The Big Read – Judges

Powerpoint Pictures: Flags of the following countries – UK, Spain, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Israel, Thailand, Tonga

Can you tell which country has the following flags? [UK, Spain, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Israel, Thailand, Tonga]

Of those countries which one is the odd one out? [Israel because it has no King or Queen]

Like today, Israel at the end of the book of Joshua had no human king to rule over them and in the book of Judges we see that having no king was disastrous.

The tribes failed to drive out and destroy the remaining Canaanites living the land and ended up becoming like them.  This brought God’s judgment upon Israel and He allowed other nations to invade Israel.  Yet God was merciful and raised up judges like Ehud and Gideon and Samson to save Israel.  But these judges couldn’t give the people long term peace and security.  And the priests who were meant to be leading the people to worship God and obeying His commands failed to do this.

The book of Judges ends with the people of Israel in a total mess.  Instead of worshipping God, they were worshipping false gods.  Instead of living God’s way, they were living just like the other nations were.

Twice we are told that the reason for this was because they had no king:

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” (Judges 17:6)

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” (Judges 21:25)

But the book of Judges reminds us that we have a King.

One who leads us into battle against our enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil.  In fact, our King by His death and resurrection has already defeated these enemies.

Our King can give us peace and security in the Promised Land forever as He gives us eternal life in a new heavens and new earth.

And our King brings us back into relationship with God and by His Spirit enables us to worship Him.

Without a King, we would be in a mess spiritually and morally like the people of Israel at the end of Judges were.  Praise God we have a King.  Let’s trust Him and follow Him.