The Imperfect Judges God Chose vs. the Perfect Judge God Chose

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The Book of Judges is one topic that I seldom hate to tackle. It's because the final verse reminds me of why this world drives me crazy. Every man tends to do what's right in their own eyes rather than do what's right in God's eyes. How often is the world in rebellion against God today? Very much. You can check the media right now. You can find the government and their anti-God policies. You can find politically correct people spew out blatant lies that defy common sense. The Book of Judges also tackles the issue of a sin cycle. Israel sins, God delivers them to wicked men, they repent. God sends a deliverer, the deliverer dies, and it starts all over again!

You can imagine the situation of how the era of the judges begins. Joshua had died and many have deviated from his path. The problem comes with a new generation of Israelites that were unsaved (Judges 2:10). The same problems happen all over and over again. I'm amazed at how often fathers who have an outstanding political or social record sires a bad son. The reason may be because they are too busy being great somewhere else that they fail to be great mentors to their sons. Samuel the last judge of Israel was a good judge but he was a lousy father. The high priest Eli's sons were men of Satan and not men of God. In recent days, some pastors even have unsaved children. Others may be great politicians but their children are so wayward. It's very important to have a balance between family and work now, isn't it?

We have the case of the imperfect judges. These are but men. I was reading through the late Vernon McGee's "Thru the Bible Commentary" and he shows how God works through weak men. You can think of the imperfections of these judges. Some are even blatantly spelled out in the whole book. let's these significant heroic judges and show their weaknesses:
  • Othniel himself from what I can see was married to his uncle's daughter or first cousin on the father's side. Why this was still allowed back then is somewhat questionable. I could think of how cousin marriages were possibly not yet banned until later on. 
  • Ehud himself was a left-handed man. Being left-handed was frequently viewed as a handicap. Yet, God used this instance to get Eglon assassinated in his own cooling chamber. From what I heard from McGee's commentary - this allowed him to have his dagger on the opposite side. Most people had it on the left side so it can be drawn from the right hand. 
  • For Shamgar, not much is known except he was only human. 
  • Barak himself was pretty much a coward. He always required Deborah the prophetess' help. However, God still used him to deliver the nation in spite of his lack of courage. For whatever courage he lacked - he was quick to listen to advice that came from God. 
  • Gideon was even worse than Barak before getting chosen. You can imagine him working in a very hidden, inconvenient location out of fear for the Midianites. Yet, he led 300 Israelites to combat the Midianites aided by the power of God.
  • Jephthah is really a bad case. He had a big mouth. He was also an illegitimate child and no bastard was ever allowed inside the congregation of God (Deuteronomy 23:2). I can't imagine how he would immediately make a vow without thinking twice. He was however serious in giving his daughter to the service of the LORD. 
  • Samson is probably the worst example of a judge. For a man who was entrusted with supernatural strength - he made poor use of it! Judges 13-16 records more of his foolishness than his feats. We don't know what accomplishments he had in 20 years. Samson only ended up liberating Israel by taking down the Temple of Dagon along with him. It wasn't an act of suicide but an act of war to liberate Israel from oppression.

I always thought about it that these judges are but a shadow of things to come. Do you remember when Jesus talked about the unjust judge in a parable in Luke 18:2-8? The unjust judge couldn't bear the widow's nagging and he ended up doing what he had to do. If an unjust judge would eventually give justice then there's a perfect judge who gives justice. 1 Peter 2:23 has it that Jesus handed things over to God the Father who judges righteously.

The Book of Judges also presents some contrasts. You can think of how Samson stretched his arms to free Israel in an act of war. Jesus stretched His arms on the cross to grant forgiveness for lost sinners. Jephthah was cursed to never have his line continue. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic dynasty. Barak and Gideon represent the worst cowards in us. Jesus gives that courage. The heroes in the Book of Judges were all but sinners in need of grace. 

Jesus is the perfect judge whom the Father has chosen to deliver the world (John 5:27-30). He knows everything that has happened. If you've broken one of God's rules then you are a violator of the Law. The penalty is certain and it's death. The big question is will you receive Him as your Lord and Savior or will you end up having the Lord as your Judge to send you to the Lake of Fire? 

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