Judges: Cycle of the Judges
Throughout the first five books of the Old Testament, we see God’s people — the Israelites (or the children of Abraham, who’s name is changed to Israel) — taking shape as a nation. They are led out of captivity in Egypt by Moses. They wander through the wilderness where God gives them the law (the 10 commandments) and really teaches them what it means to belong to Him. After Moses, God shows His power through Joshua who leads the Israelites.
But then, we see God’s people turn away from Him.
Judges 2:11-12 | The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal. They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord.
They do this over and over again throughout the book of Judges. In fact, when you read the book closely, God’s people follow a pattern of actions over and over again.
The cycle begins with following God.
Then, God’s people turn away from Him.
Next, God allows his people to be conquered as slaves or captured by another country.
When things are terrible enough, His people finally pray and ask for His help.
So God raises a judge who delivers God’s message and God’s people.
Through the judge, God sets His people free, and then, God’s people worship and follow God again.
Then, God’s people repeat the cycle. This continues until the final judge ushers in the first king.
What about today? Judges were replaced by kings and kings were replaced by Jesus, so is the cycle from the judges over? It’s not!
God can use this cycle to draw the heart of a lost person to Himself.
As a person is far from God in sin, they may feel ruled by their sin - fear, insecurity, hate, anger, lust, discontentment, etc. When they finally have enough, they might call out - searching for help. This can lead them to try any number of things, but God will also draw them to Himself. If they turn to Him, He rescues them, forgiving them of their sin and giving them hope.
It would be great if the cycle stopped there. But even after following God, we still allow ourselves to repeat this cycle.
1. We realize what Jesus sacrificed for us (Romans 5:8; 2nd Corinthians 5:21) and for a time, we are faithful.
2. Then, we lose diligence and are captured by our own desires. (James 1:14; 1 John 2:16)
3. If we embrace the sin we desire, we find ourselves doing the very thing we hate (Romans 7:15), but feeling like we can’t escape. (Psalm 32:3-4)
4. When we realize our inability to rescue ourselves, we cry out to God for help. (Psalm 32:5)
5. Then, God reminds us of the rescuer — Jesus — who already nailed our sin to the cross (Colossians 2:14). Sometimes, He employs a judge — His Word or a person who helps guide us back to God’s way (2nd Timothy 3:16; Jude 1:23)
6. Finally, we worship God and follow Him again.
How do we prevent ourselves repeating this cycle over and over again? By choosing to diligently follow the Lord — keeping our eyes on Jesus by focusing on how He lived and all He did for us.
Hebrews 12:1-3 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Stop repeating the cycle of sin and shame by keeping your eyes on Jesus and faithfully following Him.
What judges are you familiar with?
What can we learn from the judges’ cycle? (Following God, turning away from Him, begin captured as slaves, crying out to God for help, God’s raising of a judge (rescuer), and God setting his people free?)
Have you ever made this cycle yourself? Where in the cycle are you right now?
How can we make sure we stay following God, rather than repeatedly turning away from Him?