Choice 2: Judges 1-8. “The Lord Raised Them up a Deliverer”

Choice 2: Judges 1-8. “The Lord Raised Them up a Deliverer”

a.The judges in the book of Judges weren’t the type of judges we have today. Read Judges 3:16-18. What word would be a good synonym for judge? What were they supposed to do for Israel?
The word that I chose and thought would be a good synonym was moderator. I think that the Judges were there to represent the people’s voice. They were needed to mediate between nations and to do what the whole of the people would want them to do.

b. After reading Judges 1-3, briefly describe how well the children of Israel obeyed the Lord during the early reign of the judges. Cite several examples from your reading to support your assessment.
At first like their father before them the Children of Israel were very obedient. They asked the Lord about leadership and constantly kept the commandments because they knew that they couldn’t receive blessing unless they followed his every commandment (1.1). Later they quit following his counsel and commandments and the Lord chastened them for their disobedience and forgetting him (2.2). After they repented and quickly began serving the Lord (2.4-5). After Joshua dies again the Children of Israel neglect the Lord and his commandments, they worship false Gods, then God quits blessing them (2).

c. Read Judges 2:10-15 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Judges 2:12-13, “Who Are Ball and Ashtoreth?” (pgs. 252-53).

Ball and Ashtoreth are the false gods that the children of Israel begin to follow after Joshua dies.
d. Read Judges 2:10-19 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Judges 2:11-13, “What Resulted from Israel’s Not Driving the Canaanites Out of the Promised Land?” (pg. 252). Detail in writing what lessons you think parents can learn from these sources.

I think that a valuable lesson for parents and everyone to learn is that when you forsake the Lord he will no longer bless your life. I don’t think that are any more golden calves but I do think that parents need to remember to not worship things that aren’t God, this is an example that needs to be set by parents for later generations. Trials will come either way but depending on how parents follow the Lord they can be strengthened and progress or continue to neglect and not teach their children about God. When we don’t do what the Lord commands and break covenants we are no longer privy to the blessings and promises that God gives.

e. The book of Judges contains some great Old Testament narrative, including those of Ehud, Deborah, and Gideon. Choose one of these accounts from Judges 3-8 and write a summary of the principles taught there.

I chose for my account the story of Gideon; he was called of God to save Israel fro the Midianites. One principal in particular that I liked in this story was how Gideon put his trust in the Lord because he was on the Lord’s errand. When we put faith in the Lord he will always help us win battles. When we do this and remember that we are only there to help the Lord we will prosper and win.