The 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, "Every man did what was right in his own eyes." His life parallels Israel's relationship with God, marked by initial divine favor and subsequent unfaithfulness, reflecting the nation's spotty record of covenant fidelity. Called from his mother's womb and endowed with great advantages, Samson's disregard for his Nazirite status mirrors Israel's own forsaking of God. Samson is explicitly recognized as a judge, having served Israel for twenty years, a fact reiterated in Judges 15:20 and 16:31. However, his tenure lacks evidence of governmental, military, or tribal leadership. Unlike other judges, he does not organize armies or render judicial decisions in a conventional sense. Instead, Samson's actions are solitary, often driven by personal revenge against the Philistines or reactions to his own pride and folly. Despite this, the author of Judges affirms his role as a judge, prompting a deeper inquiry into the meaning of this title during that era. In the context of Judges, a judge in Israel was neither a king nor a governor, lacking the inherent authority and privilege of such positions. The role encompassed two primary responsibilities: serving as a war leader who could rally tribes against enemies, as seen with figures like Gideon, Jephthah, Deborah, and Barak, and acting as a guarantor of justice, a final court of appeals recognized by the people as chosen by God. This divine endorsement was the foundation of a judge's authority, evident through acts demonstrating God's presence, leading the people to voluntarily follow and accept their judgments as bearing God's approval. The period of the judges, from Moses' death and the crossing of the Jordan through to Samson and Samuel, illustrates a steady decline, both spiritually and militarily. Samson, often considered the nadir of this decline, exemplifies the loss of spiritual quality despite physical strength. While earlier judges like Othniel rose to prominence through military prowess and judicial authority, and Deborah through judicial and prophetic roles before leading in battle, Samson's approach was uniquely individualistic. His feats, such as the slaughter of Philistines at Lehi, witnessed by thousands of Judah's men, confirmed his judgeship, likely recognized primarily by the tribes of Dan and Judah over his twenty-year term. Throughout Judges, the narrative shows a progression of increasing carnality among the judges, with Samson's era marking a low point where spiritual leadership waned, and the desire for a strong figurehead emerged, eventually leading to the request for a king in I Samuel 8. Samson's story, detailed across four chapters, encapsulates this decline, highlighting his failure to live up to his potential despite divine consecration and strength, ultimately illustrating the broader theme of Israel's faltering covenant relationship during the judges' era.

The book of Judges, often referred to as the Bible's bloodiest book, illustrates the brutal consequences of Israel's immorality. After the deaths of Joshua and Caleb, Israel repeatedly cycled through idolatry, subjugation, repentance, deliverance, and back to idolatry. They served the Mesopotamians for eight years, the Moabites for eighteen years, and were oppressed by Jabin and the Canaanites for twenty years. God delivered them to Midian for seven years, the Amorites harassed them for eighteen years, and the Philistines reigned over them for forty years before God delivered them through Samson. The average duration of these subjugations was just under nineteen years. Sometimes, Israel repented quickly, and God restored peace; other times, He allowed them to endure long periods of subservience until they abandoned their idols and returned to Him. Notable verses in Judges declare that in those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This reflects Israel's failure to recognize God as their King, leading to repeated subjugations of varying lengths as a consequence of their actions.

In 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 judge to deliver them from oppression, only for the people to fall back into disobedience after the judge's death. This cycle of ups and downs persisted for nearly 400 years, reflecting the instability not only in Israel but also in the surrounding nations. During this period, around 1080 BC as depicted in Judges 14, the Philistines emerged as a dominant force oppressing Israel for forty years. Though stronger than Israel, they were not as powerful as some past or future empires, allowing Israel to live under their rule, albeit unwillingly. Amidst this regional chaos with no dominant nation to impose order, God chose Samson, a Danite, to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines, as noted in Judges 13:25. From the outset in Judges 13:5, it is evident that God intended Samson not to overthrow the Philistines entirely but to initiate the process, acting as a spark for a movement that would culminate later. Judges 14 introduces Samson's career as a judge, laying the groundwork for understanding his story through major themes and foreshadowings. The chapter reveals Samson's character and the trajectory of his life, beginning with his descent to Timnah where he saw and desired a Philistine woman, disregarding his religious duty as a Nazirite and his national responsibility to deliver Israel. This act of seeing and choosing what pleased him, often against God's will, becomes a central theme in his narrative, reflecting the broader theme of the Book of Judges where individuals did what was right in their own eyes. Samson's actions consistently showed a disregard for his vows and responsibilities, involving even his parents in his missteps, such as arranging a marriage with a Philistine woman and sharing honey from a lion's carcass, thus breaching his Nazirite vow against touching the dead. Despite these failings, Judges 14:4 indicates that God allowed these events to unfold for His own purposes, using Samson's choices to advance His plan. Samson's strength, evident in feats like killing a lion with his bare hands, came from God's Spirit, hinting at both a warning and a demonstration of the power God granted him to confront his enemies. The setting of Samson's story, primarily in the Sorek Valley within the Shephela, a buffer zone between Israelite hills and Philistine coastal plains, further contextualizes his interactions and conflicts. His life, marked by personal weaknesses and strategic brilliance, unfolds against this backdrop of regional strife and personal moral struggle, encapsulating the turbulent essence of the Period of the Judges.

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 leadership like that of Joshua or Caleb, allowed this influx to occur without resistance. This mirrors a potential internal disaster for modern Israel if current trends continue unabated. The situation in Judges serves as a precursor to the problems of cultural invasion and loss of national identity, highlighting the consequences of failing to adhere to God's instructions regarding such matters. The book provides guidance on overcoming these issues, illustrating the historical pattern of foreigners depleting the land's wealth while Israelites hid in fear, much like Gideon in the winepress, evading the Midianites.

The 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 dated near 1095 BC, and his judgeship, lasting about 20 years from approximately 1075 BC to 1055 BC, places him just before Saul's reign. During this era, Israel faced a 40-year oppression by the Philistines, the longest and perhaps the most severe of the oppressions during the time of the judges, extending through the judgeships of Samson and Samuel, and into Saul's reign. Samson, a Danite from the tribe of Dan, was born to faithful parents, Manoah and his barren wife, in Zorah, within a small tribal allotment west of Jerusalem. Unlike many Danites who migrated north to Laish, Manoah's family remained in their God-given land, demonstrating fidelity. Samson's life unfolded primarily in this region, around the valley of Sorek, with occasional forays into Philistine territory. His story begins with Israel's rebellion, prompting God to deliver them into the hands of the Philistines, whose oppression threatened not annihilation but cultural assimilation, aiming to dissolve Israel's distinctiveness as a people set apart for God. The Philistine oppression, while not as overtly cruel as other conquests, was insidious due to its policy of peaceful assimilation after military conquest. As a powerful, iron-wielding people of Hamitic descent from Crete, known as wanderers or migrants, the Philistines settled along the southern coast of Canaan in five city-states—Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. Their Greek-influenced culture, language, and warfare contrasted sharply with the Semitic and Canaanite norms of the region, yet they adopted local deities and customs, making their influence alluring to Israelites, including Samson, who was drawn to Philistine women. Samson's role as a judge was to resist this cultural dilution, yet his personal choices often aligned with the assimilation he was meant to oppose. His narrative, set against the backdrop of a nation losing its consecration to God, highlights the broader struggle of Israel during the period of the judges. Despite his flaws, Samson's exploits against the Philistines served as a witness for God, illustrating that God sovereignly accomplishes His will despite human failings, using the circumstances of individual lives to advance His purpose.

The 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 their battles, and guide them to a semblance of righteousness during the judge's lifetime. However, once the judge was gone, the Israelites reverted to their wicked ways, necessitating repentance and another cycle of restoration. Joshua had foreseen this pattern and urged the people to be courageous and strong in keeping all that is written in the law, fighting their carnal human nature to conform strictly to God's instructions. Yet, by the end of the Book of Judges, the state of Israel was dire, with the final verse noting that there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This personal interpretation of God's way, rather than strict adherence, led to a abandonment of blessings and the inheritance of curses as part of the covenant's consequences.

In 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 judge's death. Following this, the people defect, turning to idolatry by worshipping foreign gods such as the Baals and Ashtoreths, which appeal to their carnal desires through perverse practices. In response, God, angered by their defection, allows foreign nations to invade and oppress the Israelites as a form of chastisement, in accordance with the terms of the covenant. Eventually, the people cry out for deliverance, prompting God to raise another judge to rescue them and restore order, only for the cycle to repeat upon the judge's passing. The theme of the Book of Judges is encapsulated in the notion that every person did what was right in their own eyes, reflecting Israel's persistent refusal to fully accept God's sovereignty. Despite having God as their King, they consistently sought to follow their own desires, revealing a deep-seated rebellious and independent streak. This attitude of prioritizing personal standards over divine commandments underscores their ongoing struggle to submit to God's authority, even in the face of promised blessings for obedience.

The 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 chapters of Judges, God in His sovereignty repeatedly raised up judges to bring the people back into line, culminating with the 13th judge, Samson, and his humble repentance as he brought down the temple of Dagon. In the last five chapters, God clearly reveals how far Israel had fallen away from Him, losing sight of the King who was always there. They failed to obey His word, falling into such depravity that they did what was right in their own eyes. By the end of the book, God makes it evident that in those days there was no king in Israel, and every man did what was right in his own eyes, leading to depravity, pain, suffering, and warfare. This is emphasized in Judges 21:25, underscoring the consequences of their actions.

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 conduct He forbade, which brought on the bad times. Despite punishments, as a nation, they failed to connect their misfortunes to their disobedience, ignoring the consequences of their actions. In Judges, God delivered the Israelites into the hands of plunderers and sold them into the power of their enemies all around, rendering them unable to stand before their adversaries. These captivities occurred within their own land, not in foreign territories. The term "sold," from the Hebrew word "makar," indicates a monetary transaction, suggesting a connection to the destruction of prosperity through economic bondage. This term draws attention to the idea of being completely given over to enemies, possibly reflecting sins tied to banking and lustful indebtedness, resulting in a form of slavery that required redemption. Of particular note in Judges is the mention of Kushan-Rishathaim from Mesopotamia, the home of Babylon. Historical insights reveal that the Babylonians developed a banking system as early as 2000 BC, integrated with their sun god temple system. This system, comparable to modern banking, involved credit, interest payments, and loans on crops and signatures. The Israelites, during the time of Judges, were engaged with this Babylonian banking system, becoming indebted through lustful spending. As a result, God sold them and their properties to these banks, making them captives within their own homeland due to overwhelming debt and economic oppression.

The 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, including the worship of Baal, the god of the Canaanites. This disobedience led to great distress among the Israelites, mirroring the spiritual challenges seen in modern nations. Moving to Judges 6, the story of Gideon emerges as a powerful example. Despite being a man of valor and a leader, Gideon had to thresh grain in hiding due to fear of harassment from surrounding enemies like the Ishmaelites, Amalekites, and Ammonites. This recurring scenario throughout Judges shows a people who did not overcome the challenges of their calling and election from God. Their decision to live with the problem rather than eliminate it resulted in lives filled with anxiety and fear, constantly looking over their shoulders and working in secret. The pattern in Judges serves as a reminder of the spiritual state of nations today. Just as the Israelites faced haunting consequences for not adhering to God's directives, modern societies encounter similar troubles when they fail to address moral and spiritual issues. The responsibility placed upon the Israelites to deal with the Canaanites parallels the call to confront and overcome personal and societal challenges through adherence to God's way.

The 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 to address spiritual decline by destroying false altars and restoring true worship. When Gideon was called, he was initially hiding, yet God saw his potential and tasked him with tearing down idols and false places of worship, emphasizing the need for correct teaching to align with God's image. This pattern from Judges serves as a warning and instruction, illustrating that spiritual deterioration invites invasion by false teachings and ministers, much like the Midianites invaded Israel, destroying their food. Just as Israel's food was vital for survival, the spiritual food of God's Word is essential for believers, and without truth, strength and direction are lost. The cycle of decline, invasion, and restoration seen in Judges repeats throughout history, showing that after about a generation, God's people often fall into a tailspin, necessitating a leader to restore truth and bring them back on track. The Book of Judges also highlights the scattering and gathering of people into small groups for safety during times of crisis, reflecting a tendency to seek security amid spiritual turmoil. This historical pattern underscores that God's people are not immune to such cycles, and the same challenges of idolatry and false teaching persist, requiring personal and collective repentance to rebuild a relationship with Him.

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 out to Him were His people, Israel. In every case, He intervened and delivered His people from their oppressors. This pattern underscores a powerful truth: crying out to God is an effective course of action for us today. As we face oppression, almost to the point of persecution, we must ask ourselves why we do not more commonly, plaintively, and earnestly cry out to God about the social ills impacting us and our families. The accounts in Judges remind us that God responds to the pleas of His people, often in dramatic ways, demonstrating His power to reverse the gains of the godless. While His response may not always be immediate or in the form we expect, the examples in Judges show that He has the ability to protect and deliver His faithful, encouraging us to persistently seek His intervention.