OT Jewish Cycle

 ~ Israel’s Religious Cycle ~

Prolog  ~  The nation of Israel’s history as recorded throughout the Old Testament is a repetitive cycle (especially clear in the book of Judges) — this history is not unlike many Christians today.

Illustrative Scripture  ~  “Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.  Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them.  They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do so.  And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them.  And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them.  They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way” (Judges 2:16-19).

The Cycle  ~  Rest > Rebellion > Retribution > Repentance > Restoration> Rest

Rest – During Joshua’s lifetime and for some years afterward, Israel served God and enjoyed the blessings of their rest land.  This is where the book of Judges begins. 

Rebellion – When a new generation arose, they divorced themselves from God and, in rebellion against Him, took on the ways of the idolatrous Canaanites. 

Retribution – Just as He said He would, God withdrew His protection and power from Israel and delivered they into the hands of foreign oppressors.

Repentance – Then the Israelites repented of their sin and cried to God for help (c.f. Judges 3:9, 10:10 especially clear in the KJV). 

Restoration -  God raised up a judge to deliver His people from their oppressor and to lead them back to a life of fellowship with Him—back to the beginning of the cycle. 

Rest  ~  The cycle starts over~   

Key Lessons  ~  The cycle accentuates two prominent lines of truth: first, the desperate sickness of the human heart, revealing its ingratitude, stubbornness, rebellion, and folly.  Additionally, God’s long-suffering, patience, love, and mercy. 

Examples  ~  Key:  Cycle # – Passage – Oppressors – Judges 

1 – Judges 3:8-11 – Mesopotamians – Othniel

2 – Judges 3:12-31 – Moabites – Ehud, Shamgar

3 – Judges 4:1-5:31 – Canaanites – Deborah with Barak

4 – Judges 6:1-10:5 – Midianites – Gideon, Tola, Jair 

5 – Judges 10:6-12:15 – Ammonites – Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon

6 – Judges 13:1-16:31 – Philistines – Samson

Credit  ~  This post relies heavily on the excellent work done by Irving L. Jensen that is included in his book entitled Jensen’s Survey of the Old Testament. 

Epilog  ~  If you enjoyed this post you might find two previous Abundant Life Now posts also interesting: Does History Repeat Itself? (January 25, 2011) and EXTRA: USA Today, 1of4 (September 26, 2016).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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