Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

Judges 10 Commentary: Jephthah http://www.lovingscripture.com After the time of Abimelek, we have a couple of Judges that come and go without much-reported activities: Tola and Jair. Our attention is drawn to the eighth judge, Jephthah. He came into the picture at a time when Israel was in great distress. And for a change, Israel prayedContinueContinue reading “Judges 10 Commentary”

Judges 9 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com The history of Israel during this time was defined by the two idol temples mentioned in this chapter. Baal-Berith was a temple of crime. The other unnamed temple was a temple of sinful indulgence and revelry, from which Abimelek’s opponent mounted an insurrection. Idol temples have continued to influence world history.ContinueContinue reading “Judges 9 Commentary”

Judges 8 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Now we can approximate the size of the army that had gathered against Israel. How can an army of 120,000 be routed by a mere 300 poorly equipped men? With God nothing is impossible and we are also reminded of the promise that one would put a thousand to flight. ThisContinueContinue reading “Judges 8 Commentary”

Judges 7 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Hidden in the lines of chapter 7 is an important contrast that can help us decipher what the LORD is trying to do. Coming up against Gideon is a league of nations, led by Midian and so numerous that they could not be numbered. So really, the thirty-two thousand that GideonContinueContinue reading “Judges 7 Commentary”

Judges 6 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Chapter 6 finds Israel in trouble again. As everywhere else in this Book, pain and suffering are expected and fully deserved. God’s contract with Abraham hasn’t performed well. We know the culprit. Israel has not kept the faith. It’s a fact that the visiting angel of the LORD underlines. And weContinueContinue reading “Judges 6 Commentary”

Judges 5 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com This chapter is fully devoted to Deborah’s song. It is a song of praise but there is a lot more to look at.“God chose new leaders when war came to the city gates, but not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.” Judges 5 verse 8. VeryContinueContinue reading “Judges 5 Commentary”

Judges 4 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com It speaks of God’s generosity that Israel’s cry for help can be heard. We also know any such relief is short-lived as it functions like a bucket of water. It will not heal the leaky roof. The LORD does however help Israel and the human agent is the courageous leader inContinueContinue reading “Judges 4 Commentary”

Judges 3 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Chapter 3 is fast-paced. We have three Judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. They all intervene at critical moments in the history of the nation. But what has brought Israel here? The chapter is beautifully arranged to highlight the realities on the ground. The LORD providentially subjects Israel to warfare. The thoughtContinueContinue reading “Judges 3 Commentary”

Judges 2 Commentary http://www.lovingscripture.com Why have you done this? The question was directed at Israel but I think the LORD is asking me the same question. Why have you broken faith? What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yieldContinueContinue reading “Judges 2 Commentary”

Judges 1 Commentarywww.lovingscripture.comWhile Joshua is focused on the good news that the LORD had fulfilled all His promises, Judges is focused on man’s failures. The material from chapter 1 gives us an impression that both Joshua and Judges were authored by the same human institution.We get the picture that while large portions of land wereContinueContinue reading “Judges 1 Commentary”