Page 18 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

judges, like Deborah, impose just brought peace and security to Israelite
penalties on lawbreakers (cf. Deut. society. In their governance, the judges
21:18-23 – on how the laws were appear as defenders of the oppressed and
applied). Furthermore, judges in the champions of justice and peace. They
modern world operate based on set regarded religion as a tool for political
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
laws of the nation (the constitution) or advantage to maximize political power.
an organisation; the judges in the Bible
operate under covenant Laws. Judges in Othniel
the modern world are people of moral The first biblical judge was Othniel,
integrity; likewise judges in the Bible son of Kenaz and Caleb’s young
were people of moral integrity. The brother. He defended Israel from the
office of biblical judges and judges in oppression of Cushan-Rishathaim, king
the modern world is not inheritable, i.e., of Mesopotamia. Under his effective
appointed. governance, Mesopotamia was defeated,
and Israel had peace for 40 years before
Contrast he died. After Othniel’s death, the
While biblical judges were charismatic Israelites sinned again, and God gave
leaders who received direct inspiration them into the hands of plunderers (their
from God for people’s deliverance, enemies) – King Eglon, for eighteen
modern judges are professionals who years (Judg. 3:7-11).
receive office through studying and
training and should be appointed. Othniel teaches us that, in maintaining
good governance, a leader must defend
Biblical judges were religious and the rights of the oppressed. He is also
military leaders; they led the Israelites in supposed to be faithful to both civil and
wars against Israel’s enemies. Modern divine laws. A leader is a cornerstone in
Judges are not primarily religious or maintaining peace in society.
military leaders.
Ehud
Biblical judges were not paid salaries; Another judge who presents to us the
in contrast, modern Judges are paid role of judges in good governance is
salaries. Ehud, a left-handed man. Under his
leadership, Ehud managed to save Israel
Individual judges and governance from the hands of King Elgon, the king
The individual judges dealt with here of Moab. Elgon used Ammonites and
are the major judges. These present to Amalekites to defeat Israel, and there
us how they managed their governance was peace in the land for 80 years
of the people of God and how they (Judg. 3:12-30). With Ehud, we learn

Form Five Student’s Book 9