Introduction to the Book of Judges

The Hebrew name for the Book of Judges means “to judge” or “to govern.” The book records about three hundred years of history following the death of Joshua, a time when “there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” As a result, the people constantly forsook God and worshiped idols, which led to their enslavement by their enemies. But God did not stop showing His grace and continuously raised up judges to deliver the people from their enemies. All of this unfolded according to the prophecies of Moses and Joshua. The book does not mention the author’s name, but Jewish tradition and the early church believed it was Samuel.

The Book of Judges is not only a historical record but also a prophetic word. The purpose of a prophet’s work is not merely to record history but to reveal God’s will through it, showing the historical patterns and purpose. This is why the contents of Judges are not arranged in a strict chronological order.

If the Book of Joshua is a “book of victory,” then Judges is a “book of failure,” filled with records of God’s people’s failures. However, in God’s glorious plan, Judges is also a “book of salvation.” When the people abandoned God and “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord,” God raised up circumstances to discipline them. When they were in great distress and cried out to God, He raised up judges to rescue them.

The people never truly repented, so after a judge died, they would once again fall into a cycle of failure and decline. It is precisely through this repeating pattern of the people’s failures that the Holy Spirit reveals to us that man’s true problem is not external oppression but an inner, total depravity. Therefore, people cannot escape this cycle of failure through their own efforts, awareness, or repentance. “It is because of the Lord’s great love that we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” (Lamentations 3:22). No matter how corrupt and wayward people become, the faithful God, with His “long-suffering and kindness,” will certainly deliver those He has called from the cycle of failure and guide them toward His glorious historical purpose.