Judges

The Hebrrew title for what we call the book of Judges is Shopetim—not really “judges” in our modern sense, but something more like “liberators” or “military leaders.”

The period of the judges fell between the Israelite settlement in Canaan and the time when Israel had its first king, Saul.

The book of Judges repeats a familiar story: The Israelites forget the true God and worship idols; God allows a neighboring nation to punish them; they beg for a deliverer, and God sends them a mighty man to help quell the enemy.

Then the pattern repeats. A total of fifteen judges are listed. The most famous judges were Gideon (see 348 [laying out the fleece]), Samson (see 499), Jephthah (see 469), and the one female judge, Deborah (see 513).

The theme of the book is this: “In those days Israel had no king: everyone did as he saw fit” (Judg. 21:25 NIV).

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

God’s Heart and Ours

Chris Tiegreen

One of the primary ways God accomplishes his purposes on earth is through the prayers of his people. And one of our primary motivations for prayer is the desires in our hearts.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Secret of Strength and Happiness

Timothy Keller

Psalm 1 is the gateway to the rest of the psalms. The “law” is all Scripture, to “meditate” is to think out its implications for all life, and to “delight” in it means not merely to comply but to love what God commands.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A Glimpse into the Future of Eternal Praise

Timothy Keller

Every possible experience, if prayed to the God who is really there, is destined to end in praise. Confession leads to the joy of forgiveness. Laments lead to a deeper resting in him for our happiness. If we could praise God perfectly, we would love him completely and then our joy would be full.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Poetry of Praise and Redemptive Mission

Timothy Keller

The praise of the redeemed. His people praise him because he has made them his people and because he honors and delights in them —though they don’t deserve it. Gospel joy, knowing how honored and loved we are in Christ, makes us ready for this mission.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Praise that Unites All

Timothy Keller

Praise Those Unites. We see extremes brought together in praise: wild animals and kings, old and young. Young men and maids, old men and babes. How can humans be brought into the music? He has raised up for his people a horn, a strong deliverer.