Whenever the Israelites turn to God in their servitude, He brings about their deliverance by raising up a total of twelve men and one woman, traditionally called judges.

This word conveys to us the image of a courtroom judge. But these ″judges″ had no courtroom, wore no robes, and set no laws. Although they may have had some civil functions, they were military rather than judicial figures. Their primary function was to deliver the Israelites from the hands of those who had plundered them (v.16, NKJV)-they led the people against the enemy; then provided civil justice and leadership, settled disputes, and trusted in God to deal with problems. God also intended for them to be spiritual leaders within the nation, although nearly all of them were conspicuous failures in this regard.

Verse 18 gives three significant facts about the judges. First, God raised them up. They were not appointed by other human authorities or elected; they were divinely appointed. Second, God was with them. The ministry of the Holy Spirit was at work in their lives as God empowered them to carry out their tasks. This did not result in changed character-it was only power and enablement for a specific task. Third, God worked through the judges. They were channels for His activity. They were His gift to His people. Some of them are designated ″major judges″ because they served as political liberators and military leaders-Othniel, Ehud, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. Other judges served as local leaders or preservers of the peace, and are designated ″minor judges″-Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon.

During this period, Israel was a theocracy. There was a minimal form of government, and the major leaders were directly raised up and empowered by God, and answerable to Him. He was king in Israel.

Why did God raise up the judges? It would have been much easier to discard a people with a record of consistent failure. But God does not break His covenants, and He does not desert His people. In fact, as the people experience their rightly deserved judgment, we read, ″the LORD relented because of their groaning″ (v. 18).

What a beautiful insight into the heart of God! His people sin against Him. They rebel against Him and spurn His love. If God said, ″That's enough″, justice would have had no complaint. But when God saw Israel wallowing in her bondage of sin, His heart was moved with pity and love. Judges is full of the grace of God, the same grace and love that ultimately sent Jesus to the cross. His love keeps reaching out and out, even to the uttermost cost of Calvary.