PAULSGROVE BAPTIST  CHURCH

Current Series

Judges - Surprising Salvation

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There is a strange and somewhat confusing period in Israel’s history, “after the death of Joshua” (Judges 1:1) and before Israel had a king (21:25). A lack of morality and stable leadership meant that “everyone did as they saw fit” (17:6; 21:25), causing chaos in the land.

There is a repeated cycle throughout the book – God’s people turn away from Him, He responds by mobilising an enemy army against them, they cry out to God for mercy, and He responds by sending a rescuer (‘judge’/’deliverer’), but when the judge dies the cycle begins all over again.

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In this cycle of rebellion/retribution/repentance/rescue, there are some familiar characters such as Deborah, Gideon and Samson, whose stories are given much detail, but some less familiar, such as Othniel, Ehud, and Jephthah, along with others who are mentioned only in passing.

Right in the centre of the book, one of the judges acknowledges that “the Lord, the Judge” (11:27) is truly in charge and continues to protect and show His faithfulness to His people. The many gruesome stories and unorthodox methods cause us to question God’s purposes – but the Surprising Salvation found in these accounts points both to God’s perfect work even through the lives of imperfect leaders, and demonstrates that the ultimate salvation for the world through Jesus was achieved in His boundless wisdom.

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