The Othniel Character Of Judges In The Book Of Israel

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In the book of Judges it is evident that Israel’s constant disobedience in the eyes of God has led them in a downward spiral in history. As Israel goes deeper into rebellion and chaos, the cycle of rebellion remains and the judges themselves deteriorate. In the prologue of the book of Judges there is a recurring cycle of apostasy, oppression, penitence, and deliverance. The judges were all endowed by God to lead His people, but they were not always leaders of ideal character. In chapter one the Israelites fail to keep the covenant with God. Despite God’s divine deliverance Israel continues to turn away from him.
There are countless examples of the recurring cycle throughout the book of Judges. Each cycle begins with sin and rebellion then God sends an enemy nation to conquer and chastise the people. When the people seek deliverance God raises up a judge to deliver them. The first example of the cycle is how Othniel came to become the first judge. The sin was that they were
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He made a vow to God that if he was able to return home in victory from war, he would sacrifice whoever first appeared at the door of his house. Unfortunately, it was his daughter that appeared at the door. Next there is a brief description of Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. They were all minor judges that delivered Israel. Samson, from the tribe of Dan, was a judge that let wealth and women get the best of him. Samson was a judge that had great strength. He let his guard down but God eventually gives him strength to defeat the Philistines.
The book of Judges is arranged in a way that shows how Israel is in a constant downward fall at this time. Without a true king there is no hope for the Israelites. God empowered the judges to provide Israel with a leader but that was still not enough. The ultimate leader that Israel needed was God but the Israelites kept turning away from him. In Judges we see that the judges have some flaws as

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