Book Review: "Distressing Days of the Judges" by Leon Wood

This book, published in 1975 by Zondervan, is a wonderful work. Buy this book, even if you have to pay a “pretty penny,” since it is out of print.

Distressing Days of the Judges, as its name implies, discusses the extremely important period of time between the death of Joshua and the beginning of the monarchy in Israel. However, it does not simply cover the book of Judges, it discusses the individual judges, including Eli and Samuel, whom we read about in First Samuel.

Since it does not just “cover” one book of the Bible, it is difficult to call it a commentary, but you will want to put it on your shelf with the commentaries for its rich content. A vast majority of the book is spent in the book of Judges, obviously, and the material could not be better.

The book is divided into two major sections. The first section deals with general information before and during the period of the judges. The most interesting of this material is the detailed information of the time leading up to the judges. Mr. Wood does a wonderful job discussing the “cycles” that occurred in the conquering of the Promised Land the years following.

The second section deals with the judges individually. Time is spent dealing with each judge’s family, work, conquests (if he or she had such), spirituality and other matters. Of course, the “minor judges” are lumped together, but you will find yourself learning much about these men who only have 2-3 verses written about them in the Bible.

Each chapter contains several sections about the life and work of the judge. Preachers will find a wealth of material to preach about each one, including many of the minor judges. If you teach a Bible class and are planning teaching about the judges, this book is easily read, but deeply researched.

The period of the judges teaches us so many important lessons. Allow me to quote the ending of Mr. Wood’s book as a way to show how important a study of this time period can be:

The general lesson of the judges is clear: when God’s ways are observed, blessing comes; when they are not, trouble sets in. Israel might have had so much that was good, but the people suffered so much that was distressing. The same story has been told in a multitude of lives since. It pays, for both time and eternity, to conduct one’s life in a manner pleasing to God. (page 404)

You will not find this book in bookstores. I bought my copy from Amazon.com, and had to pay fairly handsomely to get a good copy. I will assure you, though, it was well worth every penny.