Judges: The Path from Chaos to Kingship

Flourish Bible Study

by Lydia Brownback

A 10-Week Study on the Book of Judges for Women In the book of Judges, the people of God were mired in sin―from murder and violence to lust and adultery. The dramatic journey to the promised land may feel like a blockbuster movie, but it’s a tragic story that illuminates the sinful nature of humanity. The Israelites’ waywardness threatened to lead them away from their blessing, but despite their disobedience, God’s undeserved grace endured. Join Lydia Brownback as she examines the biblical account of the twelve judges in this compelling, in-depth study. Reflect on God’s persistent grace as you see him carry the Israelites through Canaan and prepare them for his great purpose. The Flourish Bible Study series equips women to study the overarching storyline of the Bible book by book. Designed for individual or group use, each 10-week workbook features conversational teaching that aims to make in-depth Bible study accessible to women in all seasons of life, along with practical application questions and additional recommended resources.

Genres: Christian

128 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2021

About the author

Lydia Brownback (MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary) serves as a senior editor at Crossway in Wheaton, Illinois, and an author and speaker at women’s conferences around the world. Lydia previously served as writer in residence for Alistair Begg and as producer of the Bible Study Hour radio program with James Montgomery Boice.

Reviews

[Erin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal study guide for the book of Judges! I have such a deeper understanding of not only the people, events, and culture, but also a deeper appreciation of God’s grace and goodness in the midst of sin and a broken world. I love how Lydia always ties in Scripture from the Old and New Testaments, and gives insight to passages that left me wondering “what am I supposed to get out of this”. But above all, she does a fantastic job of highlighting God’s character and hope in Christ when the world is dark. Highly recommend!

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Judges: The Path from Chaos to Kingship” is the ninth book I’ve read in the 11-book Flourish series. I am enjoying this paperback Bible study series tremendously. I love the presentation, depth, research, and meaning Lydia Brownback puts into each study, and I look forward to covering the rest of them. (The lovely covers look so nice and uniform on my shelf as well!)

This study focuses a lot on the sin of humanity as the people journey to the promised land. It tells of the twelve judges during this time and how God’s grace carries the Israelites through the difficult journey.

I highly recommend this entire series. I only wish there was a Flourish study for each book of the Bible—both the Old and New Testaments. If you enjoy studying the Old Testament, this series of studies is a blessing.

Series: Flourish Bible Study
Genre: Christian Bible Study, Non-fiction
Author: Lydia Brownback
Page Count: 128

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Annie Sostok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept by His grace, because of His love.

[Brooke Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad I was able to study the book of Judges in this way and this deeply. It really did paint a picture for how cohesive the Bible is in writing the story of Jesus. Highly recommend!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done Christian study on the book of Judges. Brownback did a lot of research to show the context behind the stories. She made it clear that the judges weren't legal counsel like judges today. They were deliverers sent by God to save His people from oppressive enemies.

Judges starts with Israel needing to clear the land of godless groups and how they failed to do it. I wonder how different the world would be today if they had trusted God and succeeded?The book of Judges shows God's faithfulness in the face of Israel's continued idolatry, independence, disobedience and unbelief. Judges shows what happens when Israel has no king, few prophets and no god-fearing priests. I was surprised that the judges weren't necessarily godly people, except for Deborah. The others followed God at times, and were used by God in battles, but each had some kind of bad flaws in their character.

I think Brownback did a good job summarizing a lot of material and keeping the point of each lesson clear. Judges is not an uplifting study unless you focus on God and His faithfulness to Israel when they were unfaithful over and over again.

I just wish this workbook had dealt with some of the topics more like what does it mean to worship God in spirit and truth? I also wish this study had a Hebraic context or that the author had consulted Jewish sources in her research. I only see a Christian perspective in the text, no Hebraic thoughts, and I don't think the pronunciation guide on page 14 pronounces the words with proper Hebrew sounds and vowels.

Good study for information, but my group didn't see the parallels to our current time. No one spoke about being convicted for doing what was right in their own eyes, or needing God as a Sovereign King to keep us from idols and sin. I think we're just like Israel and need the same counsel.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Bible Study! Walks through the story of Israel’s obedience and disobedience and how the Lord remained with them in forgiveness and help. Points to the need for a true, everlasting king…Jesus!

[Emma S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great study series. Good individually but i think would work best for groups. Brownback has really thought about application, which i really appreciated, and links Judges well with the rest of the Bible.

[C.E. Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this entire Bible Study series

[Deb Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5/5)
Didn't really enjoy this study

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful study for understanding the book of Judges and seeing our great need for a Savior!

[Elizabeth Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bible study points to everyone’s need for salvation through Jesus Christ as you study the sin cycle of Israel and how a faithful God raises up deliverers for them.