Deuteronomic cycle

The Deuteronomic Cycle in Judges

In the accounts of the major judges are a description of a cycle of rebellion, oppression, repentance, and deliverance in which “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). The cycle of sin against Yahweh, Yahweh becoming angry at Israel, Israel repenting, and the cycle repeating itself , known as the Deuteronomic cycle is illustrated below.

The Setting for the Deuteronomic Cycle (Judges 2:6-10)

Judges 2:6 Joshua sent the people away, and the Israelites went to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. 2:7 The people worshiped the LORD throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the LORD’S great works He had done for Israel. 2:8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110. 2:9 They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 2:10 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works He had done for Israel.

1. Israel turns from the Lord and served other gods (Judges 2:11-13)

2:11 The Israelites did what was evil in the LORD’S sight. They worshiped the Baals. 2:12 and abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They infuriated the LORD. 2:13 for they abandoned Him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.

2. The Lord becomes angry and allows Israel to be oppressed (Judges 2:14-15)

2:14 The LORD’S anger burned against Israel, and He handed them over to marauders who raided them. He sold them to the enemies around them, so that they could no longer resist their enemies. 2:15 Whenever the Israelites went out, the LORD was against them and brought disaster |on them|, just as He had promised and sworn to them. So they suffered greatly.

3. Israel cries out for a deliverer and the Lord raises up a judge (Judges 2:16-18)

2:16 The LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, 2:17 but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’S commands. They did not do as their fathers did. 2:18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, the LORD was with him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive. The LORD was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them.

4. The cycle begins again when the judge died (2:19)

2:19 Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, going after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn from their |evil| practices or their obstinate ways (HCSB).

Apply the cycle to Judges 3:7-11. Read the outline above/ then type up the process according to the examples above. Your 4 parts should be shorter than the above examples because you only have5 verses to work with. Last answer question below. (times new roman 12) please type answers on the sheet not a separate sheet

Setting

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4.

Does the cycle have relevance for today? In other words, does the cycle of the judges help us understand human behavior today? Please limit your response to 150 words.

1. The people turn from the Lord

2. The Lord becomes angry and allows Israel to be oppressed

3. Israel cries out for a deliverer, the Lord raises up a judge

4. Israel repents and the cycle begins again