Judges: the Flawed and the Flawless

Book excerpt: The book of Judges is an exciting read. But it is not an easy one. These pages of the Bible feature lying, assassination, murder, massacres and worse. And that's just the judges-the men and women appointed by God to save his people, Israel, from their enemies and from themselves. It is a dark story, full of flawed individuals living in a deeply flawed society. What is it doing in the Bible? It's the gospel! Judges shows us that the Bible is not a series of nice stories-it is a book of unvarnished history. It is about real people. And it is about the real God. Judges shows us a God who is relentlessly loving to unlovely people; who continually rescues people from the consequences of their own flaws and failings; and who points forwards to the flawless Leader and Savior who he will one day send. And it shows us how to live as God's people in a society which offers a dizzying array of alternative "gods" to worship. So today, surrounded by the gods of wealth, celebrity, ideology and achievement, we need this book. These six studies will take you through the twists and turns of Judges, bringing you face to face with famous names such as Deborah, Gideon and Samson-and, still more excitingly, with God himself. Book jacket.