Judges

The book of Judges recalls the “dark ages” of Israelite history – a period after the great leadership of Moses and Joshua had passed, and before the founding of the kingship. It was a period of anarchy, characterised by invasion and oppression from without, and idolatry and feuding from within. God had instructed his people before entering the Promised Land that they were to completely drive out the Canaanite tribes, otherwise they would be tempted to idolatry. That is exactly what happened, however, and in response to their disobedience God allowed the Canaanites to remain as a “thorn and a snare” to his people – to oppress them and tempt them. However, as the Israelites cried out to God, just as they had done in Egypt, he had pity on them and sent “judges” to save them and lead them. Far from perfect themselves, these leaders exhibited both the power of God for salvation and the human limitations and failings that remind us they were only a shadow of God’s ultimate saviour to come.

It is the third millenium. The world has changed. Climate, Nations, all were in upheaval. the Earth transformed into a poisonous, scorched dessert, known as “The Cursed Earth”. The world’s population has crowded into a few Megacities, where it created a violence so powerful, the justice system could not control. Law as we knew it, colapsed. From the decay, rose a new order, a new style of justice enforcers. They were the police, jury and executioner all in one. They were, The Judges.

Judge Dredd, Hollywood Pictures