The Book of Judges portrays the hardships endured by God’s people in the two hundred years, 1220 B.C.-1000 B.C., between the conquest of Canaan under Joshua and the establishment of the kingdom of Israel under Saul. In this in-between period the twelve tribes of Israel had too face two main challenges. The first being how to live peacefully with one another, and second how to withstand the attacks of foreign enemies. In order to overcome these challenges God sent the twelve judges. Judges were local elders and military heroes chosen by God’s spirit to lead the Israelites in times of trouble. (Judges 265) The famous leaders although chosen by God all had their share of both vices and virtues. These vices and virtues can be seen in Samson, Jepthah, and Ehud. Perhaps one of the most popular judges is Samson. Samson was born in a way very similar to Jesus. Samson’s mother, although having a husband, was infertile and had no children. An angel was sent to her and proclaimed, “ Though you are barren and have had no children, yet you will conceive …show more content…
Despite being a product of sin God still chose Jephthah to save Israel. In order for Jephthah to defeat Israel’s foe, the Ammonites, at the time of his judging he made a vow to God. He vowed “If you deliver the Ammonites into my power whoever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites shall belong to the Lord. I shall offer him up as a holocaust.” God honored this vow and delivered the Ammonites to Jephthah solidifying his status as leader and judge. When Jephthah returns home to honor his half it is his virgin daughter who comes out of his door to greet him. Jephthah explained to his daughter who agreed and carried out the rest of the deal. This sacrifice has now become a part of a custom for Israelite women to mourn for four days out of the year the death of the daughter of Jephthah. (Judges