Introduction John Stevenson 2018 Maps by David P
Introduction © John Stevenson, 2018 Maps by David P. Barrett, used by permission
Moses & Joshua Kings of Israel
Joshua Judges Mostly victory Mostly defeat A number of men and One man prominent women Israel’s faith Israel’s apostasy Taking a stand for God Turning away from God Sins of the Canaanites are judged Sins of the Israelites are judged
An early date is indicated for portions of the book • The Jebusites are said to live in Jerusalem “to this day” (Judges 1: 21). • Sidon is described as the chief city of Phoenicia (Judges 18: 28). “In those days Israel had no king” (Judges 17: 6; 18: 1; 19: 1; 21: 25).
And the sons of Dan set up for themselves the graven image; and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. (Judges 18: 30).
What is the main argument of the book of Judges?
Prologue in two parts (1 -2) Othniel Narrative (3: 7 -11) Ehud Narrative (3: 12 -31) Judge is social outcast Oppressors from east of the Jordan Deborah/Barak Narrative (4 -5) Woman slays enemy with blow to head Gideon Narrative (6: 1 – 8: 32) Abimelech Narrative (8: 33 – 10: 5) Woman slays enemy with blow to head Jephthah Narrative (10: 6 – 12: 15) Judge is social outcast Oppressors from east of the Jordan Samson Narrative (13 -16) Epilogue in two parts (17 -21)
• Demonstrate the disastrous effects of compromise • An apologetic for Israel’s monarchy. It shows Israel’s need for a king Noted anti-Benjamite slant at the end of the book
- Slides: 9