The Cycle Of Sin In The Book Of Judges By Boadt

The book of Judges is part of a collection of books that the Jewish tradition labels as Former Prophets, whereas the Christian tradition labels them as Historical books. This book narrates the conquest efforts of the people of ancient Israel, who struggled to maintain their fidelity and devotion to the one true God. The book recounts the tale of twelve “judges,” who were truly military leaders. Six are considered “minor judges” because of their negligible role. The other six were “major judges” because of their significant role in ancient Israel's mission towards land infiltration. Boadt explained that “Because of their recognized authority as war leaders, the chiefs also exercised power in legal disputes between tribes and in political squabbles.” (167)
The book of Judges is a significant book for several reasons, particularly because of a dynamic that is detailed there and that has been called the “Judges' Cycle.” This refers to the cycle of sin that Israel experienced during the “period of the judges [which] represented a spirit of compromise with the pagan culture of the land” (Boadt, 168); a cycle that is present throughout the book. This sin cycle is a continuous pattern consisting of five moments: “(1) apostasy; (2) punishment; (3) cry and response; (4) deliverance (by a “judge” or leader); and (5)
momentary rest (until the death of that judge)” as we saw in Dr. Czander's powerpoint presentation this week. We see this pattern clearly in two verses of chapter two (vs. 18-19): “When the LORD raised up judges for them, he would be with the judge and save them from the power of their enemies as long as the judge lived. The LORD would change his mind when they groaned in their affliction under their oppressors. But when the judge died, they would again do worse than their ancestors, following other gods, serving and bowing down to them, relinquishing none of their evil practices or stubborn ways.”
The story of Gideon (a sort of superhero) portrays well this cycle of judges, or cycle of sin. Chapter six begins with the narrative of how the Israelites offended the Lord (vs 1, apostasy). As a result, they are punished when God “deliver[s] them into the power of Midian for seven years, so that Midian held Israel subject.” (6: 1-2) Consequently, the Israelites suffered tremendously as their enemy destroyed their plants and livestock.
The moment of repentance is found beginning verse 6, when they cried out to the Lord.
We read about the cry and response in verses 7-10, “When Israel cried out to the LORD because of Midian, he sent a prophet to the Israelites...” and, through this prophet, the Lord reminded them of all that He had said and done. The second part of this response to their cry is found in verses 11-18, when an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.” (vs 14) [This reminds us of God's words to Moses in Exodus 3:14 - “I am who I am.... tell the Israelites, 'I AM sent me to
you.”]
Beginning with chapter seven, we see how God eventually defeated Midian through Gideon. Prior to entering the battle, God instructed Gideon to reduce his number of soldiers from 32,000 to 300, so that the Israelites would know that the victory came by the power of God and not theirs. The climax of the deliverance is detailed in verses 22-23, when, under the leadership of Gideon, 300 Israelites ultimately overpowered 135,000 (Judges 8:10) Midianites. There is a very brief period of rest. Nonetheless, when Gideon died, the pattern repeated, for “The Israelites again abandoned themselves to the Baals, making Baal of Berith their god and forgetting the LORD, their God, who had delivered them from the power of their enemies all around them.” (8:33-35)
In this story, we see how the Judges' cycle reveals the sinfulness of humanity. However, it also reveals God's mercy toward those who cry to Him in repentance. God sends the help that the people need, and the people are able to accomplish wonderful things with God's assistance. However, the cycle also demonstrates how we are often unfaithful to God and the covenant even though God remains faithful to the covenant He has with us.