Judges

Judges

Dear Friends,

I hope you’ve found our long read through of St Matthew a useful exercise and are enjoying these joyful days of Easter. 

For the next four weeks or so the Revd Dr Janet Tollington, a retired minister and member of Downing Place URC in Cambridge will lead us through the Book of Judges.  As many of you know Janet is an Old Testament specialist and taught at our Westminster College inspiring generations of our ministers with a love of the Old Testament.  She writes:

The Book of Judges may seem to be an unlikely source of devotional material; but it is a book in which I have discovered much about God and about humanity.  To me it has become a rich treasury and I hope you will journey with me through its pages in the coming weeks and find inspiration along the way.  

The opening words and some of the stories in Judges link back to the Book of Joshua.  The closing chapters lead into the story of Israel’s monarchy; but most probably the Book of Judges reached its current shape centuries later, in the post-exilic period.  Some of the material may have much earlier origins (e.g. the Song of Deborah in Judges 5 and the Samson stories) but the book has clearly been edited in response to several phases of Israel’s history.  The book purports to tell us about the period after the twelve tribes had settled into their allotted territories in the promised land until the time that they began to ask for a king – that story unfolds in 1 Samuel. However a careful reading reveals much more about theology than history; and the power of story-telling to reveal deeper truths.  
Over the next month we will explore the whole Book of Judges; but at times we will focus on selected verses from lengthy chapters rather than reading every story in detail.  Some of the stories may seem familiar, although I suspect that the ‘Sunday School’ versions you remember may have sanitised the text and perhaps even presented some characters as heroes of the faith, when the book reveals them as much less edifying.  Other stories are probably little known.  You may find the graphic description of violence in some passages abhorrent; but I hope that I can help you understand the importance of such material within scripture as it helps us reflect on the human condition with honesty.

The book has a clear structure: an opening prologue and introductory section; a central core beginning in chapter 3 consisting of a series of ‘deliverer’ stories; and an epilogue (17:1 onwards) demonstrating the need for a monarchy because the so called ‘period of the Judges’ has failed.

As we journey together through this book I hope that we will glimpse something of God’s amazing capacity to work through flawed humanity.  There is much to challenge us in these traditions; but much to inspire us too. So come with me as we explore the book, trusting that God will bring us to a fuller understanding of how these stories can enrich our faith and discipleship.

With every good wish

Andy

The Rev’d Andy Braunston
Minister for Digital Worship