This coming Sunday, I plan to finish up a five-week sermon series through the book of Judges. With each passing week of preparation, I've come to appreciate this Old Testament book more and more.
Old Testament theologian, Paul House, said Judges, "describes what occurs when a covenant people forsake that covenant and do whatever each individual or tribe sees fit rather than following the revealed word of the creator of all lands and peoples."
Pastor Mark Dever said that Judges teaches that even the best earthly judges are not enough: "Well, though faithful and helpful, the judges were not enough in and of themselves . . . all such gifts are only the dimmest reflections of the great good that God intends in Chirst for those who repent of their sins and trust in him."
And professors Longman and Dillard point out that in wickedness of the book of Judges, we see what we once were: "What a collection of human beings in the book of Judges! Strange heroes they are--a reluctant farmer, a prophetess, a left-handed assassin, a bastard bandit, a sex-addicted Nazirite, among others. It is easy at a distance to point out the foibles and failures of the leading characters in this downwardly spiraling story. But lest we get too proud, Paul reminds us, "That is what some of you were" (1 Cor. 6:11).
Why do I appreciate the book of Judges? Because it is God's Word, inspired for my instruction (1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13). Because it describes the human condition in gritty, real, and honest terms. Nowhere is sin whitewashed in thie epic narrative of betrayal. People are presented as they really are, complex rebels against a holy God. And because it points to every man's need for a righteous king--one who will right all wrongs and save every sinner who submits to his gracious authority.
Really appreciating your posts, Aaron. I am reading through Judges devotionally at the moment and will look forward to hearing your sermons on the book. Thanks for your ministry.
Posted by: Josh Manley | Thursday, June 07, 2012 at 12:28 PM