So says the final verse of the book of Judges. The same words appear in 17.6.
One mistake is to think that those words describe the entire history of the Judges, which was more than 300 years. A careful reading of the book indicates a more nuanced history.
Starting well?
The books of Joshua and Judges seem to overlap. Othniel’s capture of the city of Kiriath Sepher, which earned him the right to marry Caleb’s daughter, appears in Josh 15.16-17 as well as in Judg 1.12-13. Judg 2.6 refers to Joshua sending the people home, which occurred in the final chapter of Joshua.
In fact, Judg 2.7 tells us that the people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him.
Second hand knowledge
After that (Judg 2.10) another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord not what He had done for Israel. It might be argued that this is the key verse of the whole book. It marks the start of the spiritual and moral declension of the people of God. As in Heb 2.3, the problem starts not with a people rejecting God, but with a people neglecting God. In a similar way, in Rev 2.4, the Lord criticised the Church at Ephesus because it had lost its first love.
One constant challenge for all who profess to love God is to maintain a healthy and real relationship with Him, not falling into formalism.
Downs & ups
The book of Judges introduces us to twelve Judges (or deliverers). Six are mentioned in passing, while more time is given to the other six (next section). It should also be said that the Judges rule over different tribes of Israel, not over the whole nation. So the book does not provide a ‘linear’ history of Israel at this period.
Further, the book describes six cycles (Judg 2.11-19) of sin, and suffering, and prayer and deliverance. Key to these periods of deliverance was that God raised up judges to save the people. Isaiah tells us ‘The Lord is our Judge’ (Is 33.22). The words judge, deliverer, rescuer, saviour carry a similar meaning. Jesus Christ is truly our judge!
Who were they?
The first three Judges appear in chapters 3 to 5; Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah. Each time, the scripture reads; ‘the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord’ (Judg 3.7, 12; 4.1). And each time the people suffered, for eight years (3.8), for eighteen years (3.14), for twenty years (4.3). Each time, the Lord God raised up deliverers, bringing peace to the land.
The second batch, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson are noted for their courage, standing alone. But they manifest great weaknesses. This is encouraging, as we see that God delights to use the frail.
The lowest point
After the death of Samson (Judg 16), the final chapters tell a sorry story almost devoid of moral compass. The first verses of chapter 17 refer to the theft of money, cursing the thief, moulding of an idol. Then, a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah becomes ‘father and priest’ to Micah’s household, an indication of ‘religion’ reduced to personal choice instead of national or tribal devotion.
The army of Danites arrive to force the Levite to serve them; they defeat the town of Laish, a peaceful and unsuspecting people (Judg 18).
Another roaming Levite from Bethlehem in Judah arrived in Gibeah. His arrival lead to appalling violence and sexual abuse (Judg 19), leading to the death of the priest’s concubine. Eventually (v 29-30), the priest dismembers her, sending her body parts throughout Israel. ‘Think about it! Consider it! Tell us what to do!’
Chapters 20 and 21, closing the book of Judges, tell of the attacks against the tribe of Benjamin; almost wiping out an entire tribe. No wonder the writer concludes; ‘everyone did as he saw fit.’