Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them. Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the IsraelitesThis phrase indicates the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges. The term "judge" (Hebrew: "shofet") refers not only to a legal arbiter but also to a military leader or deliverer. The raising up of judges by the LORD underscores His sovereignty and mercy, as He intervenes in response to Israel's distress. This divine intervention is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant people despite their repeated unfaithfulness. He was with that judge
The presence of the LORD with the judge signifies divine empowerment and guidance. This echoes the promise of God's presence with leaders like Moses (Exodus 3:12) and Joshua (Joshua 1:5). The success of the judges was not due to their own strength or wisdom but to the LORD's presence, which ensured victory and deliverance. This concept foreshadows the New Testament promise of God's presence with believers through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:20). and saved them from the hands of their enemies
The deliverance from enemies is a central theme in Judges, reflecting the physical and spiritual salvation that God provides. This salvation is a precursor to the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ, who delivers from sin and death. The phrase "hands of their enemies" emphasizes the tangible threat and oppression faced by Israel, often due to their disobedience and idolatry. while the judge was still alive
The temporary nature of the judges' leadership highlights the need for a permanent and perfect deliverer, pointing to the future kingship of David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, the eternal King. The death of each judge often led to a relapse into sin, illustrating the insufficiency of human leaders and the need for a lasting solution to sin. for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning
This phrase reveals God's compassionate nature and His responsiveness to the cries of His people. The "groaning" of the Israelites is reminiscent of their cries in Egypt (Exodus 2:24), showing a pattern of God responding to the suffering of His people. This compassion is a key attribute of God, who is described as "gracious and compassionate" throughout Scripture (Psalm 103:8). under those who oppressed them and afflicted them
The oppression and affliction faced by Israel were often consequences of their disobedience and idolatry. These hardships served as a means of discipline, intended to bring the people back to reliance on God. The cycle of oppression and deliverance in Judges serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance and faithfulness to God. This pattern also points to the ultimate deliverance from spiritual oppression through Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is actively involved in the lives of His people, showing compassion and delivering them through judges. 2. JudgesLeaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression. They served as military leaders and arbiters of justice during times of crisis. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God who repeatedly fell into cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. 4. Enemies/OppressorsVarious nations and groups that oppressed Israel, serving as instruments of God's discipline. 5. Groaning of the IsraelitesThe cries and lamentations of the Israelites under oppression, which moved God to act on their behalf. Teaching Points God's Compassionate NatureGod is moved by the suffering of His people. His compassion leads to action, demonstrating His loving and merciful character. The Cycle of Sin and DeliveranceThe Israelites' repeated cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance serves as a warning and a lesson about the consequences of turning away from God. The Role of LeadershipGod raises leaders to guide and deliver His people. Effective leadership is marked by God's presence and guidance. Dependence on GodThe Israelites' deliverance was not due to their own strength but because of God's intervention. This teaches reliance on God rather than human efforts. The Temporary Nature of Human SolutionsThe deliverance provided by the judges was temporary, pointing to the need for a permanent solution found in Jesus Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the compassion of God in Judges 2:18 encourage you in your personal struggles or challenges? 2. In what ways do you see the cycle of sin and deliverance in your own life, and how can you break free from it? 3. How can you identify and support godly leaders in your community who are called to guide and deliver others? 4. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength rather than God's intervention. What was the outcome, and what did you learn? 5. How does the temporary deliverance in Judges point to the need for a Savior, and how can this understanding deepen your faith in Jesus Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 2:23-25The groaning of the Israelites in Egypt and God's response parallels the situation in Judges, showing God's consistent compassion and deliverance. Psalm 106:44-45Highlights God's mercy and compassion in response to the cries of His people, similar to His actions in Judges. Hebrews 11:32-34Mentions some of the judges as examples of faith, connecting their deliverance to the broader account of faith in God's promises. People Israelites, Joshua, NunPlaces Bochim, Egypt, Gaash, Gilgal, Timnath-heresTopics Afflicted, Burdened, Compassion, Cries, Cruel, Crushed, Delivered, Enemies, Grief, Grieved, Groaned, Groaning, Groanings, Hands, Haters, Judge, Judges, Moved, Oppressed, Oppressors, Pity, Presence, Raised, Reason, Repented, Repenteth, Saved, Saviour, Thrusting, Troubled, Vexed, WheneverDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 2:18 1320 God, as Saviour
5825 cruelty, God's attitude
5844 emotions
5946 sensitivity
5963 sympathy
6667 grace, in OT
6688 mercy, demonstration of God's
8791 oppression, nature of Judges 2:6-23 8705 apostasy, in OT Judges 2:10-19 8151 revival, corporate Judges 2:10-23 8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Judges 2:16-19 5358 judges Library A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
'And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. 2. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3. Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureIsrael's Obstinacy and God's Patience
'And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim; 12. And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. 13. And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. 14. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Whether the Female Sex is an Impediment to Receiving Orders?
Objection 1: It would seem that the female sex is no impediment to receiving Orders. For the office of prophet is greater than the office of priest, since a prophet stands midway between God and priests, just as the priest does between God and people. Now the office of prophet was sometimes granted to women, as may be gathered from 4 Kings 22:14. Therefore the office of priest also may be competent to them. Objection 2: Further, just as Order pertains to a kind of pre-eminence, so does a position …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Judges.
Judges 1; 1 Sam. 7. The Characteristics of the Times. This is a period of transition for Israel Nothing was quite certain, and "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (17:6). In consequence of this there was lack of organization, cooperation or leadership. While we do not have all the history covered by the period and while we do not easily understand or explain its events, it is clear that things did not run smoothly. In Judges 2:16-19 the author gives a vivid picture of the conditions …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to Its Heavenly Origin
The title of this chapter suggests a wide field of study the limits of which we can now only skirt here and there. To begin with the writers of the Old Testament. Had the historical parts of the Old Testament been a forgery, or the production of uninspired men, their contents would have been very different to what they are. Each of its Books was written by a descendant of Abraham, yet nowhere do we find the bravery of the Israelites extolled and never once are their victories regarded as the outcome …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Doctrine of Angels.
I. THEIR EXISTENCE. 1. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. 2. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES. II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT. 4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. THE FALL OF ANGELS. 1. TIME AND CAUSE. 2. THE WORK OF FALLEN ANGELS. 3. THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS. IV. THE WORK OF ANGELS. 1. THEIR HEAVENLY MINISTRY. 2. THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY. a) In Relation to the Believer. b) In Relation to Christ's Second Coming. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS. We are not …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible A Case of Conscience Resolved
WHETHER, WHERE A CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SITUATE, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE WOMEN OF THAT CONGREGATION, ORDINARILY, AND BY APPOINTMENT, TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR BRETHREN, AND SO TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER, TO PERFORM SOME PARTS OF DIVINE WORSHIP, AS PRAYER, ETC., WITHOUT THEIR MEN? AND THE ARGUMENTS MADE USE OF FOR THAT PRACTICE, EXAMINED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This exceedingly rare tract was first published in 1683, and was not reprinted, either separately, or in any edition of Bunyan's …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 2:18 NIVJudges 2:18 NLTJudges 2:18 ESVJudges 2:18 NASBJudges 2:18 KJV
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