The Judges

1. The Judges 6th Grade Religion Mrs. Moschetto

2. Who were the Judges? • The Judges were the voice of God after Joshua but before the Kings. • Judges were chosen based on their leadership qualities and their human strength. • These men and women helped the Israelites conquer the Promised Land of Canaan. • Judges were men and women of great FAITH and TRUST in God, even in times of trial.

3. What do we learn from the Judges? • The stories of the Judges are lessons in God’s love and faithfulness to his people. • These are not lessons in history but religious lessons. • We should be amazed at how often God showed his merciful love when his people turned away from him. • These stories remind us that God can use ANYONE to fulfill his divine plan to bring all people back to him.

4. Gideon • The Israelites were trying to live in peace, but there were tribes who raided their crops and destroyed the food. • These enemies also captured the Israelites, enslaved them, and forced them to worship the false Gods. • Although many Israelites worshipped the false Gods in order to be left alone, Gideon did not.

5. Gideon is called • Gideon was called by God to be a witness to God’s faithfulness even though Gideon was small and weak. • With God, he destroyed the altar to Baal and lead the Israelites into battle against the pagan tribes who were harassing the Israelites. • God showed Gideon a plan that would scare and confuse his enemies. They attacked at night, scaring the enemy with loud horns, fire, and swords • Gideon proved to be an IMAGE of God when he trusted God to win the battle against 1000 with only 300 men!

6. Samson ! • Samson was a Judge for over 20 years. • Samson was chosen by God because of his great strength and courage. • The Philistines were a constant threat to the Israelites during Samson’s time as a Judge. • The Philistines recruited a beautiful woman to help them get rid of Samson. Her name was Delilah.

7. Where did Samson get his Strength? • Delilah was asked to learn the secret to Samson’s strength—which was believed to be his hair! • He had been instructed by God NOT to cut his hair as an act of obedience and a show of faith and trust in God. • Delilah tried three times to find out his secret; finally she got Samson to tell her. • She cut off his hair and he lost all his strength.

8. What happened to Samson? • The Philistines dragged Samson away and tortured him. They could finally destroy the Israelites now that their military leader was a prisoner. • Samson called out to God, who gave him the strength to pulled down the giant columns he was chained to. The Philistine leaders and many in the army were killed. • Samson’s hair was only a SIGN of his faith in God. When Samson called to God, God was faithful and worked through Samson to save the Israelites from their enemies.

9. Women of Faith • The stories of women in bible show us how God helped women rise above their limitations when they showed their faith in Him. • All of the women in our stories were brave and faithful. They were NOT AFRAID to express their faith in God, and to act as images of God.

10. The Prophetess Deborah! • Deborah was the judge during a time when the Canaanites were oppressing Israel. • Many Israelites were afraid of the Canaanites, and worshipped their Gods to try and please them. • Deborah told a man named Barak to lead an attack against the powerful Canaanite leader, a man named Sisera. • She told Barak that the Israelite army would win the fight, but the final victory over Sisera would be from a single woman!

11. Deborah and Jael • When the Canaanite army was defeated, Sisera escaped and hid in the tent of a woman named Jael. • Jael’s husband was a friend of Sisera, but Sisera did not know that Jael was an Israelite faithful to God! • After Sisera fell asleep, Jael killed him by driving a tent stake through his head!

12. Judith, Cunning and Courageous! • Like Jael, Judith showed cunning and courage in the face of great danger. • She went out alone against a great army to save her people. • When a man named Holofernes had surrounded an Israelite city and cut off all food and water, the people were ready to surrender.

13. Judith shows great faith • Judith convinced the leaders of the surrounded city to continue to have faith in God. • The people prayed to God, and he sent Judith—alone—to meet the head of the army. • She acted like she was going to betray her people, and because she was so beautiful and spoke well, Holofernestrusted her.

14. The final trick! • Judith praised Holofernes, told him he was awesome and fearless. • She convinced him that God would NOT help the Israelites. He believed her. • Holofernes threw a big party to celebrate their victory over the Israelites, even though the battle had not been fought! • During the night, Judith killed Holofernes. Without their leader, the army fell apart and the Israelites were able to chase them away!

15. Ruth, Loyal and Faithful • The Book of Ruth is a message about true faith in God. • It proves to us that Faith is what matters • Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile (someone who is NOT from the tribe of Israel), God loves you! • Ruth married an Israelite man who had come to her country during a time of famine.

16. How did Ruth come to know God? • While this Israelite family lived in Moab, the sons married Moabite women. Ruth was one of the women. • Ruth learned about the God of Israel from her husband, his brother, and their mother. • Before the famine ended, Ruth’s husband and his brother, died! • Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, wanted to go back to her own people.

17. Faithfulness • Naomi told her daughter-in-laws they should stay in Moab with their own families. • Ruth had chosen the God of Israel as her own, and was loyal to Him and Naomi. • The two women traveled back to Bethlehem, the town where Naomi had grown up. • They survived on the leftover grain that Ruth collected each day.

18. Ruth: great grandmother of a King! • Ruth’s loyalty and faithfulness were noticed by a wealthy land-owner, and distant cousin of Naomi. • Boaz returned Ruth’s kindness. He cared for her and loved her. • Ruth became the mother of Obed who’s son was Jesse. • Jesse would be the father of a young boy named DAVID! (Ruth = David’s Great granny!)

19. Do you remember? • Who were the Judges? • What do we learn from the Judges about Faith? • Which judge was weak, but defeated a huge army through a cool plan? • Which judge was captured, but called out to God? • Which women were cunning and courageous? How did they prove their courage? • What did Ruth do to show loyalty and faithfulness? • Does God want all people to be with him in heaven?

20. Our Blessed Mother: what to know • The Immaculate Conception • The Incarnation • The Annunciation • The Visitation • The Nativity • The Presentation • Human and Divine Natures of Jesus