Nathan W. Bingham

And of course, if we were to extend this study into 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, what we discover is the kings didn't always do such a hot job either. And so again, when we get into the life of the kings, the people needed a king, a judge wasn't enough, then they get a king, and what do they discover with a king? Well, the kings aren't enough either. And why is that?

And of course, if we were to extend this study into 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, what we discover is the kings didn't always do such a hot job either. And so again, when we get into the life of the kings, the people needed a king, a judge wasn't enough, then they get a king, and what do they discover with a king? Well, the kings aren't enough either. And why is that?

Because they need a perfect king, an obedient king, a faithful king, a king after God's own heart who obeys him in all things. So all of this is preparing us to see our need of King Jesus. And that's why this is so helpful. But we can't just say, now you don't need to read Judges and the historical books anymore because the only message is you need King Jesus.

Because they need a perfect king, an obedient king, a faithful king, a king after God's own heart who obeys him in all things. So all of this is preparing us to see our need of King Jesus. And that's why this is so helpful. But we can't just say, now you don't need to read Judges and the historical books anymore because the only message is you need King Jesus.

They help us see all kinds of particular ways in which we need King Jesus. And so that's what we're going to find, I think, in a way that's helpful and encouraging. I hope in the long run, this will be encouraging for us. And so God, in the need of his people, institutes the office of judge. Now, the word judge is perhaps not the happiest translation.

They help us see all kinds of particular ways in which we need King Jesus. And so that's what we're going to find, I think, in a way that's helpful and encouraging. I hope in the long run, this will be encouraging for us. And so God, in the need of his people, institutes the office of judge. Now, the word judge is perhaps not the happiest translation.

The Hebrew word is a kind of common word and sort of means decider, right? It's not a technical term. It's nothing really like a judge in a court, as we understand a judge today. It's just kind of a leader, and a leader who makes the decisions for the people. It's a rather common Hebrew word, and so we have to get out of our minds that this is some judicial activity.

The Hebrew word is a kind of common word and sort of means decider, right? It's not a technical term. It's nothing really like a judge in a court, as we understand a judge today. It's just kind of a leader, and a leader who makes the decisions for the people. It's a rather common Hebrew word, and so we have to get out of our minds that this is some judicial activity.

It's a leader who's going to lead the people against their sins, but usually also against their enemies. Because what's been happening in Israel is that when Israel sins, God punishes his people by bringing enemies to oppress them.

It's a leader who's going to lead the people against their sins, but usually also against their enemies. Because what's been happening in Israel is that when Israel sins, God punishes his people by bringing enemies to oppress them.

And it's as if God is saying to his people, if you will ignore me, if you are going to violate my law, if you're going to embrace sin, then I'm going to show you what it's like to be controlled by sin. And I'm going to do that by bringing in pagan enemies to oppress you. And so the judges are regularly described as deliverers. They're deliverers from sin and deliverers from enemies.

And it's as if God is saying to his people, if you will ignore me, if you are going to violate my law, if you're going to embrace sin, then I'm going to show you what it's like to be controlled by sin. And I'm going to do that by bringing in pagan enemies to oppress you. And so the judges are regularly described as deliverers. They're deliverers from sin and deliverers from enemies.

That's their important function. In a real sense, they are saviors of Israel. They're not the savior. They're not the perfect savior, the complete savior, but they are pointing to the people's need of salvation. That's what's happening over and over again in the book. In particular, This book is showing us the need of a deliverer, a leader, a savior in the great period between Joshua and Saul.

That's their important function. In a real sense, they are saviors of Israel. They're not the savior. They're not the perfect savior, the complete savior, but they are pointing to the people's need of salvation. That's what's happening over and over again in the book. In particular, This book is showing us the need of a deliverer, a leader, a savior in the great period between Joshua and Saul.

Because that's the period at which there is no common leadership. Now, the ending of the book of Joshua is particularly important for setting the scene for the book of Judges. And one of the most intriguing things that Joshua says near the end of his life, and he says a number of things that sound very much like Moses at the end of his life.

Because that's the period at which there is no common leadership. Now, the ending of the book of Joshua is particularly important for setting the scene for the book of Judges. And one of the most intriguing things that Joshua says near the end of his life, and he says a number of things that sound very much like Moses at the end of his life.

is basically calling the people to faithfulness, to law keeping, warning them about the dangers of breaking the law. He particularly warns them against idolatry, the besetting sin of Israel, which is spiritual adultery against the Lord.

is basically calling the people to faithfulness, to law keeping, warning them about the dangers of breaking the law. He particularly warns them against idolatry, the besetting sin of Israel, which is spiritual adultery against the Lord.

He warns them against intermarriage with the nations, and that will be an important warning for us to keep in mind when we come to Samson, because Samson himself fails to remember that warning. But he makes a particularly interesting statement, Joshua does, in chapter 24 of Joshua, verses 19 and 20. And Joshua says to the people, "'You are not able to serve the Lord.'"

He warns them against intermarriage with the nations, and that will be an important warning for us to keep in mind when we come to Samson, because Samson himself fails to remember that warning. But he makes a particularly interesting statement, Joshua does, in chapter 24 of Joshua, verses 19 and 20. And Joshua says to the people, "'You are not able to serve the Lord.'"