Adult
• 3 Sessions of Learner’s Materials
• 3 Sessions of Teaching Materials
• Handouts
1. Judges 7:1-25
2. Judges 4:4-23
3. Judges 16:23-31
The period of the Judges covered about 200 years in the early history of Israel. Following the epic story of the Exodus and the initial conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua, the people of Israel began the task of forming themselves into a settled nation, which God was to head. The twelve tribes were aligned in a loose confederation and generally kept to themselves in their respective regions. Only the holy shrine at Shechem served to pull them together as one people.
During this time, the people were constantly struggling against the encroachments of others in their area. Regional battles were continual. The judges were the deliverers, those who were raised up by God when the nation was under attack. We have records of twelve Judges who led Israel during this era, but of these we know little more than the names of only six. Three of the most famous of these—Gideon, Deborah, and Samson—are the focus of this unit of study.
Perhaps one of the most refreshing aspects of biblical history is the honesty with which Old Testament heroes are described. Many American heroes are seldom seen as ordinary people with weaknesses and failings that hampered their ability to perform. Instead, they most often have been perceived as larger-than-life characters who were never uncertain, and through strength of will and rightness of cause triumphed over incredible odds. Only recently have we begun to gain an understanding of these multi-faceted individuals who managed in spite of personal weakness and uncertainty to conquer the trials they faced.
The Bible, on the other hand, tends to present its heroes in a different way. If we read the stories of notable biblical characters carefully, we see the somewhat spoiled and arrogant boy Joseph growing and maturing in adversity; we see Moses, even at the burning bush, trying to dodge God’s call; we see the judges of Israel who, for one reason or another, easily might have been passed over.
Gideon, Deborah, and Samson were three very diverse individuals. In fact, there is ample reason to exclude each from leadership. Gideon at first seems cowardly, constantly needing reassurance that God is with him. Deborah, though a prophetess, is still “just a woman” who must contend with a hesitant general. How can she possibly deliver her people? And Samson at times seems to be little more than a boastful bully. Yet, each responded to God in their own way, each served God in delivering the people of Israel during a time of trouble, and as such, each has a lesson to teach us.
by Randy Gardner
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