This is part of my introduction to the book of Judges, to assist people in understanding where the period of the Judges fits into human history. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

We briefly introduce the book of Judges and take a brief glimpse at the fist 2 chapters of Judges. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges 4: In this Judges series, today we're introduced to the best of Israel's Judges. Deborah, the only female judge. A truly remarkable woman of God & a mighty prophet. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Barak steps up once he knows God is fighting for Israel. He leads the charge against the enemy & Sisera's 900 chariots personally. God defeats the Canaanites by sending a gushing storm of waters down the river Kishon. Sisera flees on foot after abandoning his likely bogged chariot. He finds what he believes to be a safe tent in Jael's home. Only to have Jael kill him with a tent peg. Jael, a women, claims the glory of killing the famed general, as predicted by Judge & prophet Deborah. But Barak's name is recorded in the Hebrews Heroes of the faith chapter. Israel has 40 years of peace under the leadership of Deborah (whose name means bee). Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Gideon is reluctant, he's whining, he creeping around at night, he's testing God with fleeces. But will he stand up as the mighty man of valour that God knows he can be? Will he live up to his name and be the great destroyer of the Midianites? Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Israel has been oppressed by Midianite raiders for 7 years due to their idolatry. God now prepares the way for Israel's next Judge, Gideon. A man whose name means the destroyer. We see Jesus talking with Gideon, calling him a mighty man of valour, as Gideon is timidly processing grain crops in a winepress. Will this timid, reluctant, and seemingly broken man stand tall? Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges Chapter 7. God reduces Israel's army from 32,000 down to 10,000. But wanted to reduce Israel's numbers dramatically to show that this victory belonged to the Lord and not the hand of Israel. So God instructs Gideon to send away 9700 brave men & Israel was left with a tiny army of 300 men to fight against 135,000 Midianites. The odds were 450 to 1 against Israel. Gideon is now just about ready to stand up and lead Israel out of Midianite slavery. But it takes one final sign for Gideon to finally stand. A tale told by a Midianite guard of a dream he had of a barley loaf. Gideon recognises himself as that barley loaf, common man, nothing special, near worthless. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges 7: 15-2: Gideon finally surrenders to God's will after arriving at the place of worship. Then mighty YHWH stands up and delivers His people, using Gideon's tiny band of 300 against 135,000 Midianites, to trick the enemy into believing all Israel had come upon them at night. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges 11: 1-28 Jephthah, a man who had a bad start to life, but he made the most of what he had. God called him a mighty man of valour. Run out of home due to his questionable heritage. His brethren eventually call out to him for help when the Ammonite oppression becomes to burdensome for them. The Gileadite's appoint Jephthah as their judge. The first time the people appoint a judge. Jephthah was a worldly, fleshly, carnal man, the peoples choice. All prior judges were appointed by God. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges 11: 29-40. In this passage we come to the sorry conclusion of the story of judge Jephthah. Jephthah a mighty man of valour, filled with the Spirit of God, in a moment of weakness, makes a Canaanite style vow with God that ends in tragedy. Scholars argue if his daughter was sacrificed as a burned offering as the pagans did practice, or if she merely offered her life in service to God. The evidence from the pages of Scriptures strongly suggests the former, with the later interpretations merely to appease our modern day western sensibilities. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges 13:1 - 14:2 - Introduction to Samson. We hear about Manoah, the father of Samson. His wife was barren & the Angel of the Lord comes to her to herald that she will have a son. She is told to commence the diet of a Nazarite immediately as her son was to be a lifelong Nazarite. It seems that little Samson (little sunny boy) was spoiled rotten by his thankful parents. & we just take a small step into chapter 14, we see evidence that Samson was spoiled by his parents. Samson is a self absorbed brat. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

The Lion, the riddle and the wardrobe. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges 15:1-12 Samson's retribution p 3 - By Paul Woodley. Samson uses 300 foxes to destroy a local economy at hearing his wife was given to his best man. The Philistines respond by killing his wife. Samson replies by killing the Philistines hip & thigh (in other words Samson unleashes the full extent of his killing ability upon them). Finally Samson is arrested by 3000 of his Hebrew brethren in order to hand him over to the Philistines. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges 15: 13-20 Samson slays 1000 men with a jawbone at a place he renames Jawbone hill. No sign of humility in the life of Samson. God supplies Samson with water in a supernatural way after his great thirst following his 1000 man slaughter. But Samson still takes the glory for himself. Samson is nothing but a man/baby. Samson is the worst of Israel's judges, a man with no spiritual or moral standards. It's never right to do wrong to do right. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Judges 16: 1-18 - Samson and 2 immoral women. Firstly we see Samson with a prostitute. The men of the city plot to kill him. This ends with a display of Samson's speed and strength (ripping the city gates apart and transporting them miles away) Then we finally see Samson with Delilah. And this delicate little flower, driven by her lust for a riches in silver, unleashes the full arsenal of her womanly charms to uncover the source of his great strength. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.

Sydney based, verse by verse study of the Word of God.