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Read: Judges 1-6

The book of Judges takes place after Joshua’s death, during a time when Israel had entered the Promised Land but had not fully driven out the surrounding nations. Israel had no king during this period, and leadership came through judges. Judges were men and women that God chose to deliver His people from oppression. Judges follows a repeating cycle: the Israelites turn away from God, fall into sin, are oppressed by enemies, cry out to the Lord, and God uses a judge to rescue them. Again and again, we see both human failure and God’s faithfulness (Historical overview).

Jumping ahead to the book of Exodus, we know that one of God’s defining qualities is that He is slow to anger. In Exodus, “slow to anger” translates to the idea of having a “long nose.” The Israelites used this imagery because when someone was angry, their nose would turn red; the longer the nose, the longer it took to become red. In other words, God is patient. It takes a lot to make Him angry.

Reading that convicts me, because as a parent, I sometimes struggle to be slow to anger. I know that’s hard to admit, but there are things that really get under my skin or set me off. I am a work in progress every single day, and I truly want to be better for my children. Part of it is lack of sleep, postpartum hormone changes, and my controlling OCD; but even through those things, I still want to grow and be better. I don’t want to be an angry mother or wife. I know I still have work to do, and spending intentional time with God and reading His Word is one of the ways I am inviting Him in to change my heart. He is shaping my heart to help me become more patient and gentler; He is with me in motherhood.

“…and the Lord was with them.” -Judges 1:22

We are reminded of God’s patience throughout the book of Judges. God will eventually give people over to their desires, but the entire time He continues calling them back to Himself. Sometimes that calling comes gently, and sometimes it comes through hardship. Ever heard of “learning the hard way?” The Israelites repeatedly return to sinful patterns and turn away from God, and yet God continues to pursue them with love and grace. He does not give up on His people. He stays with them.

“The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you…’” -Judges 6:16

That promise is seen throughout Judges and throughout Scripture. God is with His people, even when they stumble, even when they forget Him, even when they have to learn the hard way. Even in the midst of disobedience and inconsistency, God remains present. As new generations rise, the Israelites once again find themselves in battles. In Judges 5, after God delivers them through Deborah, we see a response of praise.

“… praise the Lord!” -Judges 5:2, 9

The Song of Deborah is a celebration of God’s victory and faithfulness. One verse in particular stood out to me and I did some additional reading and research.

“So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may all who love you be like the sun
when it rises in its strength.” -Judges 5:31

Those who oppose God ultimately face His justice, while those who love Him are compared to the rising sun, strong, radiant, and full of life. The imagery of the sun symbolizes hope, growth, and divine favor (Judges 5:31 – Meaning, Context, and Spiritual Reflection). It’s a reminder that when we align ourselves with God, our lives are meant to reflect His light and be a light in the darkness.

Discussion Questions

1. How have you experienced God continuing to call you back to Himself, even during seasons of disobedience or distance?
2. What do you think it looks like, practically, to shine God’s light in everyday life?
3. How can you reflect God’s patience and grace in your role as a parent, spouse, friend, coworker, or leader, especially when it feels challenging?

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