1. When you think of a judge in the book of Judges how would you describe them? What is a better word for them?

They deliver the people from whoever is oppressing them. They deliver the people from their enemies. Deliverer is a better word.

2. What is the cycle in the book of Judges?

– They sin. They break God’s covenant and go serve other gods.
– They serve. The other nations around them oppress, conquer, and enslave them.
– They cry out. They ask God for mercy and they call out to him to rescue them from their enemies.
– They are delivered. God raises someone up to deliver Israel from their enemies.

3. Did Israel kick out all the Canaanites? Why did God leave some of them to remain in the promised land?

No, they left some Canaanites in the north, the west, the south, and even in Jerusalem! God left them to test his people to see what was in their hearts. Would they love God fully? Would they serve him only? The book of Judges shows that they did not. They still need a new heart in order to love God and worship him alone.

4. Was Israel faithful to tell the new generation all the things God did through Moses and Joshua? What happened once Joshua died? What did they set up and who showed up?

No, Israel did not teach the new generation all the wonderful things God did for them. When Joshua died, the new generation went and bowed down after other gods and worshiped them instead of Yahweh. The Angel of the Lord shows up and condemns the people for breaking the covenant (Joshua 23-24). So. God says that Israel would never fully drive the Canaanites out but that they would become a snare or a trap for them.

5. Who did God raise up to deliver Israel? Did these Judges provide Israel rest? What did Jesus do that is far greater?

God raised up normal men, with all kinds of flaws. Throughout the book they actually get worse and worse. They give Israel temporary rest, but God will raise up Jesus who is the ultimate deliverer of his people. Jesus came to defeat sin, Satan, and death. Jesus is the one who will actually give his people a new heart so that they can love him. Jesus loved God fully and kept the covenant for us. Praise him!