The book of Judges covers the historic period of the nation of Israel from the time of the death of Joshua, to the beginning of the kings.  Just how long a period of time that actually was is a matter of dispute among the scholars.  But it is generally accepted that the period of time is about 300 to 400 years. 

    There were thirteen different judges that God raised up in the time of spiritual declension.  As God would raise up the judge, there would be spiritual revival.  During the times of spiritual declension, the nation of Israel would go into captivity.  During the time of spiritual revival, God would give them victory over their enemies.  And inasmuch as there were thirteen judges, you see the yo-yo that we’re on: thirteen declensions and thirteen revivals, thirteen periods of captivity, thirteen periods of being delivered from the oppression of the enemy.  But what lessons there are to be learned in the book of Judges. 
   
    The book of Judges begins much like the book of Joshua.  Joshua begins: Now after the death of Moses.  The book of Judges begins: Now after the death of Joshua.  The book of Judges, in chapter 2, records the death of Joshua.  And the book of Judges is a little difficult because it does not follow a precise chronological order.  It begins: Now after the death of Joshua.  Then it tells you of the death of Joshua in chapter 2.  So we go back and pick up a little bit of the book of Joshua: Caleb’s capture of the city of Hebron, and all. 

    Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?  And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.
 
    Now, how did the Lord say this?  They asked the LORD, “Who shall go up first?”   Joshua had led them into the conquest of the land.  He had apportioned out the various territories, but they had not totally driven out the enemy.  They had not yet possessed all of the territory that God had given to them.  “So now, after the death of Joshua, lets go on and lets take the land.”  “Who shall go up first?” 

    The LORD spoke to them through the Urim and the Thummim that was worn by the priest.  They would ask a question that could be answered yes or no.  So as they would go through, ‘Who shall go up first, the tribe of Benjamin?’   “No.”  ‘The tribe of Ephraim?’  “No.”  ‘The tribe of Manasseh?’  “No.”  ‘The tribe of Judah?’  “Yes.”  ‘Will you deliver the enemies into their hands?’  “Yes.”  And so they were “yes” and “no” answers by which they inquired of the LORD.  Just how the “yes” or “no” was ascertained is something of speculation.  We do not know for sure what the Urim and Thummin were used.  The Hebrew is, “lights and perfection’s.”  But just what it is, is only a matter of speculation.  But somehow, by the priest, they would inquire of the LORD and get directions concerning their battles. 

    We find David doing this quite often: seeking the counsel of the LORD as to the battles and what the outcomes of the battles would be. 

    So, it was indicated by the LORD that Judah should go up first, and that God has delivered the land into his hand.