Part 3: The depth of Israel’s apostasy (Judges 17:1-21:25), continued
Moral and societal corruption (Judges 19:1-21:24), continued
Chaotic aftermath (Judges 21:1-24)
Final verdict (Judges 21:25)
Review
Historical context of Judges
- Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt and then thoroughly and repeatedly warned against the pitfalls of living in Canaan (Deuteronomy 4, 11).
- Covers a period of about 300 years and depicts part of the transition from “house of the father” (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) ➡ tribal confederacy ➡ dynastic monarchy.
- The Israelites go from a time of relative unity (under Moses and Joshua’s leadership) ➡ assimilating with heathen nations ➡ anarchy and civil war
- Proverbs 26:11
Outline of Judges
- Chapter 1-2 – The roots of Israel’s apostasy
- Chapters 3-16 – The downward spiral of Israel’s apostasy
- Chapters 17-21 – The depths of Israel’s apostasy
- Latter part of the narrative focuses on two points (Judges 21:25):
- “In those days, there was no king in Israel.”
- “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
- Several graphic depictions of God’s judgment (Ehud and Eglon) but also of wanton violence and depravity (Levite’s concubine).
Israel’s downward spiral
- Judges 2:19
- Rejection ➡ Reaction ➡ Retribution ➡ Repentance ➡ Rescue ➡ Relapse