The Christadelphian Instructor/Concerning Israel Under The Judges

110. When Israel, under Joshua, had destroyed the seven nations of Canaan, what did they do with their land? Answer: They divided it amongst themselves by lot, and settled down in it to live in it according to the laws God had given them by Moses.

Proof:

Joshua 18:1-10

And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD. (Psa. 105:43-45).

111. Did they continue obedient to those laws? Answer: Yes, so long as Joshua was alive and the old men who outlived him. After that, they turned away from the law of Moses, and began to do as the Canaanites did who lived near them. They forsook the worship of God and worshipped idols.

Proof:

Joshua 2:6-18; Psa. 106:34-39

112. What was the consequence of their turning away from the law of Moses? Answer: God brought them into great trouble by allowing the neighbouring nations to get the upper hand of them, and drive them out of their houses, and take possession of their goods and lands.

Proof:

And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. (Josh. 2:14-15).

Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. (Psa. 106:40-43).

113. Did these troubles destroy Israel? Answer: No. When they got into trouble, they repented of their disobedience, and cried to God; and time after time, during a period of 450 years, God raised them up judges who delivered them.

Proof:

Josh. 2:16-23; Acts 13:19-20

114. Can you name the judges He so raised up? Answer: After Joshua, Othniel, Ehud, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Abimelech, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibsan, Elon, Abdon, Samson, Eli, and Samuel. These judges, though coming one after the other, did not all succeed each other in an unbroken line. There were intervals during which Israel was oppressed by neighbouring kings.

Proof:

The book of Judges and 1 Sam. chapters 1-3