This is a book about a book: it is an in-depth yet reader friendly analysis of the Book of Judges, one of the most dramatic books of the Bible. Against the commonly-held view that this remarkable work is no more than a collection of hero tales stemming from Israel’s earliest days in its land—its “Heroic Age,” so to speak—this study makes the case that the Book of Judges is a unified composition with a single focused message: that it is the values held by a people and not its politics that determine its fate. Further, Judges contends that there is a direct connection between the kind of values people internalize and the level of violence that racks their society, both inflicted from without and generated from within. And not least, that the presence of violence is a symptom that a society has abandoned the moral values of monotheism for the Machiavellian politics of a pagan worldview that worships power as the ultimate reality. The larger-than-life heroes and heroines—Ehud and Jael, Deborah and Gideon, Jephthah and Samson—who people the pages of Judges serve by their example to illustrate the way this thesis works out in the world.

The Book of Judges provides information about judges who corrected the behavior of the descendants of Israel while ruling over them as their leaders.It includes details about battles of victory and defeat, angels, Deborah and Barak, Gideon and the fleece, Jephthah and his daughter, Samson and Delilah, the consequences of idolatry, and restoration. This book includes verses translated from the Greek old covenant writing, sometimes referred to as the Septuagint. Additionally, some comparisons to the Hebrew text are provided.

The Old Testament books of Judges and Ruth record some of the most powerful stories in all of Scripture. Set in a time when everyone “did what was right in his own eyes,” these books highlight God’s faithfulness in the midst of Israel's continual disobedience. Exploring the stories of figures such as Gideon, Samson, and Naomi and Ruth, this accessible commentary emphasizes the countless ways God protected and preserved his people in the Bible. Experienced preacher Barry Webb explores important connections between Judges and Ruth, pointing out God’s promises to his people and practical applications for daily life. Complete with powerful illustrations and engaging anecdotes, this commentary is a helpful resource for all who study, preach, and teach God’s Word. Part of the Preaching the Word series.

This book provides an extensive literary analysis of the Gideon, Abimelech and Jephthah narratives in Judges 6-12, and discloses the main intention of these stories. The book consists of three chapters, each of which analyses the respective biblical narratives. These narratives show the two parameters by which the Israelite leaders are examined, namely their loyalty to God and their altruistic character: A leader who prefers his own interest is doomed to his own demise and brings devastation upon his people. Judges does not establish a preferred governmental model, instead it considers the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of regimes. In the epilogue it is suggested that these narratives are conveniently placed in the pre-monarchic period when the question of the regime becomes part of the political debate. The book of Judges offers criteria for the choice of the right leader.

JUDGES: Book of Heroes traces the tragic story of the people of God from the glory days of Joshua to the gloomy days of Samson; from courage to compromise; from conquest to capitulation. But despite the subject matter, this book is not a gloomy book! The author shows that for all their failings, the judges were men and women of rare faith, men and women who stood for God in troubled times. And he encourages us, too, to live for God where He has placed us; to serve Him faithfully in the work to which He has called us. "We may not have the spiritual gifts of a Samson or a Deborah. We may not have the courage of an Othniel or a Jephthah. Perhaps we're just ordinary, like Gideon, or maybe we feel like one of the minor judges, like Abdon or Ibzan or Tola, whose names nobody can remember. Nevertheless, God delights to use ordinary people, and He delights even more to use really useless people! God will use those who have faith in Him, those whose hearts are loyal to Him. The judges of Israel, imperfect as they were, stand out for God like shining beacons in a dark night, because at the end of the day, they trusted God, and were available to Him."

THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features include:* commentary based on THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION;* the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary;* sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages;* interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole;* readable and applicable exposition.

What could be better than a great hero story? TWO great hero stories! And there's no better place to find them than the Bible. Each Little Bible Heroes(TM) Flip-Over Book offers two stories of bravery, faithfulness, and kindness--straight from the Bible and perfect for little hero-loving hearts! In this book, read about Samson. Then flip the book over to learn the story of Gideon. Collect the entire Little Bible Heroes(TM) series: Creation/Noah Flip-Over Book Miriam/Daniel Flip-Over Book Joshua/Rahab Flip-Over Book Samuel/The Little Maid Flip-Over Book David/Esther Flip-Over Book Joseph/The Good Samaritan Flip-Over Book Christmas/Easter Flip-Over Book Jesus' Miracles/Martha Flip-Over Book Elijah/John the Baptist Flip-Over Book Heroes of Babylon/Ruth Flip-Over Book The Little Giver/Zacchaeus Flip-Over Book Peter/Paul Flip-Over Book Deborah/Abigail Flip-Over Book Solomon/Jonah Flip-Over Book Samson/Gideon Flip-Over Book Moses/John Flip-Over Book

Sharing his love and profound understanding of the Old Testament, Baylis takes us on a walk through these important books, pointing out perspectives and insights along the way that leave us with a new, personal understanding of the Old Testament, and, more importantly, of God. Now revised and updated to include all the book of the Old Testament. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.