Studies in the Book of Judges.   

             Introduction. [Scofield Bible] 

¶ This book takes its names from the thirteen men raised up to deliver Israel in the declension and disunion which followed the death of Joshua. Through these men Jehovah continued His personal government of Israel. The key-verse to the condition of Israel is (17:6). "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

Two facts stand out - the utter failure of Israel; the persistent grace of Jehovah. In the choice of the judges is Illustrated Zechariah's great word (4:6), "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord"; and Paul's word (1 Corinthians 1:26), "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called."

The Book records seven apostasies, seven servitudes to seven heathen nations, seven deliverances. The spiritual parallel is found in the history of the professing Church since the apostles, in the rise of sects and the lost sense of the unity of the one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

               Judges Ch. 1.

      Ready for War and The Lord Spoke 1:1-2.

¶ Ready For War: [1:1]
The Children of Israel asked the Lord for counsel; there was a readiness for more inheritance & victory gains.
¶ The Lord Spoke: [1:2]
Hearing the Lord's voice is the approach in everything. How precious is the promise that The Lord will "wake" our "ear to hear as the learned" [Isaiah 50:4.] When the Jews at Jerusalem looked on the disciples they "took knowledge that they had been with Jesus" and learned of him. [Acts 4:13.] War ready means Hearing His voice!

       "Come up with Me" (Fellowship) 1:3.

¶ We are encouraged to love one another, not "in word only" but also "in deed and in truth." [1 John 3:18.] And in Gal. 6:2The Body of Christ (The Church World wide) is encouraged to "bear one an-other's burdens But the Church (local) should not be overmuch burdened with each others problems to the point of distraction from individual and collective ministry to the Lord (worship) and to the World (Gospel). [Gal. 6:5.] Judah and Simeon reaped a benefit together as one looked on the things of another. [Phil. 2:4.]

        "Found Adoni-Bezek" - Lightening! 1:5.

¶ Bezekmeans "Lightening" and they Found "Lightening" at Lightening! Lightening is unwanted Electrical "pressure" producing forced destructive current! Israel when they found him "They fought against Him". We should be ready to fight against all unwanted pressure which can burn. This Bezek was an immobilizing force who cut off the big toes and thumbs of all his enemies. Watch out for all (sin) pressures that threaten to immobilize us in the race. If you hang within the vicinity of "lightening" you could be Zapped!

               "He that ... Will I give" 1:12.

¶ There is more inheritance in every progress of Victory. The Instruction at the beginning of Joshua to be "courageous" and very "courageous" is not only the mode of operation when facing trouble, difficulties, afflictions and any other stresses BUT also  this is the attitude of victory to adopt when facing temptation and every inward tendency toward sin! Be "very courageous" in The Word:- Joshua 1:7 "Prosper" in "understanding". 1:8 "Thou shalt make thy way prosperous". The pivot for a prosperous  way is the instruction to "meditate" in the Word. [verse 8.]

*There is a difference between Joshua 1:7 and Joshua 1:8. The first "prosper" in verse 7 is in the sense of understanding and the second word "prosperous" in verse 8 is the action word of a prosperous way or developments.

Also in verse 7 is the instruction to "observe to do" and in verse 8 is the instruction that the Word not depart out of our mouth but meditate therein day and night and the mighty work that develops because of that brings about first a "prospering" in understanding and then because the heart and life is thrilled in the Word day and night by meditation, there develops power packed energy (as Strong's puts the expanded Hebrew) mightily working out this prosperous understanding!* 

                     Be a Spy and "Drive Out"  1:21-23.

¶ The"Drive" that every Christian needs is the "drive" of the Holy Spirit;  ie, ".... through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" [Romans 8:13.] Christ was "driven" by the Spirit into the wilderness" [Mark 1:12.] This drive was one of urgency to begin his public ministry after the great announcement of Heavens pleasure pronounced upon Him.  Like Israel as we "spy out" the great and glorious inheritance we have in Christ we are strengthened to  yield to the Lord for all to be "driven" out that hinders possessing our possessions! [Eph. 3:16-17.]

           "When Israel was Strong" 1:28.

¶ Strength that waxes and wanes is a common tendency in the spiritual fight, hence there is much in the Word on being "strong in the Lord" etc. Lack of inward strength can mean dangerous allowance of sin and all the misery that comes with it. Job said, "will He plead against me with his great power? No; But he would put strength in me" [Job 23:6.] Paul and Daniel received great strength from the Lord and we can also receive the same. [Ref. 2 Tim. 4:17. Dan.10:14-18.] Many mental and spiritual woes, the Lord often heals by progressive strengthening.

          The World and Tribute. 1:28.

¶ When Israel "were strong" the enemy was subdued; they were "there" but in a sense "not there" when they should not have been there at all! To have "Issues" or "matters" that are of the World and that are forced to comply (pay tribute) with our spiritual position is dangerous. Paul spoke to the Church at Colossi not to be in any way affected by the "rudiments of the World" which would drag down their position and mode of operation to be that of the Earth instead of Heaven! [Colossians 2:18-20] As with Israel, the Worldly wisdom can overtake and produce a "dry" stalling of spiritual progress.

           Empty Heights without Depth. 1:34.

¶ How prone we are to be fully familiar and adapt with the heights of spiritual vision and understanding and yet be struggling in the shallows of spiritual experience! The Amorites forced Israel into "the Mountain". Ironically the name "Amorite" means "mountaineer".  "They first occupied the barren heights west of the Dead Sea" [Smiths Dict.] The root meaning of the word "Amorite" means "self appointing" "self demanding" and such is a barren place and is the very depths of our Adamic nature which can force us out of a deep experience and Joy in The Lord. Paul exclaims in Romans 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! David expressed that the deep things of God call for the depths of our heart. [Psalm 42:7.] Ezekiel spoke that the river of God was waters "to swim in" not a back wash trickle. [Ezekiel 47:5.] Deep is where the blessings are. [Gen. 49:25.] The Lord took Peter (who was given great revelation) into the depths of a powerful experience of the Preciousness of Christ. Lets believe All out for such a deep work of His grace in our hearts.

Jesus is Reaching for You.God Bless.

Below are most of the Bible texts referred to in the narrative above.

** Marks out a start and finish of a web apendage to the original limited booklet narrative to add clarity. 

 **********************

Isaiah 50:4

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that isweary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:5

For every man shall bear his own burden.
Philippians 2:4

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Joshua 1:7

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or tothe left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Psalms 44:2

Howthou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Ephesians 3:16-17

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Job 23:6

Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
Daniel 10:18

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
2 Timothy 4:17

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Romans 11:33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Psalms 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
Ezekiel 47:5

Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.   
Psalms 135:6

Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
Colossians 2:18-20

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
¹⁹ And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
²⁰ Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,