true worship. Then the people would do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

The book of Judges is the sequel to Joshua.

Joshua illustrates the blessing that obedience brings according to Deuteronomy 28

Judges illustrates the chastisement disobedience brings according to Deuteronomy 27

Joshua is the record of faith and victory (31 kings defeated in 7 years)

Judges is the record of unbelief and defeat (Israel is defeated by other nations for 350 years)

The nation of Israel needs a godly king for the following reasons:

1. Because the Tribal Leaders Failed to Defeat the Enemy (1:1-2:5) (Historical Review)

    A. Because of the difficulty of the task (1:19) Human standpoint

         1) National wars of the conquest under Joshua were successful because of faith

         2) Tribal wars of occupation under tribal leaders failed because of unbelief

    B. Because of the punishment for disobedience (2:2-3) Divine standpoint

2. Because the Judges Failed to Stop Apostasy (2:6-16:31) (Theological Preview 2:6-3:6)

    A. The Seven Cycles of Sin for 350 years

          1) Sin (3:7)

          2) Servitude (3:8

          3) Supplication (3:9)

          4) Salvation (3:10)

          5) Silence (3:11)

    B. The Downward Spiral of Sin

          Cycle One (3:7-11) Judge Othniel

          Cycle Two (3:12-31) Judge Ehud/ Judge Shagmar

          Cycle Three (4:1-5:31) Judges Deborah/Barak

          Cycle Four (6:1-8:32) Judge Gideon

          Cycle Five (8:33-10:5) Judges Tola and Jair

          Cycle Six (10:6-12:15) Judges Jepthah/Ibazn/Elon/Abdon

          Cycle Seven (13:1-16:31) Judge Samson

3. Because the Levites Failed to Obey the Law (17-21)

     A. Religious Apostasy or Disloyalty to God and Family (17-18)

1) Individual apostasy or disloyalty (17). There is idolatry by the Levite before there is a godly king.

2) Societal Apostasy or disloyalty (18). There is idolatry by the tribe of Dan.

     B. Moral Apostasy or Disloyalty to God and family (19-21) This section has been called the sewer of Scripture (Gary Inrig in Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay, 282).

1) Individual apostasy or disloyalty (19). There is immorality by the Levite before there is a godly king.

2) Societal Apostasy or disloyalty (20-21). There is immorality by the tribe of Benjamin

C. Loyalty to God and Family (Ruth). The story of Ruth is like a lily pad floating on the sewer. Ruth is both loyal to God and her family.

How can we preach or teach this narrative?

MPS: How do we live in days of apostasy?

  1. Not with idolatry (17-18)

  2. Nor with immorality (19-21)

  3. But with loyalty (Ruth)

Transitional Sentence: By following the example of Ruth

  1. By being Loyal to God (Ruth 1:16)

  2. By being Loyal to Family (Ruth 1:17)