What we mean by “judge” is quite different from what the Israelites meant although the two meanings can be reduced to a common idea: “procure what is right” and “carry out the judgment of God.” However, for the Israelites the term “judge” was almost the same as “saviour.” A judge was a grace-inspired or charismatic military leader, liberator, saviour.
Although chosen by God, these judges are often found to be men of uncouth, brutal, and rather un-exemplary character. They became national heroes because they were responsible for the military defeat of an enemy of the Israelites.
The judges played their role in the unsettled period that followed the death of Joshua. The land had been invaded successfully but the Israelites were not in complete control. Footholds had been secured in various parts but these positions were threatened by neighboring tribes and new arrivals. The judges were the instruments of Yahweh’s saving judgment for His people because the Israelite concept of judge is one in authority who intervenes to vindicate the right.
The Book of Judges deals with the period from about 1299 to 1950 B.C., the beginning of the Iron Age in Palestine. The Philistines used iron weapons but the Israelites were limited to bronze until after 1050. The Israelites made up for inferior weapons by the experience they had gained in the desert where they had learned to live by their wits as well as by their strength. They had their own brutal methods of dealing with a foe.
Chapter 1 of Judges shows how the Israelites had infiltrated into the Promised Land establishing themselves as single tribes or as clans in different areas or else failing to do so. In either case, they lived as masters or servants alongside Canaanites from whom they had much to learn on the social and economic levels.
Also the Canaanite religion which was a fertility cult of Baal influenced them considerably. The tribes were located in four main areas—Transjordan, Galilee, central Palestine, and south Jerusalem. Between these areas were various independent Canaanite cities and strongholds which constantly threatened Israelite freedom and unity. In a crisis, the lack of central authority was a serious disadvantage. Periodically the spirit and fortunes of the tribes were restored by the appearance of inspired leaders, our judges, who led them in a holy war against their oppressors. However, in each case, only some of the tribes would be concerned. For example, only six tribes supported Deborah and Barak (Chapter 4).
The neighboring Canaanites were not their only enemies. There were the invading Philistines, a serious threat until the time of David. The Israelites also had to contend with minor neighbors like the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Midianites.
Judges is a carefully ordered account of six major and six minor judges who were Yahweh’s champions, raised to rescue His people. As a literary piece, the book is a product of a long tradition dating in its final form from after the Exile. It falls into clearly marked sections between two introductions 91:1-2:5; 2:6-3:6) and two appendices (17-18; 19-21). We should not be unduly concerned about the chronology for it is quite artificial, aimed at dating Solomon’s temple six hundred years after the death of Joshua.
The stories from the major judges’ achievements (Othniel, Ehud, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson) are collected from very ancient texts and traditions. These stories are reproduced practically without modification. Thus they vary greatly in style from the magnificent twelfth-century victory song of Deborah in Chapter 5 to the popular and somewhat crude folk-legends about the strongman Samson. What all these stories have in common is a robust faith in Yahweh who keeps His part of the Covenant and an acute consciousness of the unity and separateness of Israel.
There is one unifying theme throughout Judges which is repeated almost to boredom: fidelity to God brings blessing; infidelity means punishment ad misery. We can ask ourselves even today if this lesson can be taught too frequently.
In studying the political events of this period in Israelite history, it seems almost miraculous that the Chosen People survived. The biblical writers thought so too and attributed their victories to God who raised up leaders to guide His people despite almost unsurmountable obstacles. The dangers came from within as well as from without, for there is a recurring fourfold cycle of sin punishment, repentance, and deliverance. The consistency and faithfulness of Yahweh are contrasted with their opposites in men. At the same time, motivation is supplied for loyalty: they need fear nothing. Yahweh has the power and the will to fulfill His promises at all times. The Book of Judges can strengthen us today in moments of faint-heartedness. One does not have to look very far to become aware of a fair number of “Philistines” and “Canaanites” to say nothing of “minor neighbors” who threaten us and our Christian values as they did the Israelites of old.