I struggle with this text on numerous accounts. Firstly, I do not know how I would utilize this book in a pastoral setting other than presenting it as a message that states, “do what God says, or else!” The fear of the Lord is a good thing, but this book seems to inspire or draw out nothing but fear from people. It is all senseless violence and needless anguish because the people of Israel continue time and again to stray from God. I do not believe that most congregations would like to hear a sermon series based on this book, but I also know that it is not good to completely exclude it because it, too, is the inspired Word of God and that it was included in the canon for a reason. There is also a nagging thought in my brain that tries to connect the dots between the time of the judges and today’s era. Surely, we as a people, or even just we as Christians, are royally screwing up just as much as the Israelites were in that time. This makes me wonder how much God may be weeping because of the evil that his children do. We are covered by His grace – I have not forgotten this. I just cannot help but think that we can and should be doing better. I am not talking about works righteousness, but I am merely saying that we, myself included, can find ways to appropriately respond to His love and grace with gratitude and further advance His
I struggle with this text on numerous accounts. Firstly, I do not know how I would utilize this book in a pastoral setting other than presenting it as a message that states, “do what God says, or else!” The fear of the Lord is a good thing, but this book seems to inspire or draw out nothing but fear from people. It is all senseless violence and needless anguish because the people of Israel continue time and again to stray from God. I do not believe that most congregations would like to hear a sermon series based on this book, but I also know that it is not good to completely exclude it because it, too, is the inspired Word of God and that it was included in the canon for a reason. There is also a nagging thought in my brain that tries to connect the dots between the time of the judges and today’s era. Surely, we as a people, or even just we as Christians, are royally screwing up just as much as the Israelites were in that time. This makes me wonder how much God may be weeping because of the evil that his children do. We are covered by His grace – I have not forgotten this. I just cannot help but think that we can and should be doing better. I am not talking about works righteousness, but I am merely saying that we, myself included, can find ways to appropriately respond to His love and grace with gratitude and further advance His