Between what events was this period? What were its
traits? What were the conditions favorable to Is'ra-el
during this period? How did their location aid the
Is'ra-el-ites? Wherein were the Is'ra-el-ites one
people? How did their religious institutions keep them
together? What were the unfavorable and dangerous
elements in the condition of Is'ra-el? How were they
in danger from the native races? What was lacking in
the government of Is'ra-el? What two tribes were in
rivalry? What was the effect of this jealousy? What
analogy is found in ancient history? How was the same
principle illustrated in modern times? What evil
tendency was manifested in Is'ra-el through nearly all
its history? What causes are assigned for this
tendency? What was the office of a judge in Is'ra-el?
How were the judges appointed? What was their
authority? How widely did their rule extend?
III. =The Oppressions and Deliverers.= During these centuries the
influences already named brought Is'ra-el many times under the
domination of foreign power. The story was always the same: forsaking
God, following idols, subjection, reformation, victory, and temporary
prosperity. We notice the seven oppressions. Some of these were
undoubtedly contemporaneous.
1. =The Mes-o-po-ta'mi-an Oppression= (Judg. 3. 7-11). Probably this was
over the southern portion, and the invaders came by the east and around
the Dead Sea, as earlier invaders from the same land had come (Gen. 14.
1-7). The deliverer was Oth'ni-el, the first judge, and the only judge
of the tribe of Ju'dah.
2. =The Mo'ab-ite Oppression= (Judg. 3. 12-30). Over the eastern and
central section, including E'phra-im (verse 27); deliverer, E'hud, the
second judge; battle fought at the ford of the river Jor'dan (verse 28).
3. =The Early Phi-lis'tine Oppression= (Judg. 3. 31). Over the
southwest, on the frontier of Ju'dah; deliverer, Sham'gar.
4. =The Ca'naan-ite Oppression= (Judg. 4). Over the northern tribes;
deliverer, Deb'o-rah, the woman judge; battle at Mount Ta'bor.
5. =The Mid'i-an-ite Oppression= (Judg. 6. 1-6). Over the northern
center, especially Ma-nas'seh, east; the most severe of all; deliverer,
Gid'e-on, the greatest of the judges (Judg. 6. 11, 12); battle, on Mount
Gil-bo'a (Judg. 7), followed by other victories (Judg. 8).
6. THE AM'MON-ITE OPPRESSION (Judg. 10. 7-9). Note an alliance between
the Am'o-rites and Phi-lis'tines, which is suggestive; mainly over the
tribes on the east of Jor'dan; deliverer, Jeph'thah[11] (Judg. 11);
victory at A-ro'er (verse 33).
7. THE PHI-LIS'TINE OPPRESSION (Judg. 13). This was the most protracted
of all, for it extended, with intervals of freedom, for a hundred
years; embraced all the land, but was most heavily felt south of Mounts
Car'mel and Gil-bo'a. The liberation was begun by Sam'son (Judg. 13. 5),
but he was led astray by sensual lusts and became a failure. Freedom was
later won by Sam'u-el at the battle of Eb-en-e'zer (1 Sam. 7. 7-14); but
the oppression was renewed in the time of Saul, and became heavier than
ever (1 Sam. 13. 17-20). Finally the yoke was broken by Da'vid, in a
succession of victories, ending with the capture of Gath, the
Phi-lis'tine capital (2 Sam. 5. 17-25; 1 Chron. 18. 1).
Note with each oppression: 1.) The oppressor. 2.) The section oppressed.
3.) The deliverer. 4.) The battlefield.