The Book of Judges: The Holy Spirit's Comment

May 13th, 2001
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Summary

In the book of Judges, Stephen highlights the spiritual decline of Israel after Joshua's death. The Israelites, who initially enjoyed God's blessings, failed to maintain their relationship with Him, leading to a cycle of disobedience, oppression, and repentance. Stephen emphasizes that the absence of a king resulted in each person doing what was right in their own eyes, leading to moral and religious degeneration. The Israelites intermarried with surrounding nations, adopted their customs, and worshiped idols, provoking God's anger. Despite their rebellion, when they repented, God raised judges to deliver them, but the cycle repeated after each judge's death. Stephen outlines three main sections of the book: the general description of Israel's decline, the seven cycles of oppression and repentance, and the inner history of the people. He draws parallels between the Israelites' condition and the modern church, warning against the dangers of tradition over a living faith, and the moral degradation present today. Ultimately, Stephen calls for humility, repentance, and a return to Christ as the head of the church to restore unity and spiritual purity.

Outline of Main Points

  1. Introduction to the book of Judges
  2. Spiritual decline after Joshua's death
  3. Cycle of disobedience, oppression, and repentance
  4. Absence of a king leading to moral degradation
  5. Three main sections of the book
  6. Parallels with the modern church
  7. Call for humility and repentance
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Scriptures Referenced
Judges 17:6

6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Judges 21:25

25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Judges 18:31

31 And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

Judges 19:1

1 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

Judges 20:1

1 Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.