Study questions

Life-Study of Judges

1. An Introductory Word

  1. What is the intrinsic significance of the book of Judges?
  2. What is the content and central thought of the book of Judges?

2. The Beautiful Scene of Israel's Trusting in God

  1. How do we see a marvelous picture of oneness with the Lord, of the organic union of God with His people, in the picture of Judah's boldness and victory?
  2. What are some of the defects that we see in the beautiful scene of Israel's trusting in God?

3. The Miserable History of Israel's Forsaking of God - Chapters 2—16 (1)

  1. What is the significance of the Angel of Jehovah in the book of Judges, and how is this related to the intrinsic significance of this book?
  2. What were the reasons for Israel's forsaking of God?

4. The Miserable History of Israel's Forsaking of God - Chapters 2—16 (2) The First Three Cycles of the Miserable History of Israel

  1. What is the significance of God raising up Deborah as a female leader among the children of Israel? What are some of the crucial characteristics of Deborah?
  2. What is the significance of the word in Judges 5:15-16 concerning "great resolutions in heart" and "great searchings in heart"? How does this apply to the vital groups today, and how does this relate to the principle of incarnation?

5. The Miserable History of Israel's Forsaking of God - Chapters 2—16 (3) The Fourth Cycle of Israel's Miserable History

  1. What is the intrinsic significance of the record concerning Gideon? What were the four things that made Gideon successful and what was the result of these four factors?
  2. What can we learn from Gideon's failure?

6. The Miserable History of Israel's Forsaking of God - Chapters 2—16 (4) The Fifth Cycle of Israel's Miserable History

  1. What is the intrinsic significance of the fifth and sixth cycles of Israel's miserable history?
  2. Describe how the chaos in society and the chaos among God's people issues from their forsaking of God.

7. The Miserable History of Israel's Forsaking of God - Chapters 2—16 (5) The Sixth Cycle of Israel's Miserable History

  1. Describe how the matter of forsaking God and being joined to Satan is fully revealed and recorded in the Scriptures. How does this relate to the Lord's recovery today?
  2. According to this message, what is a practical way to be saved from forsaking God in Christ in our daily living?

8. The Miserable History of Israel's Forsaking of God - Chapters 2—16 (6) The Seventh Cycle of Israel's Miserable History

  1. What was Samson's unique problem? What are some passages in the New Testament that relate to this matter?
  2. Describe the characteristics of Samson as a Nazarite used by God to deliver God's people.

9. The Stinking Story of Israel's Corruption Before God - Chapters 17—21 (1) The Abominable Chaos in Their Worship

  1. What were the three ways that Israel became chaotic in its degradation?
  2. How does the account in Judges 17 and 18 concerning the abominable chaos in Israel's worship typify the degradation in Christianity?

10. The Stinking Story of Israel's Corruption Before God - Chapters 17—21 (2) The Sodomitical Corruption in Their Morality and the Terrible Slaughter Among Their Tribes

  1. What is the intrinsic significance of the books of Joshua and Judges, and how does it relate to the degradation and chaos seen in the book of Judges?
  2. How do we see the sodomitical corruption in Israel's morality in Judges 19, and what is the conclusion of the book of Judges?