By Justin Dillehay, TGC.
Few books are as depressing as Judges. The old Methodist commentator Adam Clarke once lamented that some of its worst characters are people whom “humanity and modesty wish to be buried in everlasting oblivion.” The book serves as a painful reminder of what we’re capable of apart from God’s grace.
But unsurprisingly, human depravity in Judges also provides the dark backdrop for God’s mercy. Paul tells us that all Scripture is profitable for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). And Christ himself instructs us that the Scriptures testify about him (John 5:39; Luke 24:27). So let’s examine three ways this dark book of Judges contains glimmers of light that eventually lead to Jesus.
Rise of Judah
In the book’s opening words, we see the tribe of Judah singled out for prominence and leadership. Israel inquires of the Lord, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” The Lord responds, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand” (1:1–2).
The same thing happens near the book’s end, suggesting the author is trying to get our attention (20:18). Once again Israel inquires, and once again the Lord says, “Judah shall go up first.” This story of God choosing Judah to lead the other tribes in battle bookends Judges. In both cases, Judah takes the lead in defending Israel against its enemies, whether external (the Canaanites) or internal (Benjamin).
This prioritizing of Judah didn’t come out of nowhere. Long before Judges, we can see the beginnings of the tribe’s prominence. In Genesis, the tribe’s namesake emerges as a sacrificial leader among his brothers (Gen. 44:8–9, 14–34). His tribe is prophetically singled out as the one from which Israel’s kings would eventually come (49:8–10). Finally, during Israel’s time in the wilderness, we see the tribe setting out first on the march (Num. 2:1–9). After Judges, Judah’s military leadership over Benjamin will reemerge in 1 Samuel when a leader from Judah (David) replaces the leader from Benjamin (Saul).
Read here.