Introduction:
The Book of Judges is the seventh book in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and the Hebrew Tanakh. It is part of the Deuteronomistic history, which includes the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. This historical narrative covers the period between the death of Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy in Israel, approximately 1200 to 1020 BC. The book is named after the judges, who were leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and to administer justice.

Historical Context:
The period of the judges was marked by a cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. After the death of Joshua, the Israelites failed to fully conquer the land of Canaan and began to adopt the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. This led to a series of cycles where Israel would fall into sin, be oppressed by neighboring peoples, cry out to God, and be delivered by a judge.

Structure and Content:
The Book of Judges is divided into three main sections:

1. Introduction (Judges 1:1–3:6): This section provides an overview of the incomplete conquest of Canaan and the resulting consequences. It sets the stage for the cycles of apostasy and deliverance that follow.

2. The Cycles of the Judges (Judges 3:7–16:31): This central section details the accounts of twelve judges, including Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. Each judge's account follows a similar pattern: Israel sins, God allows oppression, Israel repents, God raises a judge, and the judge delivers Israel.

· Othniel (Judges 3:7-11): The first judge, Othniel, delivers Israel from the king of Mesopotamia.
· Ehud (Judges 3:12-30): Ehud, a left-handed judge, delivers Israel from Moabite oppression by assassinating King Eglon.
· Deborah and Barak (Judges 4-5): Deborah, a prophetess and judge, alongside Barak, leads Israel to victory over the Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera.
· Gideon (Judges 6-8): Gideon is called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. His account includes the famous test of the fleece and the reduction of his army to 300 men.
· Jephthah (Judges 10:6-12:7): Jephthah delivers Israel from the Ammonites but makes a rash vow that leads to personal tragedy.
· Samson (Judges 13-16): Samson, known for his great strength, is a Nazirite who battles the Philistines. His account includes his betrayal by Delilah and his final act of strength in the temple of Dagon.

3. Appendix (Judges 17-21): The final chapters contain two additional narratives that illustrate the moral and spiritual decline of Israel during this period. These accounts include the idolatry of Micah and the Levite, and the civil war against the tribe of Benjamin.

Theological Themes:
The Book of Judges highlights several key theological themes:

· The Sovereignty of God: Despite Israel's repeated failures, God remains sovereign and faithful to His covenant. He raises up judges to deliver His people, demonstrating His mercy and grace.

· The Consequences of Disobedience: The cycles of sin and oppression illustrate the consequences of Israel's disobedience and idolatry. The book serves as a warning against turning away from God.

· The Need for Righteous Leadership: The judges, though flawed, are instruments of God's deliverance. Their accounts underscore the need for righteous and God-fearing leadership.

· The Cycle of Apostasy: The recurring pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance highlights the human tendency to stray from God and the need for continual repentance and renewal.

Key Verses:
· Judges 2:16-19 : "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges, but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands. Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, He was with the judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways."

· Judges 21:25 : "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Conclusion:
The Book of Judges serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of faithful leadership. It points to the need for a righteous king, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who delivers His people from sin and establishes His eternal kingdom.

That we must not Rashly Judge of Another.
... Judge not, that ye be not judged: condemn not, that ye be not condemned." [4343]
Of this same subject to the Romans: "Who art thou that judgest another man's ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/21 that we must not.htm

Earnest Expostulation
... Paul looks this man in the face and says, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,
whoever thou art, that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another thou ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/earnest expostulation.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Judge?
... unlawful to judge. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Rom.14:4): "Who
art thou that judgest another man's servant. To his own ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 6.htm

The Fourth Book
... So it is not without cause that the apostle cries out to us: "Therefore thou art
inexcusable, O man, whoever thou art, that judgest; for wherein thou judgest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

The Adulterous Woman.
... It said to them, "Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest;
for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself: for thou that ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the adulterous woman.htm

Psalm IX.
... 6. "Thou satest on the throne Who judgest equity" (ver.4). Whether the Son say this
to the Father, who said also, "Thou couldest have no power against Me ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ix.htm

But Nevertheless, in These Condemners of Rabbinic Blindness, St. . ...
... Paul's words are remarkably verified, viz., "Wherein thou judgest another, thou
condemnest thyself, for thou that judgest dost the same thing." For, take away ...
/.../address 160 0 0 but nevertheless in.htm

Whether a Sinner Ought to Reprove a Wrongdoer?
... De Summo Bono iii, 32): "He that is subject to vice should not correct the vices
of others." Again it is written (Rom.2:1): "Wherein thou judgest another, thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a sinner ought to.htm

Psalm LVIII.
... For thou judgest that there is evil in that, which to suffer thou art not willing:
and this thing thou art constrained to know by an inward law; that in thy ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lviii.htm

Rom. xiv. 1, 2
... strong. Ver.4. "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?". Whence
it appears that they too judged, and did not despise only. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxv rom xiv 1.htm

Judgest (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Judgest (9 Occurrences). Romans 2:1 Therefore thou
art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest...
/j/judgest.htm - 9k

Doest (53 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that ...
/d/doest.htm - 22k

Wherein (208 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that ...
/w/wherein.htm - 38k

Inexcusable (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that ...
/i/inexcusable.htm - 7k

Practise (52 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:1 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that ...
/p/practise.htm - 22k

Condemnest (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that ...
/c/condemnest.htm - 7k

Thyself (352 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that ...
/t/thyself.htm - 36k

Judge's (8 Occurrences)

/j/judge's.htm - 8k

Judgeth (37 Occurrences)

/j/judgeth.htm - 16k

Wherefore (448 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:1 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that ...
/w/wherefore.htm - 34k

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