The judge or deliverer in the book of Judges can be compared to Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

From these two books one can learn how God deals with sin, oppression and deliverance. God calls people and not organizations to change things.

The spiritual truths that run through the ages are emphasized here. These truths are still in force today – Jesus praises and warns in the first chapters of Revelation, which symbolically also represent the churches today, otherwise they would not have been mentioned in the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Although we live in a time of forgiveness, there will come a day, when God puts an end to everything.

Symbolically, the Book of Judges is the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit through the judges in the Old Testament. This happened because God is faithful to His covenant, and to preserve the newborn land.

When the people sinned by not taking the land that was assigned to them and by worshipping idols, the words of the covenant were put into effect. This happened every time a new generation grew up.

God had warned the people ahead of what would happen if they forgot Him.

Leviticus 26:14-26: If you reject my laws and regulations, I will deal differently with you – etc.

Deuteronomy 28:15-68: If you do not obey my commands, these curses will come upon you – etc.

When everyone does, what they think is right, there will never be an agreement.

We cannot decide or change what is right and wrong for ourselves.

In the Old Testament, God tested the people in two ways.

1) Abraham and Isaac’s trial. Abraham wanted to sacrifice Isaac – fortunately he didn’t have to, but he obeyed God by trying.

Have we completely surrendered our lives to God, by not only believing in Him, but also obeying Him.

2) God tests us again and again to see what is in our hearts.

Likewise, are we tested in the different life situations, that we find ourselves in, which are (our Canaan) we thereby have the opportunity to grow in faith. Our faith is tested sometime through trials.

Today’s esoteric mysticism can be compared to idolatry, because we no longer focus on God, with Jesus Christ as the way to eternal life.

Othniel Judges chapter 3,8 – After Joshua died, the Israelites turned back from the Lord. The result – God allowed King Cushan-Rishathaim of Syria to defeat and oppress them for 8 years. When the people cried out to the Lord, He sent a deliverer, Othniel, who had known Joshua, and therefore was familiar with the background of the people. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him and as a judge, he carried out reforms and defeated the Syrian king with the Lord’s help.

Othniel then lived 40 years and was a judge in Israel during that time.

 

Revelation 2:11 The Church in Smyrna, is the only church where Jesus had nothing to correct. He says: I know what you have done. I know your tribulation and your poverty – and yet you are rich.

Encouragement: Be faithful even if it costs you your life. This church passed the test. They helped each other and endured.

Ehud represents the church in Smyrna. He used the double-edged sword, and first confronted the leader behind the tribulations.

David and Goliath is a similar example.

John Revelation chapter 1.16. From the mouth of Jesus came a double-edged sword. It symbolizes the word, it has power and thus Satan is defeated.

Jesus also used the word, when he was tested in the desert by Satan after fasting for 40 days.

Hebrews 4:12:  The word of God is living and active, it is sharper than a double-edged sword.

Judges chapter 4. Deborah and Barak.

After Ehud died, the people turned away from the Lord again.

This time God called a woman Deborah as a deliverer. She was gifted with prophetic gifts and used to sit under Deborah’s palm tree – where the people came to her with their lawsuits. Deborah sent for Barak with the message to gather an army to liberate the country.

Barak replied: I will only go if you go with me. Deborah replied: I will go with you, but I warn you, a woman will be the one who will win the victory.

The oppressor King Jabin of Hazor had a general named Sisera. He had 900 iron chariots to his disposal.

As Deborah had prophesied, it was the woman Jael who killed the leader Sisera. The Lord created panic in the enemy army and Barak had victory.

Revelation 2:12. Message to the church in Perganum.

Jesus praised the church for their faithfulness, but at the same time warned those who hold to the teachings of Balaam. Balaam taught King Balak how to deceive the people.

Jesus says: If you do not change, I will come after you with the sword of my mouth. Before Jesus judges, He has given a prophetic word through someone or other. You see the two-edged sword, the word of God in action.

Judges chapter 6. Gideon. Again the people began to worship idols, and once again they were handed over to the enemy. The Midianites were so harsh against them, that many fled to the mountains.

The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, when he was threshing wheat in the winepress – so as not to be discovered by the oppressors. The Lord is with you, mighty warrior, the angel announced. Gideon had not forgotten the Lord, for he asks: Why are we in such trouble? Was it not the Lord, as our ancestors claimed, who brought us out of Egypt? The angel answered: I will strengthen you, for I have chosen you to save Israel from the Midianites.

Gideon must have been a very cautious man, because he asks several times for a sign, the wool of a sheep, see verse 26.

Finally Gideon is convinced, he gathers an army and goes to the hill of Moreh, where the Midianite army was, but the Lord is not yet finished convincing Gideon.

In chapter 7 he is told, that they are far too many, those who are afraid 22,000 was to return home. After another test, 300 of the army remain.

Gideon is told to sneak into the camp of the Midianites to hear what is being said. There he hears one soldier tell another a dream. The Midianite soldier interprets the dream himself. Gideon now knows in advance that victory is his. See verse 14. The Lord created confusion in the enemy camp and Gideon won overwhelmingly.

When God is in control, everything is easy. Gideon listened to the Lord’s advice. With each sign he received, he became more confident. We also see, that he had to first remove the altar of Baal and build a new one to the Lord in its place. Idols must be eradicated, for all glory belongs to God.

It is quite clear that we are really just an instrument in God’s hands. He lets us do what we can, and then He does the rest.

Revelation 2:18. The message to the church in Thyatira. Jezebel is mentioned as the one who seduces the Lord’s servants. She stands for a whole series of debaucheries – corruption and all the sins of the world. She followed in the footsteps of Balak.

The same spirit has deep roots down through the generations today. One only has to follow what is happening in the world. Next to earthquakes and disasters, one corrupt case after another is brought to light. Shouldn’t it remind us of Jesus‘ words: I have given her time to repent, otherwise she and her children will be punished.

Verse 24 Jesus says: You who do not know the depths of Satan – hold on to what you have until I come. I will give you authority over the nations. It points to the last days of the world before Jesus‘ second coming.

Abimelech. Judges chapter 9. Gideon left behind 70 sons. With a concubine in Shechem he had a son named Abimelech. He took revenge on his half brothers by killing them. Only one named Jotham escaped, but Abimelech became king of Israel and Shechem.

From the top of Mount Gerizim, Jotham cursed Abimelech and the people of Shechem with a curse for their atrocities. This prophetic curse was fulfilled. Justice prevailed – Abimelech and the people of Shechem all perished.

Revelations chapter 3. The church in Sardis.

Jesus begins by saying about himself: These are the words of the one who has the seven spirits and the seven stars. I know what you have done, and that you are dead. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me in white.

The comparison is clear – the number 7 is mentioned – it is God’s number, creation took place in 6 days and on the 7th day God rested. Only a few are saved – the rest are the living dead if they do not repent.

Judges chapters 11 and 12. Jephthah was called

Jephthah was chased away from home, because his father’s sons did not like him. He was a good soldier, homeless people therefore joined him.

The leaders of Gilead sent for him and asked him to help them against the Ammonites, who had begun to torment them. They promised to make him king, if he was victorious. Jephthah was persuaded.

Verse 29 – The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah. He promised God the first thing that came out of the door, upon his return, if the Lord would give him victory.

Jephthah wins over the Ammonites and returns home. His only child, a daughter, comes singing and dancing out of the door to meet him.

Jephthah exclaims: Alas, my daughter, you have broken my heart – for I have made a vow to the Lord, that I cannot possibly take back. Jephthah allows her to retreat to the mountains for 2 months with her friends, to cry over all the things she did not get to share in life. Then she came back and Jephthah fulfilled his promise to the Lord.

It is best not to promise the Lord something, that you do not want or cannot keep. What really happen after that, is not clear, because it is forbidden to sacrifice children in the Old Testament. May be she was to stay in the tempel for the rest of her life.

God himself kept his promise and gave his only son for all of us.

Verse 12. After Jephthah came Ibzan.

He had 30 sons 30 daughters and 30 daughters-in-law. He judged Israel 7 years.

Verse 13. After him came Elon.

He had 40 sons and 30 grandchildren and rode on 70 donkeys.

Revelation chapters 3-7: The Church in Philadelphia.

Verse 8. I have set an open door before you, because you hold on to my name, although you have little strength.

Verse 10. I have seen that you hold fast to my exhortations to endure. Therefore I will also keep you and deliver you from the hour of trial that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Comparison: God gave us his only son who voluntarily died for us all. He fulfilled all the prophetic words that had been spoken about him throughout the ages.

It sounds like a fairy tale but it is true. Samson had the gift of miracles of the supernatural.

Chapter 14 – Samsom verdens stærkeste man, married a woman from the Philistines. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, in critical situations with the Philistines and brought him victory.

He was seduced by Delilah, and revealed the secret about his hair that was not to be cut. Deliah did just that, Thus, God’s power left him until the hair had grown back.

Revelation 3:14. To the church in Laodicea, Jesus says:

Because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. You are wretched, pitiful, poor and naked. The same was true of Samson after he fell for Delilah.

Jesus further says: Buy me clean white clothes, so that you will not walk around in shame.

Samson had his eyes gouged out. Jesus says: Also buy eye salve, so that you can see, where you are going. It is dangerous to stand with one foot on each side. The price is high.

Samson finally won, even though it cost him his life.

Finally, Jesus says: I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, just as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on my throne.