The Reason God Raised Up Judges and the Blessings (Judges 2:16–23)
The Reason God Raised Up Judges and the Blessings (Judges 2:16–23) 3/1/2026
In the Book of Judges, the next generation of Israel repeatedly failed. They were continually attacked by the Canaanites and even lived having the crops they worked so hard to harvest taken from them. This is why the Book of Judges was recorded.
At that time, God raised up judges and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them (16). The Hebrew word for “plunderers” means “destroyers” or “those who take away.” Spiritually, it symbolizes Satan in John 10:10. He is the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Christ came to give us life and to allow us to enjoy it abundantly. Ultimately, the twelve judges represent Christ and the spiritual leaders He raises up.
The word “judge” originally means “one who judges,” but here they functioned as “deliverers” (16). That Deliverer is Christ.
We must ask an important question. After God established such tremendous victory and systems of conquest through Joshua, why did He allow this to happen? The answer appears in verses 21–22, but we will reflect on that next week from the pulpit.
More importantly, we must discover how God’s people could suffer such failure and shame, and what covenant they were to hold onto at that time.
- Through the book of Joshua, God has already warned why his people suffer in the world
It happens when God’s people lose hold of their covenant with Him and compromise with the world or follow the world again.
1) This was Joshua’s earnest plea in his final sermon.
① If they mixed with the Canaanites and served their idols, it would become thorns, snares, and traps to them (Joshua 23:13). God even warned that He would withdraw the blessings He had given and turn them into disasters (Joshua 24:20).
② God told them He chose Israel and promised He would bless His chosen people.
If they entered Canaan and held only to God’s Word and followed Him, everything would become a blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1–19). The same blessing is promised to us who are saved in this age (Ephesians 1:3–5).
③ When Joshua declared, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” the people also vowed to do the same.
At Shechem, Israel’s representatives made a covenant ceremony and even set up a stone as a memorial (Joshua 24:24–27).
2) Then why did the next generation live in such suffering? First, the fault of the parents’ generation was great.
① Unlike Caleb and Othniel mentioned last week, they did not go forward to conquer the remaining land. It was not because they lacked strength. From the beginning, God fought for them and promised that one would chase a thousand (Joshua 23:10). But they did not hold onto that covenant. How do we know? They did nothing. They did not even think of fighting.
② Another reason was that they failed to pass down the covenant. If I myself do not clearly hold the covenant, what can I pass on? Relaying is not just through words. it is influence through life. This covenant must be instilled in childhood. That is when imprinting is completed. By the teenage years, it takes root and becomes one’s nature through their problems and conflicts. At that stage, parents must pray silently behind the scenes, breaking the forces of darkness and fighting together for them.
③ What is the covenant we must truly hold, enjoy, and pass on? For Israel, the land of Canaan represented the covenant of Christ who would come. It meant to hold onto only Christ. He broke all the sins, curses, fate, and the authority of hell in our lives and lineage and is with us with eternal life. To conquer that land meant to fight and defeat the corrupted forces already occupying it. Spiritually, they were the powers of evil and darkness, yet in the world they appeared splendid. The fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was like that (Genesis 3:6). At times the world may seem enviable. Do not be deceived. Fight and restore the blessings that were stolen.
- Though they failed and lived oppressed, when they cried out, God sent judges.
1) When Israel recognized their problem and cried out to God, He sent judges (v.18). What does “cry out” mean? It means to pray with
groaning and pleading from the depths of our problems and suffering. Living in a world filled with darkness, with many hidden wounds inside us, we may face hardship and failure. At that time, we must come before God and cry out (Jeremiah 33:3). The Holy Spirit also groans and intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
2) We must train ourselves to establish a routine of prayer. Jesus became our model.
① He prayed early in the morning (Mark 1:35). He confirmed answers during the day (John 11:41), and prayed at night over important matters (Luke 6:12).
② The forces of darkness display their power and schemes to destroy me, my family, the next generation, and the church that saves the world.
③ Even if I alone build a bartizan of prayer and stand as a prayer watchman, God works upon it (Isaiah 62:6–7). Then God becomes my bartizan, leads my life’s journey according to His promise, and guides me precisely according to the timetable to save the world.
3) When they cried out, what did God do through the judges?
① He delivered them from problems and suffering (Psalm 50:15). It says God relented (v.18).
② Their enemies were subdued again (Deuteronomy 33:29). God allowed them to enjoy spiritual victory. He enabled them to fight and overcome the forces of sin, darkness, and curse, and to become true spiritual summits.
③ Everything became testimony and glory to God (Psalm 50:15). God personally helped them and, when necessary, attached people to help them.
- The blessing fulfilled then is the kingdom of God. The judges ruling the people was a model of God’s Kingdom. It signifies the restoration of Christ’s kingship. We must hold firmly to the three aspects of Christ’s kingship.
1) He is the King who destroyed the authority of Satan, our enemy. This was the first gospel given to us (Genesis 3:15). He gave us authority to trample the devil (Luke 10:19) and promised eternal victory through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:58). Now we live with Him, destroying the works of the devil and healing the world (Mark 16:17–18).
2) He is the King who reigns within us(Luke 1:33). That blessing is the Kingdom of God we enjoy on this earth (Luke 17:21; Matthew 12:28). Though problems and crises continue in the world, when He reigns over us, we can transcend all things. In every problem, we realize God’s will and receive the peace and joy He gives (Romans 14:17).
3) He is the King who will make all things new and reign forever(Revelation 22:5). It is written that we who are with Christ will also reign with Him forever
Conclusion – May we be believers who hold onto the only Christ, who is our spiritual Judge and Deliverer, enjoy His blessings, and pass them on to others.
3.1.26 The Reason God Raised Up Judges and the Blessings
3-1-26 Pulpit Meditation and Forum Questions Meditacion del Pulpito_3_1_2026