At our home church, they have someone stand up after the sermon and transition from the sermon to the closing song. A week ago, I had the opportunity to do so. Below is the transition that I wrote including an original poem.

Sometimes when you pick up your Bible and read a passage like today’s, it can be hard to form good connections. Places and names such as Pergamum, Antipas, Balaam, and Nicolatians don’t really strike a chord in our hearts or mind with meaning or impact. Yet strong words such as “repent” and “war against” ring loudly on our ears. To hear such a charge echoes of a sternness and a critique that makes us uncomfortable. We like the idea of being liked and being loved by others and especially by God. None of us like being judged usually fairly or unfairly. I myself have stood condemned by people before. Both justly before a judge when dealing with a ticket from an Ohio State Trooper and in other situations far more complicated. But in every case, it wasn’t enjoyable. Our pride fights against judgment of any kind no matter how true.

Today’s closing song calls to remembrance the very truth that can turn such moments into relief and welcome. The only just judge is Jesus. But He also stands as a willing replacement for us. Yet His sacrifice removes all of our claim to our pride. He stands as both our judge and our savior. Any claim or control we wish to keep will only condemn us. Yet offered to us is overwhelming grace. Only the terrible cross with its brutal force balances the justice and love. A loving hug would not take care of our rebellion. The whip alone would not offer love. The perfect savior willingly offered in brutal death overwhelms with loving grace.

The sin and guilt and shame we bring to cross is overpowered by the humble sacrifice. Only there can we die to our self and find freedom in living for Him who gave all for us. We no longer live in fear or dread. We are no longer tied to our old self. We are given a new name written on a white stone. Pure and solid. New and eternal. Given by God. Earned by Jesus. Secured by the Spirit. Offered at the cross. Confirmed at the tomb. Exalted at the end. And powerful for today.

 

My pride it seeks to stand apart

To live and die on its own dark heart

Its only claim is self and pride

But offers only a life that lied

Standing near against the shame

A wooden cross of brutal fame

Bears the pride we carry close

Through blood that runs from head to toes

Our Savior who should judge in dread

Instead offers his own split head

Now His love covers and frees

So now our lives can be lived as he sees

We are no longer who we are

We shine instead by his own star

His light it shines for us above

His sacrifice gives us his love

Introduction

As I began my time as a parent, I realized the allure of the exceptional. Previously, I had always sat in wonder as I watched parents seeks to find or elevate some attribute of their child. They seemed to desire their child to give meaning to their life by achieving in some way. But now that I was walking the path of parenthood, I recognized the same desire. Was my child bigger, faster, smarter? The percentiles and measurements provided an opportunity for pride or remorse. Fortunately, I have come to accept that my child will most likely be average much as I am and was. I will encourage effort and comfort loss but I will seek daily to find my satisfaction in something greater than my child's achievements.
But this desire for the exceptional has I feel tinted the window through which we view the stories of the Bible. Certain characters have become larger than life and define whole genres of stories. David and Goliath, the Prodigal Son, Daniel and the Lions, Noah and the Ark: each of these stories has been told and celebrated to the point where they become commonplace and cultural. Yet even in a book as historically popular as the Bible, certain characters have been relegated to the background. This, I believe, is a great injustice. There are so few stories in the Bible compared to what could have been included that every character was chosen and included for a reason. By sticking to the popular stories and characters of the Bible, we miss great depth of perspective on the full complement of people that were included.
It is my desire to change that failure. I want to take some time and walk with you through some of lesser known characters of the Bible. Their forgotten stories provide vital understanding of the range of human experience. Maybe you have found the Bible to be a stale book in the past. This could be in part because you were overlooking a story that would resonate with your heart. While not secret, the lives and stories of these people will open new doors of knowledge. Join me on a tour of these people. Let their failures or successes be a testament that while we may not be long remembered for our work in the world our efforts are noticed by the only one who truly can provide a lasting reward.

Mornings

The dawn breaks the stagnant darkness and stirs to life my slumber. Feet escape their prone position as a deer entering a forest clearing. I tread lightly across the hall, avoiding the landmines of loose screws. My destination in sight, I move into place to peer over the edge of the subject's sleeping quarters. She moves and snorts and steals my heart. The day is young and still so quiet but happiness has just begun.

The Lure of the Exceptional

Recently, my life course was altered by the arrival of my first child. My daily learning curve has increased dramatically while stress and worry equally increase. Indeed, I have begun to recognize a temptation of my heart that lurks nearby in most every area of my life. That deceptive enemy is my own desire to be exceptional. In the past, the outflow was most frequently my own performance and achievements. I could be tempted to strive each day for my own success to be noted and admired in some way. The arrival of a child has complicated that desire. I found out that my child's progress both physically and mentally is measured, calculated and charted on a regular basis. Even the measurement standard (the canon as it were) is based upon averages and comparison to other people. Now I can be drawn into a regular consideration of my daughter as an extension of my own achievements in contrast to other people's children. No doubt this temptation will linger into school and athletic performances down the road. Why is it so easy to measure so much of life by the off kilter perspective of the rest of the world? Why can't I daily align my every action against how it pleases a singular God? That measurement would be so much easier. The problem is the gratification delay. The feeling I get by besting some other person or group of people is an immediate sense of worth. Pleasing God is not as immediately satisfying to my fickle flesh. This is why the Bible so frequently encourages walking in the spirit and not the flesh. Such will be the daily challenge till I die. I thank my daughter for coming to help illuminate the height of the struggle.

Family

What does the idea of family communicate to you? Is there some realization of it that is normal to you? This question has grown in my own mind and such thought parrallels the general struggle of culture in general. Many people invest deep emotions into various definitions of family and television has made millions from shows that seek to reframe the family concept. But let me challenge your personal thoughts with a basic idea. Does how we meet people set the stage for unconsciously judging their life or family?

Let me explain. We usually operate our life and interactions based upon our own normal. Words and phrases demonstrate our presuppositions. One example is the phrase "starting a family." This phrase is most often used when a young couple becomes pregnant. Does that mean that their family was incomplete until that point? Of course not. However, our terminology suggests that concept. But there is even a more basic step we can take to help us open our hearts to more people

I have begun to travel quite a bit and meet many new people on a regular basis. I have come to expect that one of the first questions I will be asked in a church setting is: "Do you have kids?" Most people mean well but fail to grasp the impact of their question. I struggled with that question often and became frustrated with the repetitive nature of the question. But then I came to realize that I do the same thing myself. I ask questions like, "What do you do for a living?" or "Where do you live?" Both questions assume details about people that I cannot assume. During one conversation with a young man, I realized that my question about a job was a source of frustration to himself. Our normal greeting questions in life tend to be slanted toward assumptions. A book my wife and I are reading together offered the following question as an alternative. "Tell me about yourself." Simple. Unassuming. The idea allows a person to share what they are comfortable sharing and opens safe pathways for conversation. I myself am going to attempt this more in the future.

The ABCs of Good Work

As I move out of a supervisory position at my current job, I decided to leave behind a small sampling of my ideas. I decided to write a short document that encourages the sorts of behaviors that contribute to success in the work world. Each day I post another letter of the alphabet (yes in order) with the accompanying explanation of the idea. My goal throughout my time as a supervisor was to leave things better than when I found them. This list addressing attitudes is my final attempt. I am only here including the short titles. If you wish for more explanation, you will have to ask me in some format. You are welcome.

• Accept your roles and responsibilities
• Be on time
• Consider the consequences
• Don't run from your mistakes
• Encourage and example positive action
• Face challenges confidently
• Grow attentive to the gaps
• Help others
• Instigate change
• Just do it (of "just get it done" if trademark issues come up)
• Know and knead your weaknesses
• Laugh and create laughter
• Maintain home and work boundaries
• Never pass blame
• Offer original solutions
• Pay attention to other's work
• Question most everything
• Read your work and about your work
• Stop all negative communication
• Talk less than you work (unless your work is talk)
• Unending effort
• View the big picture
• Write what you do
• Xenolithic resolve
• Yearn to learn
• Zeitgeist recognition

Hunger

How hungry are you right now?

Such a question causes many responses. Some people are hungry when they read that question and can answer it easily. Others may not be hungry and so they merely think of whatever outstanding food they have just eaten. In either case, the question of hunger is similar to that of pain. There is a first level question; "Are you in pain?" That can easily be either yes or no. But if someone is in pain or is hungry, there can then be the follow up question of the extent of hunger or pain.

Hunger, like pain, is a pervasive symptom. If a person is truly hungry, it can occupy the mind all the time. However, constant satisfaction and comfort drives the thought of hunger far away. Most people don't allow hunger to occupy their minds for long as they meet their need and forget. This phenomenon is that to which God refers in Deuteronomy chapter eight. (Deuteronomy 8:10-12 specifically)

When hunger was no longer prevalent, God's constant provision was no longer going to be noticeable. This idea of hunger also pervades the Bible in the discipline of fasting. Many Biblical characters fasted for the sake of a focus on prayer and trust upon God. By allowing such a base desire as hunger in order to focus on prayer, people demonstrated a conscious dependence on God. I will not here elaborate any lengthy discourse on fasting. But what I do is challenge you to consider hunger differently. Rather than considering it as a sign to satiate yourself, think rather how you can focus on God and recognize your own constant dependence.

Favorite Books

During the course of my studies over the past three years, my reading has been limited to classwork. I have had little to no opportunity to read those books which I desired. However, I was able to read a number of books which I enjoyed. Here are the favorite books that I read during my studies.

1. Grasping God's Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays
2. Genesis in Space and Time by Francis Schaeffer
3. The Art of Personal Evangelism by Will McRaney
4. I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist by Norman Geisler
5. Theology in the context of World Christianity by Timothy C. Tennent
6. The Great Commission edited by Martin I. Klauber and Scott M. Manetsch
7. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement edited by Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne
8. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation by William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg and Robert L Hubbard, Jr.
9. The Reformers and Their Stepchildren by Leonard Verduin

A Beam of Light

As I open the door, a thin beam of light races into the dark cold morning air. It cuts through the darkness with relentless precision and lingers confidently in the chill world. That beams marks a special reality which is taken for granted every single day. Only light creates beams of intense manifestations of itself. Darkness is limited to creeping along in the shadows. Darkness cannot cut through light like a finely honed sword. The reason is that light exists. Light is an emanating reality comprised of actual matter. Darkness on the other hand exists only due to the existence of light. Light requires an understanding of darkness but darkness does not exist on its own. Darkness is nothing and undefined. Darkness flees before light because it is of a different reality. This truth opens some amazing parallels and lessons which I will not further pursue here. But I challenge you to recognize the unique difference between darkness and light.

3 Things Naturalism Can't Provide

Link to article about naturalism.

Sunday School Stories

I realized recently as I was reading the Bible that there is a problem as we grow older. For those who grew up in church, there are distinct memories of many popular Bible stories. We remember Daniel and the lion's den. We can tell you about David and Goliath. We can give you details about many conversations and miracles of Jesus. All of this is exciting and good to both learn and remember throughout our lives. However, there is an important step I feel we tend to miss. We never return to these stories seriously as adults and ask the next level of questions. We may know the story and lessons from the story. Those are excellent and should be recounted. However, we need to further ask why the story was there in the first place. We need to explore why certain stories are next to each other. We need to mine the depths of the relationships and reasons behind the stories chosen. It is imperative that we don't neglect those stories we think we know so well merely because we are not sure what questions we should be asking.

Genre Balance

Let me begin with an example:

Exhibit A:

"Where am I?" Metaphysics says

No question can be asked unless

It has an answer, so I can

Assume this maze has got a plan.

If theologians are correct,

A Plan implies an Architect:

A God-built maze would be, I'm sure,

The Universe in minature.

Are data from the world of Sense,

In that case, valid evidence?

What in the universe I know

Can give directions how to go?

All Mathematics would suggest

A steady straight line as the best,

But left and right alternately

Is consonant with History.

Exhibit B:
For, in the first place, no man can survey himself without forthwith turning his thoughts towards the God in whom he lives and moves; because it is perfectly obvious, that the endowments which we possess cannot possibly be from ourselves; nay, that our very being is nothing else than subsistence in God alone.

I would hazard a guess that as you read each of those exhibits, you did so with different perspective. You automatically saw and recognized that they demonstrated different styles of writing; or genre. You recognize the genres easily and almost unconsciously adapt how you read and understand each genre. However, we as Christians leave this very basic act of reading behind as we approach the pages of Scripture. God has encased His word in a book with many genres of writing. This provides depth and character to the truths contained and makes clear that God is not easily defined. The problem is that we approach the Bible in only one way. Generally we are most familar with the genre of letter in the Bible. Familiarity drives our comfort. Most of us would not feel comfortable reading a modern legal document yet at times it would be vital. The Bible includes genres of many kind; historical, narrative, epic, apocalyptic, letter, poetry, prose, prophetic, biographical and the list continues. Our mistake is usually one of two. We avoid the genres which we can recognize but don't understand or we interpret a genre incorrectly because we don't recognize it. We must all of us become better literary scholars so that our reading of Scripture is more beneficial. I will give two basic questions to ask as you read Scripture.

1.   What style of writing (genre) is this passage?
2.   What about this style of writing is unique and thus impacts how I understand?

I am willing to help you answer these questions up front so that your future readings are more enlightening. Let's not neglect God's word or mishandle it just because God is more creative than we are.

Two Worlds

I was recently reading a book by A.W. Tozer. He expresses in there that every human lives between two worlds. We live in the material natural world and in the spiritual world. While the part of me which enjoys science fiction finds this mental picture enjoyable, the truths are indeed powerful. He uses the illustration of a scaffolding surrounding a cathedral under construction. The scaffolding is our body and the cathedral is our soul. The scaffolding doesn't last long and will be destroyed but the cathedral endures. They physical body is only a temporary structure for developing our understanding and life in the spiritual realm. The problem is that we so often pursue the material world and ignore the reality of a part of us which is eternal and can have lasting communion with God. We must consider the spiritual world more and recognize that it is through that world we must come to God. (God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.)

The Moral Dilemma of Evolution

I recently read an interesting article (blog post) about the difference between the gradistic classification of evolution and the cladistic classification form. I found the debate oddly interesting because of the impetus behind it as such. The struggle for evolutionists regarding animals is the continued existence of supposedly primitive forms of now current species. This of course seems to suggest that while natural selection gave us newer forms, the previous forms were still quite fine to survive just as they were. However, even deeper of a problem is that struggle with race equality that evolution precipitates. It was this issue which gave rise to Hitler and the founder of Planned Parenthood. Of course, thinking evolutionists need to find some way to discourage their view from promoting racism or addressing the lack of intermediary forms coupled with the persistence of primitive forms.
Therefore, they have adjusted their classification method to state that all current forms have evolved equally. Therefore, the most basic fungus or insect is equally evolved as humans and thus every culture is equally evolved but different. While the presentation does not satisfy the missing links, the cause and effect issues, the time concerns, or all the numerous intellectual issues with evolution, it is highly encouraging that those who profess evolution are seeking for moral answers to the broken fabric of their system.

Alphabet Coup

As I "write" these letters, I am fully aware that their rather ideological existence remains largely to serve my need to communicate. It would be quite a surprise if these letters suddenly extricated themselves from the screen and decided on a new order that better suited their interests. Instead, I move them around and place them in an order which I either enjoy or find useful toward some end. For example, with just a few letters, I feel that I have created a witty title which precipitates the concept of this post. I put the letters in a specific order and chose specific letters for that purpose. Thankfully, they remain inanimate and so the idea which I had is communicated to the reader (or if I am lucky; readers).

It is thus amazing that the Bible states that God is the author and perfecter of our faith. The idea of author resonates with my passions and thought process and I immediately think of the above scenario. But is not my life and faith rather similar to that of the letters on this page. In the grand scheme, my existence serves little purpose if not wielded by the master wordsmith. I know the Bible speaks about us as clay, however, if anyone has seen the result of my physical artistry, they would know that the word idea is far more powerful. As life moves sometimes overwhelmingly forward, I cling to the faith and relationship in Christ as my sole source of meaning. I don't see the words which he is writing, but I must recognize my place as a letter (preferably a capital "R") and look forward to reading the story later.

A Deviation From The Norm

I hesitate to write this but felt compelled to state just a very small part of my opinion. I normally avoid political diatribe. However, the recent discussion on gun rights has reminded me of how easily people are misled. Here is the wording of the 2nd Amendment. "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." It is a simple and yet dynamic phrase that is causing much consternation in our nation today. Here is my comments to both sides.

To the gun control people: It is first of all frustrating that you lie to the American people about the use of guns in crimes. The Sandy Hook shooting did not use an "assault rifle." Your use of terms are misleading and improper. If you want to have a discussion, use proper terminology and address the facts. Secondly, remember that this line of text stands for a purpose much greater than hunting and self defense. This country was established upon the will of a people using firearms to compete against the government troops on the field of battle. It was therefore necessary to establish forever that the American public would be able to maintain a force able to combat the governments army. This right was lost long ago as the weapons which the military possesses are far more advanced than anything available to the public. The debate over whether someone can have more bullets is rather menial and thus silly. Let's have a discussion about violence.

To the gun rights people: See my previous comment that your 2nd Amendment rights were discarded long ago. Therefore, save your vitriol to some degree. But again I want to point out that the amendment, while mentioning arms is first and foremost about a well organized militia. What I see in your arguments is more concerned with yourself. First make yourself a well organized militia and then ask for your guns. If you are really concerned with what the amendment is about, you would realize that it is directed to ensure people remember that in unity of mind and discipline of life and body was the revolutionary war won. Quibbling selfishness only undermines your argument. And also, recognize that there is a problem with violence and consider how you can help that problem rather than just your own.

Korean Reminder

As I track the news regarding the current animosity in Korea, I have been reminded of a few things. I first remember my grandfather who served in the military during the Korean Conflict. While we as Americans have forgotten much of the details of that time in history, it remains a constant personal reminder of a man I never knew. However, there is a more important lesson I have learned.

America invested about three years and over thirty thousand lives in this fight. However, much of that has been forgotten already by the general public. About sixty years have passed and the conflict rages in increasing intensity today with the renewed possibility of hostilities. What then was the impact of that sacrifice so many years ago? For what did those men give their lives?

I do not question the conflict nor its impact politically. That is not my area of expertise nor intent. What I do realize is that our lives are precious and dedicated to something each and every day. The question we must face each day is the worth of our goals and endeavors. Will the energy we expend each day matter for something important? We exhaust ourselves on all sorts of things. But is our effort going to a cause which will last the test of time and stand worthwhile against the backdrop of eternal history?

Only that which directs glory to God will stand against the abrasive and destructive power of time and perpetuity. As the old hymn aptly said, "Only one life twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." Any war of human creation whether actual war or our own battles for personal achievement will ultimately fall as worthless endeavors.

We See What We Want

Have you ever purchased a car or looked at a car you truly desire. After the obtaining or realization, you then make a new discovery. As you drive around town, you begin to see that particular car more frequently. Once we become aware of a specific car and see it every day or think about it, we more easily spot it through the thousands of cars we pass each day. This phenomenon is due to the fact that our brains filter out true perception of things we don't actually want to see or pay attention to.

This becomes true in many aspects of life and I have been recently challenged to explore the ramifications. If I more actively realize that God is at work in my life providing opportunities for the gospel and thankfulness will I not see the blessings more readily. If my mind is more actively thinking on things which are eternal or from God, will I not more consistently see God at work through the many details of life. If my brain can see every Chevy Camaro that passes me by, can I not see God at work in the details of my life?

A Reminder of Reasonableness

This past weekend, I happened to catch a documentary on PBS concerning the popularity of Shakespeare's play Hamlet. The main questions the producers asked were "Why is Hamlet popular?" and "Is Hamlet still relevant?" However, since I am odd, I picked up on a completely unrelated point which quite fascinated me.

Hamlet is of course one of the most quoted plays although many people may not realize what they are quoting. "To be or not to be" remains a famous quote and the full line is well known for what is essentially English literature. But the question is, was that actually what Shakespeare wrote? In the documentary, they mentioned that there are only a few copies of the text of Hamlet which are relatively close to the time of its writing around 1600. Yet each of these copies present significantly different texts including that famous line. Even Wikipedia mentions this conundrum; "Three different early versions of the play are extant, the First Quarto (Q1, 1603), the Second Quarto (Q2, 1604), and the First Folio (F1, 1623). Each version includes lines, and even entire scenes, missing from the others."

This sort of discontinuity becomes very interesting when held up next to the text of Scripture. While Hamlet, written about 1600, has two or three copies which are vastly different, the New Testament was written about 100 and has thousands of old copies and pieces. If you examine the age and quantity of the copies of the Bible, you will realize that the textual evidence of a consistent record of the Bible is overwhelming. Lee Strobel spends a whole chapter in his work The Case For Christ dedicated to explaining how we know the record of Scripture we have today is amazingly close to what was actually recorded.

This fact is no mere trivia tidbit. The Bible claims to be written by eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ. It is important that we as Christians are able to effectively argue that the Bible represents a reliable witness of eyewitness testimony. From that point forward, many other details can be argued with greater surety.

The more I read and study, the more I realize that our faith, while still faith, can be measured and tested by the facts. The Christian faith is intellectually reasonable and consistent. While I have never argued these points in order to win someone over, they are beneficial points to learn for personal growth. Every Christian should ask the questions and find the answers for themselves. Then you will be ready to answer the questions when someone else asks you.

Judges Exegetical Paper Part 1

The first few pages of my paper on Judges 11:29-40.

As the pages of Biblical history turned from the great conquests of Joshua, a period of confusion and chaos fill the void of leadership. This period forms the content of the book of Judges. Thus the book of Judges records a historical record of sorts of the people of Israel during this stage in their development as a nation and a culture.

However, it is not so simple to evaluate the setting of Judges by studying the clear historical landmarks of the contents of the book directly. Instead, the reader must recognize that two cultural settings are in view and impact the tone and meaning of the book as a whole. The first and most obvious culture under view is that of the time period of the events described in the book directly.

Following the death of Moses, Joshua took the leadership reigns for the nation of Israel and led the people into the land that was promised. The long travel was complete but the battle for the land was just beginning. The book of Joshua records a series of battles and settlements as the people made the land their own.

Yet as battles were won and the land is apportioned to tribes, the people spread out and placed roots in the conquered cities and towns. Joshua served for many years as a central and strong leader with a network of helpers. Following the death of Joshua, no clear leader is established for the people. Joshua himself charges the people en masse to follow and serve God.

While Joshua makes clear in his closing charge that the people will not be prone to obey the law he describes, he does nothing to prepare them for the troubles or difficulties which lie ahead. Indeed, the closing words of the book of Joshua set the ominous tone for the setting of Judges. “So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.”

This “every man” motif not only sets the appropriate stage of Judges but serves as a grammatical bookmark throughout the book. With no clear leader, the nation become subject to the waves of power and national struggle. That lack of leadership was not confined only the nation itself but was mirrored by the region as a whole. Daniel Block mentions the lack of information regarding this time period found in the pages of Scripture. In addition as well, he adds that “exrabiblical sources for the period of the judges are scarce.” Since history in the ancient world was normally driven by singular leaders and kings, such a lack of documentation suggest a period both of frequent war and destruction but the marked absence of either a dominating nation or king.

This absence of leadership or power affected the region with numerous national strife events and oppression. The numerous socio-political groups or nations mentioned in the book of Judges reflect constant fighting and war. In addition, the nation of Israel found such strife internally as well including civil war of sorts. Herbert Wolf lists these conflicts in his description. “Ephraim was ravaged by Manasseh (ch. 12), and Benjamin was almost annihilated by the other tribes (chs. 20-21).”

In terms of religious views of the times, Judges itself reflects a people who were misled. The repeated habit of turning to God displays the truth that the people in general had a technical knowledge of the worship of the God. Block agrees by stating “although little is known about the practice of official national religion at this time, these data demonstrate that throughout the period of settlement the Israelite tribes retained a consciousness of their status as the people of Yahweh.”

What the people knew to be true at the time was however not often relevant. Their practice, rather than knowledge, was that of pursuing what is termed in Judges as “Baals and the Asherahs.” Baal specifically was the most well known god of the time and his connection to winter rain became symbolic of fertility. He is often found in connection with two other goddesses. Asherah who was considered to be the mother of Baal was one while Ashtoreth was the god of war and sex. Any extensive study into the premonarchial period of Israelite history should involve an extensive study of these gods and what they represent and how their worship impacted the cultures of the world.

In short however, the worship of these idols demonstrate a clear cultural emphasis. Worship of Baal and Asherah/Ashtoreth were a vital aspect of agricultural people groups at that time period of history. The desire for fertile crops, the source of wealth and prosperity, became the main religious focus. As the nation of Israel moved from a nomadic livestock driven people to a stable agricultural people, the absorption of the religious connections to that lifestyle became natural. It is necessary to see the religious struggles of Israel not merely as a worship failure, but a lifestyle and cultural development in conflict with God’s plan. Thus the leadership vacuum, civil war and religious apostasy set the key cultural stages upon which the drama of Judges would be played.

In addition as well, the second culture to be evaluated is of course that of the time period during which the book was written. This culture is less important in understanding the stories but far more important to understand the intended meaning and inclusion of the stories. It is only from this view of the writing world that one can grasp the functional importance and appreciation for the message of the book of Judges.

The general consensus regarding the writing of the book of Judges is during the timeframe of Israel when the nation was unified under one king. The impetus for this dating centers on both the tone of the book and the frequent references to the time being without a king. Such a comment would suggest that the original reader would understand the contrast. More specific dating is difficult although some commentators suggest an early Davidic reign due to the mention of Jerusalem belonging to the Jebusites in 1:21.

The significance of this date would be greatly meaningful to the specific occasion of this book. Prior to the conquest of Jerusalem, David was not fully accepted as king over all of Israel. After the death of Saul, David was made king of Judah publically. However, 2 Samuel 3 records an ongoing war between the family of Saul and David. David ruled at this time from the city of Hebron. It is not until after the conquest of Jerusalem that one can see a clear kingdom for David emerging. “At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.” Thus the key cultural aspect of the timeframe of the writing of Judges is the gradual movement toward a secure king and nation. 

While God has recognized David as king, the people of Israel as a whole have completely accepted neither that kingship nor God’s involvement in the affairs of Israel. With this in mind, one can clearly see the overarching emphasis of the book of Judges. It becomes of sorts a political campaign for the people to support David and pursue God. The anonymous author makes clear that the alternative to a God fearing leader is chaos and violence. Instead, by accepting and following God and his appointed servant, the people of Israel can expect blessing and security. It is upon these cultural settings that one must approach and understand the book of Judges.