Playlist: Judges, Book of (topic)
Samson and the Christian (Part 5)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Book of Judges, spanning twenty-one chapters, presents a vivid portrayal of Israel's spiritual and physical decline during the period following Joshua's leadership. Within this framework, Samson emerges as a significant figure, often seen as the archetypal judge, embodying the state of Israel at that time with the saying, …
Samson and the Christian (Part 3)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the early eleventh century BC, the lands along the eastern Mediterranean Sea were marked by turmoil, and Israel was no exception as it neared the end of the Period of the Judges, a time of great turbulence in its history. The Book of Judges captures this era of unfaithfulness among the Israelites, where God would raise a …
Israel's Immigration Problem
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In the book of Judges, particularly in chapter 2, we see a historical reflection of current challenges faced by Israelitish nations. After Joshua's death, the Israelites were led by a series of judges, during which time outsiders from Gentile nations streamed across the borders into Israel. The Israelites, lacking strong …
Samson and the Christian (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Book of Judges, particularly chapters 13 through 16, recounts the story of Samson, one of the last judges of Israel before the anointing of Saul as king. This period, estimated around the early 11th century BC, marks a time of significant opposition to God, with Israel repeatedly rebelling against Him. Samson's birth is …
Deuteronomy: Being Careful
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Book of Judges reveals a troubling cycle among the Israelites, reflecting their failure to adhere to the instructions given by Joshua. After God fulfilled His promises by granting them the land, as seen in Joshua 23, the people repeatedly fell away from His ways. This led to God raising up judges to bring them back, win …
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Three): A Cycle of Rebellion
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the Book of Judges, a recurring cycle of rebellion and deliverance characterizes Israel's relationship with God during a span of approximately 400 years, from around 1400 BC to 1000 BC. This cycle unfolds in distinct stages: initially, a judge delivers Israel, leading to a period of peace and adherence to God's law until the …
There Was No King in Israel
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe Book of Judges stands in sharp contrast to the Book of Joshua, where the people under Joshua remained obedient to God as Moses instructed when they entered the land of rest. However, in Judges, the people became disobedient and idolatrous, finding no peace in the place God intended for rest and refreshment. For the first 16 …
Israel, Selfies, and Idolatry
Sermonette by Mike FordThe religious hobbyist Micah practiced his own self-devised hybrid of religion, amalgamating some orthodox truth with abundant noxious, pagan admixtures.
Are We Already In Captivity?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The book of Judges reveals a pattern of alternating good and bad times for the Israelites after they entered the land. The good times, often longer than the bad, were undermined by the people's actions during prosperity, leading to periods of hardship. When times were favorable, the Israelites drifted away from God, engaging in …
Love and Fellowship
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Book of Judges illustrates the consequences faced by ancient Israel when they strayed from God's commands. In Judges 1 and 2, the Israelites failed to drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, such as the Canaanites, as God had instructed. Instead, they coexisted with these peoples, adopting their practices and religions, …
Unity (Part 1): God and HWA
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Book of Judges reveals a recurring pattern in the relationship between God's called-out people and Him, a cycle that repeats across generations. This pattern shows that when Israel had good leadership, the nation prospered, but under poor leadership, it deteriorated. As seen in Judges, God raised up individuals like Gideon …
What Are You Going To Do About It?
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)In the book of Judges, we find recurring themes of oppression and deliverance that resonate with our current struggles against injustice and societal change. Throughout Judges, the people of Israel faced oppression, yet in each instance, they cried out to God for help. Significantly, God always emphasized that those who called …