The Next Judge

The Book of Judges describes the activities of the twelve judges who protected Israel after the death of Joshua presumably until the monarchy was established by Saul, about 1051 BC. There are additional judges identified outside of the Book of Judges; 

1) Moses: the first judge of Israel, mentioned in Exodus 18:13, 16 

2) Eli: a priest and judge mentioned in 1 Samuel 1:9 

3) Samuel: a prophet and judge mentioned in 1 Samuel 7:15–17 

4) Samuel's sons: mentioned in 1 Samuel 8:1–5 

5) Joel and Abiah: mentioned in the First Book of Samuel 

6) Kenaniah and his sons: mentioned in the First Book of Chronicles 

7) Amariah and Zebadiah: mentioned in the Second Book of Chronicles  

The Judges ruled over one or more tribes of Israel for anywhere between six years and eighty years; eighty years being a singular occurrence. After the death of the judge the people strayed from following God, and eventually found themselves suppressed by their enemies and again in need of a deliverer. God eventually sent a judge. 

The last statement in the Book of Judges encapsulates the WHY of the Book of Judges;

Judges: 21:25; "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

Today we’d say, "In those days there was no ruler in the hearts of the people so everyone did that which was right in their own eyes."------> An ungoverned people could only be saved by an external ruler, a judge. 

Today the power of God resides inside of each and every one of us. We all must choose to yield to Him. 

Two Scriptures that might help us see what was happening then and what might be happening now – 

1.Luke 20:25-26 KJV And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. 

2.2 Chronicles 16: 9 KJV For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. 

We don’t need a president. We need a judge! Pray that God will send one.