Part 6 (1/2)

From the death of Joshua (about B C 1426) to the coronation of Saul (B C 1095) the twelve tribes of Israel ithout a central govern thee of anarchy,” for anarchy is confusion; and during most of the three hundred and thirty years there were peace and order in Israel It was rather an age of heroes, for its rulers were neither hereditary nor elective, but men called forth by the needs of the hour and their own qualities of leadershi+p

I =THE CONDITION OF ISRAEL DURING THIS PERIOD= This was partly favorable, and partly unfavorable The favorable elements were:

1 =The mountain location= of Israel The tribes were perched like Switzerland in the Alps There was a desert on the south and on the east, while on the west lay the plain by the sea, the great route of travel between Egypt and the Euphrates Great arreat battles were fought by Egyptians, Hittites, and assyrians, while Israel on her mountain peaks was unenerally unnoticed, and, when attacked, almost inaccessible

2 =The racial unity= of Israel The two finest races of the world, the Greek and the Israelite, were both of pure blood The Israelites were one in origin, in language, in traditions, in aspirations This national unity often brought the tribes together in tih not alhen their union was needed

3 =The religious institutions= In Greece every town had its own God and its own religion; hence the many parties and petty nationalities

But in Israel there was in theory but one altar, one house of God, one systeious capital (1 Sam 1 3) Just to the measure in which these institutions were observed, Israel was strong against all foes, and as they were neglected the land beca 2 7-14; 1 Sam 7 3)

But there were also unfavorable elements in the condition of Israel, which threatened its very existence These were:

1 =The native races= These were of two kinds: the subject peoples left on the soil, more or less under the do nations, Aer from their enmity, a rebellion of the subject tribes, allied with the enemies around, for the destruction of Israel And there was far greater danger froe, to idolatry, to corruption of

3 1-7)

2 =Lack of a central government= Israel was in the condition of the United States at the close of the Revolution, from 1783 to 1789, a loose confederation with no central authority There were twelve tribes, but each governed itself Only under soreat chieftain like Gideon or Saes ruled only over their own district of a few adjoining tribes Often the northern tribes were in peril, but we never read of Judah going to their assistance; and in Judah's ith the Philistines the northern tribes stood aloof

3 =Tribal jealousy= Until the establishment of the Ath of ti In Greece the strongest state claiemony_, or leadershi+p, and oppressed its allies In Italy the Rohbors to subjection In Europe it now requires an army of more than a million men to maintain the ”balance of power” So in Israel there was a constant struggle for the leadershi+p between the two great tribes of Judah and Ephraies Ephraiht to rule the other tribes (Judg 8 1-3; 12 1-6) We trace this rivalry through all the reign of David; and at last it led to the division of the empire under Rehoboam

4 =Idolatrous tendencies= We note constantly ”the two Israels”--a spiritual ious, idolatrous reatest evil of Israelite history was the tendency to the worshi+p of idols Causes which operated to pro for a visible object of worshi+p, not altogether eradicated froes and ritualistic bowing toward the altar 2) The association of Israel with idolaters on the soil or as neighbors 3) The opportunity which idol-worshi+p gives to gratify lust under the guise of religion As a result of these forces we find idol-worshi+p the crying sin of the Israelites down to the captivity in Babylon

II =THE JUDGES OF ISRAEL= These were the heroes of that age, the men who in turn led the tribes, freed them from their enemies, and restored them to the service of God

1 =Their office= It was not generally to try legal cases between arded as a ious authority The judge was a union of the warrior and the religious reformer

2 =Their appointment=; not by election, nor the votes of the people

The Orientals have never chosen their rulers by suffrage The judges were nized as called of God to their office (Judg 2 16; 3 9; 6 11-13)

3 =Their authority= rested not on law, nor on arrity and leadershi+p in the eneral belief in their inspiration They spoke to the people with the authority of a reat need, and after the ier was over held their power until the end of their lives

4 =The extent of their rule= was generally local, over a few tribes in one section Deborah ruled in the north (Judg 5 14-18); Jephthah governed the east of the Jordan only (Judg 11 29) Oftenat the same time; probably Samson and Eli were contemporaneous Gideon and Samuel alone ruled all the twelve tribes

III =THE OPPRESSIONS AND DELIVERERS= During these three centuries the influences already nan power The story was always the sa idols, subjection, reformation, victory, and temporary prosperity We notice the seven oppressions Some of these were undoubtedly conte 3 7-11) Probably this was over the southern portion, and the invaders came by the east and around the Dead Sea, as earlier invaders from the same land had come (Gen 14

1-7) The deliverer was Othniel, the first judge, and the only judge of the tribe of Judah

2 =The Moabite Oppression= (Judg 3 12-30) Over the eastern and central section, including Ephraiht at the ford of the river Jordan (verse 28)

3 =The Early Philistine Oppression= (Judg 3 31) Over the south-west, on the frontier of Judah; deliverer, Sha 4) Over the northern tribes; deliverer, Deborah, the woe; battle at Mount Tabor

5 =The Midianite Oppression= (Judg 6 1-6) Over the northern center, especially Manasseh-east; the reatest of the judges (Judg 6 11, 12); battle, on Mount Gilboa (Judg 7), followed by other victories (Judg 8)

6 =The A 10 7-9) Note an alliance between the Aestive; mainly over the tribes on the east of Jordan; deliverer, Jephthah[F] (Judg 11); victory at Aroer (verse 33)

7 =The Philistine Oppression= (Judg 13) This was the most protracted of all, for it extended, with intervals of freedom, for a hundred years; embraced all the land, but was most heavily felt south of Mounts Car 13 5), but he was led astray by sensual lusts and became a failure Freedom was later won by Samuel at the battle of Ebenezer (1 Sam 7 7-14); but the oppression was renewed in the time of Saul, and became heavier than ever (1 Sam

13 17-20) Finally the yoke was broken by David, in a succession of victories, ending with the capture of Gath, the Philistine capital (2 Sam 5 17-25; 1 Chron 18 1)