'Nevi’im (JPSA) 07: Judges' Summary

The Book of Judges is a collection of stories about the Israelites during the period between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy. The book tells of the Israelites' struggles to possess the land and their repeated failures to remain faithful to God. As a result of their unfaithfulness, the Israelites are often delivered into the hands of their enemies. However, when the Israelites repent, God raises up judges to deliver them from oppression. The book of Judges is a complex and multifaceted work. It is a historical account of the Israelites' struggles to possess the land, but it is also a theological reflection on the nature of sin and redemption. The book shows that the Israelites' failures are not simply due to their own shortcomings, but are also the result of the sinfulness of the world. However, the book also shows that God is faithful to his people and that he will not abandon them, even in their darkest times.