Ditty Q.2

Ditty Q. 2: Why is the word “Judge” an accurate label for the leaders of the pre-monarchial Israel?

Simply the word “Judge” can be defined as the things done just and fair based on the witness. In other words, it is the right action taken for the right person. It could also mean a law of protection and deliverance. Kaiser defined “Judge” as “administering justice to, to pass the sentence, to settle a case, and to rule or command”(p.181).

To carry the mission of “judgment” upon the people, there were special people who do the job under the guidance and leading of Yahweh. They were Judges who acted like a lawyer or advocate having thorough and accurate knowledge about the Law of Moses. Moreover, the judges were the one who were elected, raised up, and anointed by God to lead Israel in times of their leadership crisis and they played a role of leaders, deliverer, and savior (Judges 2:16). The laws and consequences are equally abiding to all Israelites both the leaders and the people alike.

The laws of the Old Testament were always direct confrontations and the judgments were very literal. It was give and take process, e.g. “teeth for teeth,” “an eye for an eye,” “life for a life” etc. there was no excuse for revenge and disobedience. Their daily life was based on the command and order of the leaders who received the same order from Yahweh concerning their moral life, socio-economic affairs, and their relationship with Yahweh. If the people obey, they were blessed and victorious and if the people failed and disobeyed it was always a curse and the consequence was heavy upon the people.

Indeed, the history of Israel’s journey was judged and defined by the real judge who was the Yahweh Himself, judges the people. However, they did not contend with the Yahweh’s judge through their leaders and later they were filled with an evil desire for human King to rule over them (Lester Hutson.4). This is the greatest mistake of their selfishness and the beginning of bringing new judge ever in the history of Israel because the people could not recognized the real judge in their lives. Thus, in the pre-monarchial period the leader played a role of judge and rule the nation.

References:

The Holy Bible (NIV). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.

Kaiser, Walter C. A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars. Nashville, Tennessee: Brodman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Hutson, Lester. Survey of Bible History: The Judges to the Kings.http://www.bereanhouston.org/Library/Judges/Lesson01.htm. Internet.