Jesus and Judges

I've been preaching through the book of the Judges. It's been very intriguing on so many levels. There is the macro-level story of redemption that is being told and there is the micro-level story being told about the individual judges and the children of Israel.

The faithfulness of God stands out most as look at each narrative. Though Israel "does what is right in their own eye" to the neglect of God's eyes . . . salvation is being brought forth.

One of my efforts as a pastor and student of God's word is seeing the relationship of a given passage in light of the whole story of redemption (what we could call Biblical Theology). Here are some of the things I have learned to make that connection in the book of Judges.

1. Israel's faithfulness to the Covenant points towards a need of a better Covenant (in the blood of Christ).

2. "In those days there was no King in Israel," but in fact YHWY was the King, but His people rejected Him. (Not the first time Israel rejected their true King).

3. The Judges may be able to save from temporal calamity, but they have no remedy for the sins of the people or of their own sin (there is a need for a perfect remedy the blood of Jesus).

4. Ehud "the Left-handed Bathroom Assasin" is a seen as a weak savior who strikes down King Eglon (Christ was also seen as a weak savior when He defeated the prince of the power of the air at Calvary)

5. Jael brought victory to Israel by sending a "Nail Like Tent Peg" into the head of General Sisera (Christ had a nail shot through Him that ultimately found its way into the head of a snake).

More to come . . .