dark setting As in all books of the Bible, God does not furnish a diagnosis of sin and guilt unless He also prescribes a cure I PREPARATION FOR STUDY Read Exodus 18:21-26 The judges referred to here were civil magistrates, ful lling the judicial functions usually associated with the o ce of judge These magistrates should not be confused with the judges of the book bearing the name Judges The latter are shophetim (Heb.), commissioned by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of their enemies, usually by war, and then to rule the people during the era of peace Read Judges 2:16; 3:9 Refer to a Bible dictionary for a description of both types of judges The era of judges during Israel’s occupation of Canaan was one of many important phases of the nation’s history Study carefully Chart 33, which represents all of Israel’s history from Genesis through Malachi Observe the duration of the period of judges (The bottom of the chart indicates the Bible’s coverage of this history.) Now observe on Chart 34 the order and dates of the judges' reigns (Note: Eli, a priest-judge, and Samuel, a prophet-judge, not appear in the Bible until Samuel.) Begin now to become acquainted with the names of these judges, for they are the main characters of this Bible book Review your study of Joshua Many comparisons may be made between the books of Joshua and Judges, some of which are listed here: JOSHUA JUDGES Upward trend, spiritually Downward trend, spiritually One man is prominent No One man is prominent Israel as at tutored child Israel as an adult Victory Defeat Fidelity Apostasy As the book of Joshua closes, Israel is shown taking a stand for God Thus they entered into the promised blessings of the inheritance—victory, prosperity, and happiness—which is the life God would always have His people lead They were still surrounded by enemies; indeed, some enemies still lived within their boundaries But if they would obey God’s commands concerning these enemies, they would have the power of the Almighty with them In the book of Judges we shall see Israel turning away from God and doing the very things which God through Moses and Joshua had repeatedly besought them not to ... phases of the nation’s history Study carefully Chart 33, which represents all of Israel’s history from Genesis through Malachi Observe the duration of the period of judges (The bottom of the chart... with the names of these judges, for they are the main characters of this Bible book Review your study of Joshua Many comparisons may be made between the books of Joshua and Judges, some of which... They were still surrounded by enemies; indeed, some enemies still lived within their boundaries But if they would obey God’s commands concerning these enemies, they would have the power of the