Abstract
Abstract Whereas interpreters agree that the book of Judges depicts an ever worsening pattern of moral degradation among the Israelite tribes—and God’s subsequent and serial punishments—few highlight that these military conflicts are pedagogical in purpose, rather than merely punitive. This article highlights how key texts in the introduction to the book of Judges (2:10, 2:22–3:4) foreground the issue of theological ignorance and Yhwh’s intention to address it. This pattern is especially clear in Judg 3–5, which culminates with the Song of Deborah and Barak. Delivered by a prophet as an authoritative exposition of the battle, the song trains the people of God to perceive him and their experiences rightly and offers them an opportunity—a test (2:22)—to respond rightly to such revelation.
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