FAIR

FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 22: May 25 - 31: "The Lord Raised Up a Deliverer"

Judges 2-4; 6-8; 13-16

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading

In Judges, Israel repeatedly fell into sin, yet the Lord did not abandon them. When they cried unto Him, “the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them” (Judges 2:16), showing His patience and long-suffering love. This pattern teaches that repentance invites divine help and renewal.

The judges were temporary saviors who freed Israel from physical oppression, but they symbolize Christ’s eternal power to redeem us spiritually. The Lord “was moved to pity by their groaning” (Judges 2:18), reminding us that He continues to provide deliverance through His Son. We can trust Him to rescue us from sin and despair.

Gideon doubted his ability and felt unworthy, yet the Lord saw what he could become. The Lord told him, “Go in this thy might… have not I sent thee?” (Judges 6:14). God often works through weakness so that His power is clearly shown. This teaches that divine strength is greater than personal limitation.

Gideon’s success was not based on numbers or military strength, but on trusting God’s direction. The Lord promised, “Surely I will be with thee” (Judges 6:16), showing that God’s presence—not human strength—brings victory. When we act in faith, the Lord magnifies our efforts beyond what seems possible.

Samson’s Nazarite covenant was connected to the strength the Lord gave him. When he broke his promises, he lost the power that had sustained him, showing that covenant blessings require faithfulness. Samson’s life teaches that disobedience separates us from divine help (Judges 16:20).

Though Samson fell through poor choices, his final turning to the Lord shows that God’s mercy remains available. In his last moments, Samson prayed, “O Lord God, remember me… strengthen me” (Judges 16:28). The Lord hears sincere prayers, even from those who have stumbled, offering hope of restoration through Christ.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The book of Judges takes place after Joshua’s death, during a time when Israel was living in the promised land but had no central government or king. The tribes were scattered across the land and often surrounded by hostile nations who influenced their worship and culture.

Israel repeatedly turned away from the Lord and adopted the idolatry of surrounding peoples. Because of their disobedience, they fell into oppression by enemy nations. Each time they repented and cried out, the Lord raised up judges—divinely appointed leaders—to deliver them and restore peace for a season (Judges 2:16–19).

  • This era reveals a recurring spiritual cycle: sin, suffering, repentance, and deliverance. It highlights both Israel’s weakness in remaining faithful and the Lord’s constant mercy in reaching out to save them despite repeated failure.
  • The book of Judges reminds us that spiritual drift is real, but so is God’s willingness to rescue. Even when people falter, the Lord continues to call, strengthen, and deliver those who turn back to Him.
  • Unlike later rulers in Israel, judges were temporary deliverers rather than permanent monarchs. They were called during crises, often when Israel was spiritually weakened and politically oppressed. Their leadership shows that God works through chosen individuals to accomplish His purposes, even in unstable or difficult times.
  •  
  • Gideon is an example of a reluctant servant who felt inadequate, yet the Lord called him to deliver Israel (Judges 6:14–16). This teaches that God’s call is based on His power, not our confidence. He qualifies those He calls.
  •  
  • Deborah’s role demonstrates that the Lord can raise righteous leaders in unexpected ways (Judges 4:4–7). Her faith and courage show that spiritual authority comes through obedience and inspiration, not social position.
  • Samson was set apart from birth through a Nazarite covenant, and his strength was a divine gift tied to that consecration. However, his repeated compromises and disregard for sacred commitments led to spiritual and physical downfall. His life shows that divine gifts require spiritual discipline and faithfulness.

     

  • Samson’s loss of strength was not simply physical—it symbolized the loss of God’s sustaining power when covenants are broken (Judges 16:20). This teaches that covenant blessings are inseparably connected to loyalty and obedience.
  •  
  • Even so, Samson’s final prayer reveals that God still hears those who turn back in humility (Judges 16:28). His story reminds us that repentance invites mercy, and God can still accomplish His purposes even after failure.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “God approved of war and harsh violence through the judges.”
  2.  
  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: Judges describes a morally chaotic period in Israel’s history, not an ideal society. The violence reflects the instability of the ancient Near East, where tribal conflict and oppression were constant realities. The book often portrays these events as tragic consequences of Israel’s disobedience, not divine approval.
  5.  
  6. Eyewitness Support: The text itself repeatedly emphasizes Israel’s spiritual decline, noting that “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (later in Judges), showing the author’s critical perspective. These stories are preserved as warnings rather than celebrations of violence.
  7.  
  8. Spiritual Confirmation: Scripture consistently teaches that the Lord is “merciful and gracious,” and His deliverance is motivated by compassion, not cruelty (Judges 2:18). Readers are invited to see God’s patience in rescuing people despite their failures.
  9.  
  10. Logical Analysis: Describing violence is not the same as endorsing it. Judges functions as a record of what happens when covenant people abandon God, demonstrating the destructive outcomes of moral collapse.
  • Claim: “If Gideon or Samson were real servants of God, they wouldn’t have weaknesses or sins.”
  •  
  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Ancient Israel preserved these accounts with remarkable honesty, even when leaders appear imperfect. This reflects the Bible’s realism about human nature rather than mythmaking or propaganda.
  •  
  • Eyewitness Support: Gideon’s doubts and Samson’s failures are openly recorded, suggesting the authors were not inventing heroic legends but preserving authentic history (Judges 6:15; Judges 16:1–4).
  •  
  • Spiritual Confirmation:God repeatedly shows that He works through weak and humble individuals, reminding readers that deliverance comes from Him, not human perfection (Judges 6:16).
  •  
  • Logical Analysis: A flawed instrument does not invalidate the divine message. In fact, the imperfections strengthen credibility, showing God’s power operating through real people, not idealized heroes.
  • Claim: “Samson is a fictional superhero, not a real person.”
  •  
  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Samson’s narrative fits within the broader historical conflict between Israel and the Philistines, a well-documented enemy people in the region. The setting aligns with known geography and ancient cultural practices.
  •  
  • Eyewitness Support: The account includes specific tribal locations, family relationships, and repeated interactions with Philistine rulers, which resemble historical tradition rather than symbolic myth (Judges 13:24–25).
  •  
  • Spiritual Confirmation: Samson’s life emphasizes covenant responsibility and repentance, culminating in a prayer that reflects authentic spiritual struggle (Judges 16:28). These themes point beyond entertainment toward moral instruction.
  •  
  • Logical Analysis: Ancient myths typically glorify heroes, but Samson’s story is sobering and tragic, highlighting failure and consequence. That tone is more consistent with historical remembrance than legend.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Identify one daily habit that helps you stay spiritually anchored even when life feels stable.

Israel often forgot God after being delivered, which led them back into spiritual decline (Judges 2:10–12). Consistent spiritual habits protect us from drifting when things are going well. Faithfulness is easier to maintain when remembrance becomes routine.

  1. – Choose one simple daily act of devotion (prayer, scripture, gratitude journal).
  2. – Set a reminder or tie it to an existing routine (morning or bedtime).
  3. – Reflect weekly on how the Lord has helped you recently.
  4. – Ask yourself, “Am I remembering God in my comfort?”

Encouraging Thought:

The Lord continues to deliver His people, but He also invites them to remain close to Him afterward—not just in crisis.

Action Step: Bring one personal weakness or fear to the Lord and act in faith despite it.

Gideon believed he was too small and insignificant, but the Lord saw his potential and promised divine help (Judges 6:14–16). God often calls ordinary people to do hard things so they can learn that success comes through Him. Faith grows when we move forward with God’s support.

  1. – Write down something you feel unqualified to do.
  2. – Pray specifically for the Lord’s strength, not just relief.
  3. – Take one small step forward instead of waiting for confidence.
  4. – Notice how God strengthens you as you act.

Encouraging Thought:

“Surely I will be with thee” (Judges 6:16) is the Lord’s reassurance to all who feel weak but willing.

  • Action Step: Evaluate one area where you can be more faithful to the promises you’ve made with God.

Samson’s strength was connected to his covenant consecration, but compromise led to spiritual loss (Judges 16:20). Covenants are not restrictions—they are connections to divine power. Obedience keeps us close to the Lord’s sustaining strength.

  1. – Reflect on the covenants you’ve made (baptism, sacrament, temple).
  2. – Ask yourself where distractions or compromises may be weakening you.
  3. – Choose one specific change that strengthens covenant living.
  4. – Seek the Lord’s help daily through repentance and renewal.

Encouraging Thought:

  • Even after failure, Samson turned back to God and prayed, “Strengthen me” (Judges 16:28). The Lord still responds to sincere repentance.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners recognize the repeating cycle of sin, repentance, and deliverance in Judges and apply it to their own spiritual lives.

  1. Whiteboard or paper
  2. Marker or pen
  3. Scriptures

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Draw a simple circle labeled: Peace → Forgetting God → Trouble → Crying Out → Deliverance → Peace. Ask learners: “Does this pattern feel familiar in life?”
  2.  
  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Judges 2:16–18 together. Discuss how the Lord responded each time Israel repented and cried out.
  4.  
  5. Application (5 min):  Invite learners to privately identify where they are in the cycle right now. Ask: “What helps you stay close to God even during peace?”

Follow-Up Question: What does this cycle teach you about God’s patience and your need for daily faithfulness?

Objective: Teach that God strengthens those who feel inadequate when they trust Him.

  1. Small object (stone, paperclip, etc.)
  2. Scriptures

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Hold up the small object and ask: “Could something this small make a difference?” Explain that Gideon felt small too.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Judges 6:14–16. Highlight the Lord’s words: “Surely I will be with thee.” Discuss why God chooses unlikely people.

Application (5 min): Invite learners to think of something hard they’ve been asked to do (serve, forgive, lead, change). Encourage them to write one step of faith they can take this week.

Follow-Up Question: How does knowing the Lord is with you change the way you face challenges?

Objective: Help learners understand that spiritual strength is connected to covenant faithfulness and repentance.

  1. Rope or string (optional object lesson)
  2. Scriptures

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Show a rope/string and explain: “This can represent our connection to God through covenants.” Ask: “What happens if the connection is weakened?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Judges 16:20 and discuss how Samson’s strength was lost through compromise. Then read Judges 16:28 and notice his turning back to God.

Application (5 min): Ask learners to reflect on what strengthens their connection to God (sacrament, prayer, repentance). Invite them to choose one covenant-related action to focus on this week.

Follow-Up Question: What helps you stay spiritually strong before you reach a breaking point?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • The Lord repeatedly delivers His people when they turn back to Him (Judges 2:16–18).

     

  • Spiritual drift happens when people forget God during seasons of peace (Judges 2:10–12).

     

  • God strengthens the weak and calls ordinary people to accomplish His purposes (Judges 6:14–16).

     

  • Covenant power is connected to faithfulness, and compromise leads to spiritual loss (Judges 16:20).

     

  • Repentance invites mercy, even after serious failure (Judges 16:28).
  •  
  • The judges serve as imperfect but real instruments pointing forward to Jesus Christ as the true Deliverer.
  • Why trust modern prophets?
  • God has always guided His people through called leaders, even in times of chaos. Just as the Lord “raised up judges” to deliver Israel (Judges 2:16), He continues to raise prophets today to teach, warn, and point us to Christ. Their role is not perfection, but divine calling and direction.
  •  
  • Why does God allow mistakes?
  • Judges shows that God works through imperfect people like Gideon and Samson. Human weakness does not cancel divine truth—it highlights that power comes from God, not the individual (Judges 6:16). The Lord allows agency and growth while still accomplishing His purposes through repentance and covenant mercy.

Judges 6:14–16 — God strengthens those He calls

Gospel Topics: Prophets (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) — Why prophets matter

Gospel Topics Library (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) — Doctrinal and historical answers