The Last Days Of The Judges

by P.W. Atkinson, Melbourne, Australia | Category: Lessons From The Last Days | May 1962

"And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years" (Judges 13.1). Such was the sad condition of Israel in the last days of the Judges. It was a time when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21. 25). The children of Israel had lost sight of the will of the LORD and had become a law unto themselves, and what they did was evil in the sight of the LORD. In spite of many vivid experiences of the past, they had never learned the lessons taught their fathers, and the divine requirements were set aside as men formulated their own ideas as to what was right or wrong. Thus the first lesson we can learn from this sad portion of Israel's history is that when men do what is right in their own eyes, they can only do evil in the sight of the LORD. In Christendom today we see the will of the Lord Set aside on every hand, and men are imposing their will and ideas on others, and leading away disciples after themselves. What is the will of the Lord for His children today? Acts 2.41 and 42 gives the divine pattern. "They then that received His word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers." God has given us the divine pattern which we should carry out faithfully, and thus please Him.

In the midst of this departure of Israel, the LORD raised up Samson, and it is said of him "And he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines" (Judges 13.5). It is well known how the LORD used him to harass the Philistines. When the Spirit of the LORD moved him, he used the strength given to combat the enemies of Israel, and was a mighty weapon in the hand of the LORD. The word of God records also his weaknesses, for Samson went after strange women, and finally lost his hair and his strength on the lap of Delilah, to whom he had revealed all his heart.

As we think of him, blinded by the Philistines, serving as a slave, and finally brought forth to make sport for the lords of the Philistines, our hearts are saddened, and we do well to take heed to the message, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10.12). However, Samson's strength returned and he was able to gain the victory over the Philistines although he perished in doing so.

The next judge we read of is Eli who judged Israel for forty year's What is recorded of his history is sad reading. He judged Israel but did not judge his sons who in the office of priest did great moral evil and sinned against the LORD. Eli weakly remonstrated with them but did not give them the judgement they so much deserved, and because of this he honoured them above the LORD (1 Samuel 2.29). This is a solemn lesson for all those who lead the people of God. There must be no respect of persons when carrying out the judgement of the Lord. Eli's sons met their just end at the hands of the ungodly Philistines, and Eli himself died when he heard the news that the Philistines had captured the ark of the LORD (1 Samuel 4.17, 18).

Nevertheless, the LORD would raise up a faithful priest (1 Samuel 2.85). We read of Samuel whom Hannah had loaned to the LORD (1 Samuel 1.28), "And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious (rare) in those days; there was no open vision" (1 Samuel 3.1). How sad! The LORD was silent to His people because of their waywardness and rebellion against His word. This also happened at a later date when Judah was taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, because of their wickedness. Jeremiah, the prophet, laments over Zion, "Yea, her prophets find no vision from the LORD" (Lamentations 2.9). The wilful neglect by the people of the will of God brought about this condition, and in Eli's day God waited until there was raised up a man who would hear and faithfully do His will. The LORD spoke to Samuel, first when he was only a child, and revealed what would happen to Eli. Then later we read the joyful news, "And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh; for the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD" (1 Samuel 3.21).

The record of this great man of God reveals his faithfulness. He spake to Israel and taught the law of the LORD. "And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD" (1 Samuel 3.20).

Like the apostle Paul in a later day, he shrank not to declare unto them the whole counsel of God. When Israel desired a king so that they might be like the other nations, Samuel spoke faithfully and fearlessly for God (1 Samuel 8. 10-18). Also when Saul sinned, Samuel indicts him in no uncertain way (1 Samuel 15.16-28).

Truly a great example for those who would seek to lead the people of God in our day, when failure and departure from truth abound! "I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the quick and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching" (2 Timothy 4.1-2).

P.W. Atkinson, Melbourne, Australia | May 1962
Lessons From The Last Days